In the Ocean of Games it is not easy today to make something new from a popular Genre.
A few days ago i reviewed LEGENDARY MAHJONG 1+2, who brought the Mahjong Genre on a new Level.
Another beloved Genre is the Match 3 one.
There are so many of them out there, mostly in the typical Stone changing Mode to get 3 or more in a Row to vanish them.
So, what can be really new, to put this Genre also on a new Level?
Here is your answer.

Welcome to ENGINEERING - MYSTERY OF THE ANCIENT CLOCK!

Lets short ENGINEERING - MYSTERY OF THE ANCIENT CLOCK to E-MOTAC, well sounds like a Star Wars Droid Name, i know, but it is easier for me.
So back to the Game.
What makes E-MOTAC different from other Match 3 Games?
Simple answer, the Gaming Mechanic.
While you have to change Stones to get a Row in other Games, you have to slide Rows horizontal and vertical to get 3 or more together.
In this case they don´t have to be a Row. Here it doesn´t matter in what form you bring them together.
Instead of stones you have to deal with different clock wheels.
A nice effect is, when you bring 3 or more together, they begin to spin.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2934373643

Your main Goal is to get Parts of an Ancient Chronograph to reconstruct it.
You get them mastering Level by Level.
This Level can be challenging, because you play against time.
But there are many different extras to activate and help you, like Dynamite.
But but but there are also Obstacles, like Chains that stop Rows from sliding.
You see, there is much Variety.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2934373807

The Graphics are wonderfull fluid and colourfull and nice done.
That goes also for the Sound.

Thanks to the Dev for inviting me to reconstruct the Chronograph.
You did a great Job with this new Gamemechanic.

And thank YOU for reading.

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engineering: mystery of the ancient clock is a match-3 from 2009. it's of the line-sliding variety (or whatever it's called), so plays like 10000000, you must build a boat, or the developer's own akhra: the treasures.

the in-game help explains the basics and the story in spotty english, but basically you're collecting parts of a clock. quick actions mean more points, matching bonuses grant more time, score, explosions or whatever. moving a row or column is only possible if it creates a match, which is match-3 101, but it took me a minute to realize here. also, matches don't have to be in a straight line or the usual shapes, any 3+ same-colored connected tile works.

there are 2 game modes, mid-level progress is saved in both. big game (cute) is the story with 33 levels, each followed by a 'click moving things fast' stage. ugh... fast game turned out to be not fast at all, it's endless mode. all 3 unexplained difficulty levels are timed (not applicable to 'fast game'). no level select, but they're all the same with higher goals, wouldn't be much point.

you'd expect the usual quality in presentation at least, these devs are no strangers to that either, but this game doesn't look or sound great. servicable graphics, good enough music, disappointing sound effects, and the story is not even illustrated, just text dumps (though the main menu background reflects progress with slight changes, that's nice at least). what's more, pop-up texts with score and bonuses constantly cover the board.

since it's almost as ancient as the title suggests, it runs in 1024x768, changing monitor resolution when it's in full screen. multiple player profiles and the usual settings, also available while playing: separate volumes, game cursor, fixed windowed mode (also 1024x768), and the dev's trademark 'next' button in every window instead of 'close' or 'ok'. a hint toggle would've been nice, as always. plus an untimed mode and skippable 'click fast' levels.

while this sliding match-3 variety is the least common on pc, overall it's way too basic and repetitive with no real redeeming qualities.

Match 3 + unique + UI = A different way to play match 3. Slide each row or column to match 3 or more of the same color. Some gears have special effects. I don't really get the mini game though.

https://youtu.be/hZYJujxHsBU

Rough around the edges would be underselling how many elements of this matching game appear unfinished and lack the ability to engage players in an interesting way.