About Gem Swap
Gem Swap is a match-3 puzzle with 50 levels. Swap two neighbouring gems to line up three or more of a kind, watch them pop, and let the gems above tumble down into cascades. Every gem has its own toy shape as well as its own colour, so the board reads clearly for everyone. Each level has a goal and a limited number of moves.
Also called: match 3, jewel game, gem matching.
How to play Gem Swap
- Swap two neighbouring gems: drag one into the other, or tap one and then its neighbour. Arrow keys and Enter work too.
- A swap only counts if it lines up three or more of the same gem in a row or column. Otherwise the gems spring back and no move is used.
- Matched gems pop, the gems above fall into the gaps and new ones drop in from the top. Any new lines that form pop too, as a cascade.
- Meet the level goal shown above the board before your moves run out: a score, a number of one gem, all the jelly, all the crates or the gifts brought to the bottom.
- Finish with moves to spare for more stars. Every spare move is also worth 100 bonus points.
Rules
- Four in a line makes a line clearer. Four across makes one that clears its whole row; four down makes one that clears its whole column.
- An L or T shape (two lines of three sharing a gem) makes a bomb that clears the 3×3 square around it.
- Five in a line makes a colour bomb. Swap it with any gem to clear every gem of that colour.
- Swap two specials together for a combo: two line clearers clear a row and a column, a line clearer and a bomb clear three rows and three columns, two bombs clear a 5×5 square, a colour bomb turns every gem of the other special's colour into that special, and two colour bombs clear the board.
- A special that is caught in a blast or a match fires too, so specials can set each other off.
- Jelly sits under gems. Match or blast the gem on top to break one layer; double jelly needs two hits.
- Crates block their cell. A match next to a crate, or a blast over it, knocks it once; double crates need two knocks. Gems slide in diagonally under crates.
- Gifts cannot be matched. Clear the gems below them so they fall, and they are delivered when they reach the bottom row.
- The board never starts with a match and always has a move. If no swap is left, the board reshuffles for free.
- Stars: three for finishing with at least 30% of your moves left, two for at least 12%, one for any finish.
Gem Swap tips and strategy
- Work near the bottom. Matches low on the board move more gems and start more cascades than matches near the top.
- Before taking a plain three, look for a four or an L nearby. A special is worth several ordinary moves.
- Save specials for when they help the goal: a column clearer under a gift, a bomb in the middle of the jelly.
- Two specials next to each other are a combo waiting to happen. A colour bomb with a line clearer can empty half the board.
- On crate levels, remember that a match only knocks the crates it touches. Aim your matches along the crate edges.
- Stuck for ideas? Wait five seconds and the board will wiggle a good swap for you.
Gem Swap questions
Is every level the same for everyone?
Yes. Each level has its own fixed seed, so level 12 always starts with the same board, and the same swaps always bring down the same new gems. Every level was tested with a computer player to make sure it can be won.
How do I earn three stars?
Stars depend on how many moves you have left when you meet the goal. Finish with at least 30% of the level's moves unused for three stars, or 12% for two. Spare moves also add 100 points each to your score.
Can I play with colour blindness?
Yes. Every gem has its own shape as well as its own colour: circle, square, triangle, diamond, star and heart, so you can match by shape alone. The goals use the same shapes.
Is my progress saved?
Yes. Unlocked levels, your stars and best scores, and the level you are in the middle of are saved in this browser after every move. Close the tab and you carry on from the same board later.
Is Gem Swap free to play?
Yes. Gem Swap on Kultured Arcade is completely free: no download, no account and nothing to buy. It runs in any modern browser on a phone, tablet or computer.
Do I need to download Gem Swap?
No. It opens instantly in your browser and saves your progress on your device, so there is nothing to install and no sign-up.
Can I play Gem Swap on my phone?
Yes. The game fits your screen and works with touch as well as a mouse and keyboard, on iPhone, Android, tablets and computers.