Sparkle 2 is a match-three puzzle game set in a mysterious world of magic and wonder and that is basically the game in a nutshell. As I soon realised that the game will never change the gameplay mechanics throughout, it becomes apparent that this approach to the game has its advantages and disadvantages.
As I first sat down to play Sparkle 2, I had previously watched some game trailers so I could get a feel for what game I was about to play. The thought that continued to come to the forefront of my mind was that I had played a very similar game before on a recent mobile phone. This game was Zuma’s Revenge and this is basically what Sparkle 2 is. Having played Zuma’s Revenge for several hours on various commutes, I was able to grasp the concept of Sparkle 2 relatively quickly. While Sparkle 2 doesn’t do much wrong, it also doesn’t add much to a gaming concept which has been on the market for numerous years.
One of the aspects of Sparkle 2 which has no impact on the game at all is the story which it attempts to deliver. To begin with, you are sent on a quest to gather 5 keys from various locations and the game provides an almost RPG feeling to the occasion, but it adds nothing to the game. It may as well be a traditional level system as this offers no added benefit to the game. It feels as though that 10tons Ltd. have had to try and put something in this game to separate it from those that are similar, but this simply doesn’t work. The context of the quest “story” feels as though they’ve been a last minute decision and is something which doesn’t belong there.
While there are a few negatives, Sparkle 2 is a solid puzzle game. Although each level only lasts around two to three minutes, the action is fast-paced and requires you to look at the bigger picture and punishes those who can’t react quickly enough. As I first played Sparkle 2 the controls aren’t too clear and while it doesn’t offer a hint into how to get the most from the controls, the aiming mechanics are easy to use and feel satisfying while using the DualShock 4 controller. I couldn’t help thinking from time-to-time that the game may have been better by using a touchscreen device such as a tablet or the Vita. While there is a Vita version, which features cross-play with the PS4, I’m unsure if the Vita supports touch controls as I am yet to play that version.
One of the features which Sparkle 2 is eager to promote during gameplay is the customising of what unique skills you can use during each level. These are known as Enchantments and these offer skills such as seeing what coloured marbles will be appearing next, having used of a purple flame every ten shots which can destroy any colour of marbles and you can even make the game easier with one Enchantment. The game doesn’t have any difficulty levels to choose from so this may assist those who are finding the game too difficult.
Aside from one or two levels, I rarely had to repeat a level after I hadn’t managed to match up the marbles on time before they had been devoured by the dreaded black hole. The accessibility offered in Sparkle 2 may be down to the game’s history in the mobile gaming market. As we’ve seen with numerous titles recently games which originate from mobiles don’t always prove to be successful ports on consoles, but Sparkle 2‘s simple presentation and gameplay means that it appeals to all sorts of gamers.
Perhaps the only benefit the game has from the setting seems to be the wonderful soundtrack that accompanies it. While there isn’t a huge variation of the music while playing, the sense of dread and panic is increased as the music changes to a dramatic tune when your marbles are approaching the black hole. Although many of the puzzles seem the same thanks to the same gameplay mechanics being used throughout, the music is terrific and provides added tension when required. I’d go as far to say that it’s the finest aspect of Sparkle 2. As well as the game’s simple gameplay, the graphics and colours are vibrant, but not much else. Of course this is a port of games which originated from mobile and tablet devices, so don’t expect to be blown away with the graphics as they do the game no disservice, but better graphics aren’t required.
One of the features I can’t believe wasn’t included, especially for the console version, was that there are no leaderboards. A feature which isn’t really promoted is that the more chains you put together gives you a multiplier of how many marble matches you can execute in a row. This offers no benefit to the player besides the occasional trophy appearing if you can chain enough matches together. There is no scoring system and, although each level is randomly generated in terms of the marbles, this is something which could have driven more people to replay the game once you’ve complete a level, there is no real reason to replay through Sparkle 2 which is a huge shame. If there was a leaderboard feature or even a scoring system in place it would have been far better.
Sparkle 2 is a good action puzzle game. While not offering a variety in gameplay and an unnecessary story (of sorts), it is fun and easy to pick up and play. The main problem for me with Sparkle 2 is that we’ve already seen this type of game numerous times before and, even though it is fun to play, it’s something we’ve seen time and time again. With no real reason to replay through the levels again, Sparkle 2 is good but not as good as it could have been.
Sparkle 2 will be available on PS4 and PS Vita on May 20th and is already available on all Smartphone handsets and tablet devices.