For those who grew up in Sweden during the 70s and 80s, the cartoon character Tintin is a familiar figure. This resourceful reporter, known for his integrity, accompanied by Snowy, Captain Haddock, and the Thompson Twins, captivated audiences with thrilling global adventures. More recently, this Belgian icon has been the subject of a blockbuster film directed by Steven Spielberg, as well as contemporary criticism from Swedish librarians, and even legal scrutiny in Belgium, where he was ultimately exonerated in court.
Danish studio 5th Planet Games is perhaps most recognized for its current stewardship of Hugo, a character many recall from childhood. As children, players could call into a TV show and, using the DTMF tones of their telephone, control Hugo as he navigated perilous train tracks. The Kalaspuff game was another title released for the Amiga. More recently, the company released an endless-runner game featuring Hugo and Cristiano Ronaldo (which received a mixed reception). Initially, I approached their adaptation of Tintin’s adventures into a match-3 puzzle game with some skepticism. However, my experience with both the beta and final versions of Tintin Match led me to conclude that it is a polished, engaging, and highly entertaining title, exhibiting addictive qualities.
The core gameplay follows the classic match-3 formula. The lead developer’s prior experience at King, including work on Candy Crush Saga, is evident. Players familiar with King’s games will quickly grasp the mechanics. Matching at least three tiles of the same color clears them from the board. Extended chains and specific shapes create special tiles such as mushroom blasts, airplanes (which target specific tiles), and energy balls that eliminate all tiles of a given color. While the core mechanics offer no significant surprises, the game adheres to a proven and effective formula.
A novel element is the collection of environment fragments and character cards from the Tintin universe. These are used to construct small dioramas, providing a sense of progression (reminiscent of Super Mario Run, though primarily aesthetic). The initial adventure centers around the narrative of The Crab with the Golden Claws, suggesting that future content expansions will likely adapt other stories from the comic series.
As with titles like Candy Crush and Soda Crush, the core gameplay loop may not sustain extended play sessions. However, as a casual game, it’s well-suited for short bursts of entertainment, such as during commutes. While the initial levels are quite forgiving, the difficulty gradually increases, and the game becomes less generous with power-ups, potentially incentivizing the purchase of boosters. These in-app purchases range in price, with some high-end bundles reaching significant sums. However, these transactions are entirely optional and can be disabled, which is advisable for younger players or those concerned about overspending.
Tintin Match is a stylish, accessible, and engaging title – an excellent mobile game overall. Given its free-to-try nature, there is little reason not to explore it. It is available on Google Play and the App Store, and I recommend downloading and trying it.
