Candy Crush Soda Saga Review
I’ve been wondering whether I should play the new Candy Crash game for a while now (Candy Crush Soda Saga), and I just couldn’t bring myself to press the install button. Not because I don’t like Candy Crush- on the contrary, I enjoy it just as much as most of you do, but that’s exactly why I wasn’t sure if it’s a good idea to start playing again. I was addicted to it when the first game came out and I was extremely satisfied when I played it, until I reached a certain level in which I couldn’t move forward unless I paid or asked for help from fellow friends/players from Facebook. Before reaching that point I had no idea I would be forced to stop so unexpectedly. I was prepared to reach extremely hard levels, but actually being blocked from moving forward really frustrated me and I decided to delete and forget all about it. Until now… because, who am I kidding? Once you experience it, it’s hard to stay away for too long!
So, when I saw Candy Crush Soda being featured on best games and being included on Editor’s Choice on the App Store, I made the decision to try it out knowing the “dangers” that awaited me.
Game Description
The developers have tried to make it clear that Candy Crush Soda is not a sequel to Candy Crush, like Bubble Witch Saga 2 was to Bubble Witch Saga. Instead Candy Crush Soda is a stand-alone game, Candy Crush’s partner. But whether you view it as a sequel or not, has no impact on the game itself.
Let’s see what is new on this all-new instalment: Candy Crush Soda Saga is the fresh (just like the soda) new game from King. In this new instalment the player will experience new candies, all-new combinations and game modes that were made specifically for Candy Crush Soda.
The familiar faces from the first game appear again together with a new set of characters. In this game the guide’s role has a new paper doll, Kimmy, the younger sister of first game's Tiffy. The gameplay is basically the same so those of you who are familiar with the concept won’t have a hard time learning how to play. The game’s rules go like this:
The player’s task is to match three colourful candies in order to progress. The candies have to be the same in order for this to work. Matching three of them is the minimum amount needed to erase them. Combining more than three, in various configurations, brings forth unique candies, which have each a different strength that mostly result in the eradication of a large amount of candies from the board, thus making it easier for you to clear the level. Familiar obstacles present themselves too, such as whipped cream blocks requiring multiple matches to clear, or liquorice laces locking away pieces.
The most obvious difference lies in the soda. As you match and erase candies, levels fill with colourful soda, which results to candies to float upwards, changing the board and making it easier or harder to match candies.
New Game Modes for CCS include: Soda – In which you switch bottles and candies to release purple soda and save the Candy Bears. There are also many variants for helping Candy Bears escape. After you clear a few levels, the game introduces Frosting and Honey.
In Frosting the player must match candies to smash the ice and clear the whole area in order to find the hidden Candy Bears (that look exactly like gummy bears) and then make matches on top of Candy Bears to set them free. In Honey the player must match candies next to the honey to release the Candy Bears that are trapped under it.
The game boards also got bigger and that way there are more options for matching candies.
There are also new candies and sublime new combinations:
If you match 4 candies in a square, a Swedish Fish is made. When you match the Swedish fish with same coloured candies it'll start floating to knock out a block which is very helpful. It is more powerful when you match it with other special candies. If you match 7 candies you create the remarkable Coloring Candy. During gameplay you’ll notice a few more additions and differences from the first game.
Of course, despite the enjoyment, there are still annoying moments that no matter how carefully you play, it is extremely hard to progress. In these cases, only luck or money can help you. My advice, from personal experience, is to not play for too long as that makes the frustration the main feeling instead of enjoyment.
Also, just like the previous installment, yet again you need Facebook friends to proceed. I find this very unfair as some players are luckier than others on that aspect. It’s sad that this hasn't changed this time too.
Even so, game experience is very pleasurable and fun. The graphics are vibrant detailed and of course colorful. The sound effects are amazing and probably the best thing in this game is the sound of popping candy. The familiar voice that says "Juicy" and other words when you succeed is here as well.
All in all, Candy Crash Soda is an addictive, time-killer game which you will either love or hate or probably both. One thing is for sure, you won’t get easily bored by it. Despite the frustration and unfairness you’ll experience in occasion, it’s way too enjoyable to stop once you start.
It’s available for both iOS and Android devices.
