Gameplay
Introduction
Welcome to Startup Match – A fun and engaging puzzle game where you match items to clear levels and complete objectives. In this game, everyday startup items replace traditional candies, creating a unique and relatable puzzle experience. This guide explains all the gameplay mechanics, special elements, and strategies you need to master the game.
Basic Mechanics
Matching Items
The core gameplay revolves around matching items of the same color. You can create matches by:
- Horizontal matches: 3 or more items in a row
- Vertical matches: 3 or more items in a column
- T-shaped matches: Items forming a T pattern
- L-shaped matches: Items forming an L pattern
When you match items, they are removed from the board and new items fall from above to fill the empty spaces.
Items
Master all 6 startup items and understand their unique roles:
🔴 Piggy Bank (Red)
Piggy banks help you save and manage your resources. Match red piggy banks with other piggy banks to collect rewards and progress.
☕ Coffee Mug (Blue)
Coffee mugs represent your morning brew and the startup hustle. Match blue coffee mugs with other mugs to energize your progress through levels.
🧩 Puzzle Piece (Green)
The foundation of problem-solving and innovation! These lime-green puzzle pieces represent the creative solutions needed to scale your startup. Match puzzle pieces with other pieces to unlock your potential.
💡 Light Bulb / Idea (Yellow)
The spark of innovation! These golden light bulbs represent the brilliant ideas and creative thinking that drive every successful startup. Match yellow ideas with other ideas to illuminate new opportunities and breakthrough solutions.
💜 Processor / Chip (Purple)
Processors represent the computing power, AI, and technological core that drives your startup forward. Match purple processors with other processors to enhance your systems and push innovation to the next level.
🟠 Currency Coin / Money (Orange)
The backbone of your startup’s economy! These coins represent the financial resources and cash needed to keep your business running and growing. Match orange coins with other coins to build your financial strength.
Special Items
➡️ Horizontal Striped Items
How to create: Match 4 items of the same color in a horizontal line.
Effect: When activated, these items destroy an entire row of items on the board.
⬇️ Vertical Striped Items
How to create: Match 4 items of the same color in a vertical line.
Effect: When activated, these items destroy an entire column of items on the board.
📦 Bundles
How to create: Match 5 items of the same color in a T-shaped or L-shaped pattern.
Effect: When activated, these bundled items (shown as doubled/integrated icons) destroy all items in a surrounding area (3×3 square). Bundles represent integrated product packages or combined services that create bigger impact.
🦄 Unicorn Blast
How to create: Match 5 items of the same color in a straight horizontal or vertical line.
Effect: When matched or combined with another item, it creates a magical unicorn blast that destroys all items of a matching color on the entire board. The most powerful special item in the game!
Board Elements & Obstacles
🏜️ Dragsand (Element)
Dragsand is a sticky substance that slows your progress and prevents movement. It is destroyed when a match occurs with the item trapped in dragsand. Be careful not to get stuck in the sand!
❄️ Ice (Obstacle)
Ice freezes items in place and can only be destroyed through matching. The item inside ice cannot be swapped.
🔗 Glued (Element)
Glued items are stuck in place with adhesive that prevents movement. It is destroyed when a match occurs with the glued item. Single layer of glue can be broken.
🔗🔗 Super-Glued (Element)
Double-layered adhesive that requires two separate matches to break free. After the first match, it reduces to just Glued status.
📦 Package / Delivery (Soft Obstacle)
Package blocks are soft obstacles that can be destroyed when a match happens in any adjacent tile. These delivery boxes need a gentle touch to process. Clear them to keep your shipping logistics flowing!
📚 Paperwork (Expanding Obstacle)
Paperwork stacks accumulate and spread to neighboring tiles each turn if not cleared. A match in an adjacent tile will reduce the paperwork pile. Clear the paperwork before administrative tasks overwhelm your board!
⬜ Unbreakable Blocks (Permanent Obstacle)
These blocks cannot be destroyed and will remain on the board for the entire level. Plan your strategy around them!
Collectables
Collectables appear on the board and must be moved to the bottom of the board to collect them.
💻 Workstation / Laptop
Every entrepreneur needs their trusty workstation! These laptops represent the tools and development environments needed to build your startup. Laptops must reach the bottom of the board through cascades to be collected.
🌳 Workspaces and More
The Supertree ecosystem of growth and community! These represent the physical and mentorship spaces where startups thrive, collaborate, and scale. Workspaces and More items must reach the bottom to unlock community benefits and accelerate growth.
Power-Ups & Boosters
🔨 Hammer (Single Destroy)
Effect: Destroys a single item of your choice. Usage: Click on the item you want to destroy before the level starts or during the level (if available). Perfect for eliminating troublesome obstacles quickly.
💣 Bomb (Area Destruction)
Effect: Destroys the selected item plus all 8 surrounding items. Usage: Perfect for clearing a concentrated area or triggering special effects in a larger region.
⚡ Swap / Exchange
Effect: Swaps two items of your choice. Usage: Allows you to make a move that normally wouldn’t be possible, creating strategic advantages to set up powerful combos.
🦄 Unicorn Blast Booster (Magical Power)
Effect: Creates a Unicorn Blast at the selected location. Usage: Instantly transforms one item into a powerful Unicorn Blast that can be matched with adjacent items for massive board clearing.
Combo System
Combining special items creates powerful effects that clear larger areas:
Horizontal + Horizontal Striped
Two horizontal striped items explode to destroy three consecutive rows instead of one.
Vertical + Vertical Striped
Two vertical striped items explode to destroy three consecutive columns instead of one.
Horizontal + Vertical Striped
A horizontal and vertical striped item combine to destroy both a full row AND a full column simultaneously.
Bundle + Bundle
Two bundles combine to destroy a much larger surrounding area (5×5 square or larger).
Bundle + Striped
A bundle combined with a striped item destroys three full rows AND three full columns.
Unicorn Blast + Striped
A Unicorn Blast combined with a striped item transforms all items of a matching color into striped items.
Unicorn Blast + Bundle
A Unicorn Blast combined with a bundle transforms all items of a matching color into bundles.
Unicorn Blast + Unicorn Blast
Two Unicorn Blasts combine to destroy ALL items remaining on the board – the ultimate magical power move!
Level Objectives
Each level has specific objectives you must complete to progress:
- Moves Remaining: Clear specific pieces within a limited number of moves
- Points Target: Achieve a minimum score to advance
- Element Clearing: Destroy all ice, dragsand, paperwork, or other elements on the board
- Collectables: Gather required workstations, workspaces, or other items
Tips & Strategies
- Plan Ahead: Look for opportunities to create special items before making moves. Think several moves ahead!
- Create Combos: Combining special items creates massive effects – prioritize this in your strategy for higher scores.
- Work from Bottom: Focus on moves at the bottom of the board to trigger cascades and chain reactions.
- Manage Obstacles: Clear obstacles (ice, dragsand, paperwork) strategically and early before they block your progress.
- Use Boosters Wisely: Save boosters for challenging moments or to create crucial combos that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.
- Deal with Paperwork: Paperwork spreads aggressively – make it a priority to clear it early in the level.
- Collect Cascades: Let items fall naturally to trigger chain reactions and earn bonus points.
- Watch Move Limits: Some levels have move restrictions – use your moves wisely and plan your matches.
Level Progression
To advance through levels, complete the objectives displayed on each level. As you progress, levels become increasingly challenging with:
- More obstacles and elements blocking your path
- Tighter move or time restrictions
- Complex board layouts with unbreakable blocks
- Unique combinations of mechanics that require creative thinking
Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be a Startup Match master!
Good luck and have fun solving puzzles! 🚀