Melody Match Review

Melody Match is a unique musical puzzle game. Although the concept can be reminiscent of the classic memory game, Match, Melody Match differs as it emphasizes replacing visuals with acoustics.

I have to admit that I went into this game with a little bit of trepidation. In my opinion I had long since past a desire to test my memory skills by flipping cards and trying to remember where they were. But Melody Match is not about matching images, it’s about matching music.

Suddenly I remembered that one of my favorite (long since gone) bands is “Husker Du” and they took their name from this type of game (the name translates to “Do You Remember”). I decided to give the game a chance.

And I’m very glad I did. As it turns out, Melody Match is far cry from boring little “match the picture” games. And the best surprise is that it’s as challenging for the brain as it is a treat for the ears.

Much about this game looks like the standard genre fare. There are cards and you flip them over, trying to find the two that match. But with this game it’s not your eyes that get a work out, it’s your ears..

As the cards flip over you hear a piece of music. And I should point out that the makers have put together an excellent selection of different music styles and all of them sound great.

Having to keep track of the different musical pieces is where the real challenge of the game comes. Hearing a few bars of Bach and trying to keep their position on the board in your mind is a very different kind of gaming experience. As the levels increase the music is more and more similar, making things really crazy.

The main game is known as “Arcade” mode and you do what you expect. Just keep going level after level (there are 50 of them). The more you go through them the more things you unlock.

Here’s where I have my only real gripe with this game. The very first thing you unlock is something that let’s you email your friends to tell them how cool the game is. I agree, the game is cool, but seriously… unlocking an email device. Ihave to admit that I felt a bit cheated.

The other unlockables are a bit better, at first a little bit better. You can unlock a global scoreboard (most times you just get those free). Then comes “Freeplay” (okay, that’s sort of cool). Now comes the good stuff, “Record” where you get to record your own sounds, a customizing feature that let’s you pick the cards, and even a “Speakout” device that let’s you record things to say after a level is done. Finally, we’re talking things worth unlocking.

But really, the game is cool without the unlocking features. The music is really good and the look of the game is professional. For those of you who have seen “Koi Pond”, you’ll like the water effects found in Melody Match.

One thing I’d love to see added to this game is a little educational background to the songs that are played. There is a lot of fun classical pieces in this game and it would be very nice to see (even unlock) some information about them. This would go along way towards making this app more than just a game. The idea certainly works for the non-classical pieces as well.

There is a real good mix of things in Melody Match. You’ve got one great sounding and looking game that provides a strong kick-in-the-brain challenge. Highly recommended if you like good puzzle games with music that will make you look like you’re in to culture. Pick it up and you’ll keep playing “one more level”.

The Good
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Sound is perfect
Game looks really good
Great challenge.

The Bad
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Some unlockable that should be standard
Could use a little educational background

Related posts:

1. Match 3D Flick Puzzle Review
2. Colorix: A Visually Stunning Match-Three Puzzler
3. Circletris: Tetris? Vertical Match-3? That’s in the Past!

Tags: classical music, memory match, music

Category: Games