Several times a year I tell myself that every possible manner of match-3 has been created. I am always wrong.  Last year’s summer release of Puzzle Quest 2 and its multiple variations of the match-3 mechanic was a reminder of how easily this simple premise could be used to create player-versus-player gameplay. Similarly, Atari’s new Facebook title Faeries vs. Darklings takes what could have been a simple arcade title and adds enough variation to keep the match-3 mechanic interesting, while including a touch of competition.

Faeries begins with a basic tutorial asking the player first choosing whether to protect the forest as Faerie or try to claim it as the Darklings. Choosing the dark side will cost a cool 1000 Atari Tokens, a player’s entire initial bankroll. On Tutorial Island, the player is walked through what makes FvD different from the typical match-3 title before being set loose on two additional islands to either claim or reclaim the forest, as the case may be.

Initially, the game feels very familiar. One need only complete the standard vertical or horizontal matches of 3-like colored icons. However, above the board the opposite faction is advancing, attempting to claim the forest. To the left of the board are 2-4 colored icons. These are the matches that must be made in order to ready a creature to battle the onslaught. Each colored icon has an attendant number from 3-12 indicating just how many must be cleared. Complete the series, and the creature becomes ready.

As time progresses, the second, third, and fourth wave requirements become visible, allowing more matches to count towards releasing creatures for battle. However, releasing creatures out of order will not halt the progression in any meaningful way. The first faerie is intended to fight the first darkling; the second to fight the second, and so on.

Waiting for multiple creatures at the ready and then releasing them in succession does give bonus points, which increases the player’s score. This becomes important when determining exactly which faction currently “owns” that area of the forest.

Unlike the aforementioned Puzzle Quest where all matches counted towards increasing Mana, Experience or Coin, FvD requires specific colors for an action to occur and not every board works particularly well. (I played a board that had a single match before it reset and then another single match, causing me to lose that particularly play-session). However, like Puzzle Quest there can be other considerations when playing; one does not always play to fight back the opposing faction.

Matches of four or more produce Tokens, allowing the player to earn micro-currency in game. This currency can be used to change factions or to purchase spells. There are six spells available for purchase and they can vary from exploding a 9X9 grid, an entire line, or scrambling the entire board. But spells are a rather special consideration in that they have three uses which must be used – one at a time – in the next three games, else they expire.  And spells are particularly useful – and eventually necessary – when trying to manage the high score for a particular board.

Having the highest score is more than just beating a friend; it determines what faction owns a piece of the forest. If I play as the Darklings, have the highest score from among 15 friends and then take Mount Nekkara, Mount Nekkara is then claimed by the Darklings. However, if I change factions, either I or another player for the Faerie faction must beat my high score to reclaim the forest.

Additional Atari Tokens can be purchased to purchase spells or to switch factions but the cost is prohibitive.  The tokens can be used in other Atari games. Whether the cost is a result of balance in other games is difficult to determine.

Though it has a compelling match-3 mechanic, Faeries vs. Darklings is missing the special something that might compel a player to come back on a regular basis. Player notifications are not currently active, but as a skill-based game, eventually the players will reach the Law of Diminishing Returns.   Such incremental change leaves little impetus to continue to compete. Faeries vs. Darklings is promising, but still needs more attention from Atari.