Crystal Cascade

How to play

Each level gives you a set number of moves and a goal shown at the top, like collecting gems or beating a boss. Every swap uses one move. Swap two neighbouring gems to line up three or more of the same kind. Reach the goal before your moves run out to open the next level. Your score decides how many stars you get, up to three.

On a computer, drag a gem onto its neighbour, or click one gem and then the other. Esc or P pauses. On a phone, swipe a gem toward its neighbour or tap two gems.

Tips and tricks

• Bigger matches forge special crystals. Match 4 for a Line Crystal, an L or T shape for a Burst Crystal, and 5 in a line for a Prism. From World 7, a 2x2 square makes a Comet.
• Swap two specials into each other for much stronger combos. Two Prisms together clear the whole board.
• Finish the goal with moves to spare. Leftover moves turn into a Crystal Rush of bonus points, the easiest way to reach three stars.
• Handle blockers that act after every move first. Clockwork Bombs count down to zero, Lava creeps to a new tile, and Black Holes swallow a gem next to them.
• On boss levels, every gem you shatter hurts the boss, and specials hit harder.
• Your pet charges up as you shatter gems. Tap it beside the boosters to use its power once per level. It never costs a move.

What makes it fun

Crystal Cascade keeps adding new ideas, from frost and vines early on to turning Rotors, spreading Glow and Black Holes later. Away from the map, Relax mode is endless, Time Rush starts at 90 seconds and grows with specials and combos, Puzzles need an exact number of moves, and Descent carries leftover moves down floor after floor.