When I received the email from the developer, Exit Studios that Lost Butterflies is “a twist of the traditional match four game”, I was like, “not again!”. Nevertheless, I downloaded the game through their promo code.
It sat in my springboard for a few days until my girlfriend started playing with it. It is indeed an entertaining twist of the traditional match four. We did enjoy playing the game (with me coaching her from behind) immensely. This is a review of Lost Butterflies HD ($0.99 via iTunes) by Exit Studios.
Video trailer is used with Exit Studio’s permission:
Lost Butterflies: The Mechanics
In a board you are give a set of colored butterflies in a gem, scattered in a 9×9 grid platform and all you have to do is move butterflies from one place to another to form four or more adjacent cells of the same color. The butterflies can move anywhere in the board, provided that there are no blockages (other butterflies and obstacles) on the way.
When they match, the butterflies are freed from the gem. It gets more interesting, though, because every move, existing colors replicate, therefore, if you take too many steps (or too long) to clear the board or meet your quota, it is game over for you.
And the levels go harder and harder when you advance… believe me.
Three Types of Gameplay
Levels vary in ways to clear which are represented by symbols in the level selection screen:
- Normal Mode where you would have to clear enough number from each butterfly color (butterflies replicate on a per move basis).
- Timed where you would have to clear all the butterflies before the board fills (butterflies replicate on a timed basis, not per move — hint: aim to clear one color before moving to another).
- Puzzle where you would have to clear all butterflies on a predetermined number of moves.
Introducing Powerups
With the addition of powerups, the game becomes even more interesting:
- Paint is my favourite where you can splash colored paint to a 3×3 grid square. What it does is it changes the color of the affected butterflies to the color of your paint. Super handy if you need to get rid of a few insects of the same color.
- Bomb removes butterflies and obstacles on a 3×3 grid square.
- Hammer removes a butterfly or obstacle.
- Time Stop which stops butterflies from regenerating for three turns
Worlds, worlds, worlds
What I love about lost butterflies the oodles of levels it offers for the asking price of one dollar. It currently boasts of 100 levels, twenty five for each of four different worlds – Atlantis, Egypt, Japan and Aztec.
To Sum Up
Lost Butterflies is like a breath of fresh air for matching puzzles. If you love a good puzzle game, don’t miss this one. Oh, and do not judge the book by its cover. Or rather the app by its icon.
Lost Butterflies HD at a Glance:
Pros: Tons of levels, great game mechanics, challenging levels
Cons: Won’t appeal to all gamers
The Point: Love a good puzzle game? Pick this one up. You won’t be disappointed.
Price: $0.99 for both iPhone and iPad
Download Links:
Lost Butterflies HD (iPad) / Lost Butterflies (iPhone)
