Chemistry in Games: Chem Merge Revisited

A while back I tested out an app called Chem Merge.  I wanted to do a quick update.  First, the full name in the Play Store is "Chem Merge Periodic Table Game" by Scienchro, although the on-screen icon still just says "Chem Merge".  It looks like it has had a graphics update since last time I played.

It's still fairly simple: drop new elements down into the grid and try to make matches.  Generally, you want to put the new block on top of the same block for a match or on top of a higher block, preferably only one number higher (put a 12 on top of a 13, for example) so another of that same block can clear both (another 12 would give 12+12 for a 13 then 13+14 for a 14).  If you put a block on top of a lower block, it will be hard to ever clear out that column -- you're only real move if a 15 is on top of a 12 would be to drop another 15 next to it to pull the 15 over to the next column and expose the 12 for further builds.

The power-ups on the bottom are:

- undo last move for 150 coins

- skip current piece for 50 coins

- destroy a piece for 150 coins

- swap two tiles for 200 coins

That final button on the right lets you buy skins for 200+ coins, but they are just different color blends, nothing I would bother with.  It would be a little more interesting if it had custom metallic frame designs named after elements, but I would rather focus my coins on actual gameplay.

You get 150 coins for daiky bonuses and 50 for each new element discovered with an option to watch a video for x3.  Or, just pay a few $$ for coins.  Right now 3000 coins costs $2.18, which will give you about 20 power-ups for many more moves.  So, it's not the kind of crazy pay-to-win option that most apps offer, more like "pay a tiny amount to win," or just let the game end and try again.  The top-rated players on the leaderboards have score in the 2 million range, so they must be using a lot of coins to keep those games going.

In any case, it's relaxing and not too complicated, and I've managed to reach rhodium (45) this time around.



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