Sandbar Savior
Picture, if you will: you’re on a cruise with hundreds of your closest friends. Everyone around you parties harder than they ever have. But then- water everywhere! Your friends reach out in desperation before you too find yourself beneath the waves. You come-to on a loose piece of debris. Your only hope of survival is the sliding finger of some smartphone wielding demigod.
Who are you? What are the odds you’ll make it home alive? Such are the questions posed to the unfortunate souls starring in Sliding Seas by Mugshot Games Pty Ltd.
Out to Sea
Sliding Seas isn’t just a game featuring the combination-smashing style of Bejeweled or Candy Crush. It also adds in elements of the recently plentiful merge genre, making a satisfying puzzle experience.
Players aid cartoon castaways through sliding matching panels of ocean together. These panels form shallow depths that they stand on to have a chance at survival. Once enough are formed, shelters develop on these new islands. While these fundamentals may appear basic, their execution results in a satisfyingly engaging time on mobile.
Land Ahoy!
The best parts of Sliding Seas are the simplest. Gameplay from level to level is straightforward enough for familiarity and unique enough for repetition’s sake. Throughout gameplay, level completion results in unlocking new designs of cutesy castaways. You also receive new buildings and items to feature on your own island, hosting all of those whom you rescue. These light-sim elements really pad out the core game in a neat way.
While the game contains opportunity for microtransactions, I never felt their presence was overbearing. There’s a solid balance, offering plentiful free gameplay. Items to assist in puzzles are available early, but a few tries always feels sufficient to move on between levels. Of course, these do assist with combos that can be really satisfying to pull off, but missing that doesn’t feel like a limiting factor.
Watch Your Step
I really don’t have a lot to complain about with Sliding Seas. As someone who plays quite a variety of mobile games for reviews, titles like this can really be hit or miss. Either they’re so repetitive that they’re boring or repetitive enough to the point of addiction. I’m happy to report that Sliding Seas fills the latter definition. Levels are just different enough to always present something new. The sim elements are charming and the special castaways are as cute as they are highly collectible. With this game, one thing is certain. The only thing you’ll drown in here…is fun.
Is It Hardcore?
Yes!
Even with limited cartoon visuals, Sliding Seas manages to be one thing: fun! Players will feel the pure joy of satisfying combos and coast guarding in this easy to pick up puzzle game.
