Windin is a new match three iOS puzzler with a surprisingly strategic twist. Find out why this game is worth giving a go.
Since E3, we’ve seen an insane number of games released to the iOS app store. I normally wouldn’t waste time writing about yet another match-three release, but Windin offers a unique take on the genre, adding a level of strategic thought that will make it a quick favorite among puzzler fans.
The Windin game board is made of a five-by-five grid of squares that look like a checkerboard. At the bottom of the screen you will see two sets of checkers stacked two high. These are the pieces a player must place on the board each turn. The goal is to match three or more of the same colored checkers in a row. The color of the top checker is the color that applies to the square. If you manage to make a three (or more) in a row match, the checkers disappear, but there is the twist. At the top of the screen you’ll see a campground scene where a campfire is blazing. The campfire will have an arrow on it, indicating which direction the wind is blowing (up, down, left or right).
After you have placed your two sets of checkers, the wind will blow in the indicated direction. If there is an open space in the direction the wind is blowing, the top checker on a set will blow off into that open square. The addition of the wind is seemingly simple, but adds a strategic depth to the game that causes you to think harder about where your checkers may end up. If you get to the point where there are no more slots in which to drop your checkers, then the game ends.
In addition to great puzzler mechanics, Windin also offers beautiful graphics, serene sound effects and music that make playing extremely relaxing.
The scoring for the game is similar to most match-threes in that the larger the combo, the more points you earn or perks you add to the game board. The points and perks system are as follows:
3 Checker Match - 10 points for each checker
4 Checker Match - 15 points for each checker
Intersecting Match - 25 points per checker
5 Checker Match - Rainbow check appears that can match with any color.
Windin is free to download and play and doesn’t appear to be ad-supported, but there are various different power-up/tools you can unlock by reaching specific point amounts or paying for them on the app store. They are as follows:
Crosswinds - This power-up allows you to tap it to change the wind’s direction. Crosswinds is unlocked at 2500 points or you can purchase it for $0.99.
Whirlwind - This power allows you to flip the positions of two stacked checkers, placing the bottom checker on the top. Whirlwind is unlocked at 5000 points or you can purchase it for $0.99.
Lightning Strike - This power will break and remove a specific checker. Lightning Strike unlocked at 10,000 points or you can purchase it for $0.99.
Rainbow Bonanza - This power allows you change a selected checker, and two more of the same color to rainbow checkers. This would be awesome for getting out of some sticky spots. Rainbow Bonanza is unlocked at 25000 points or you can purchase it for $2.99.
While the game doesn’t currently have a level system of any kind, according to the developers, challenge modes are in the works, which will offer alternative ways of playing and enjoying the game. Windin is available now and free to download on the iOS app store. You can check it out, here.
