Dialoop review, match-three puzzling goes rogue

I've spent countless hours playing match-three puzzlers on my phone, mindlessly swiping tiles as I commute to work or scroll through social media. But there's something about Dialoop, a low-budget Nintendo Switch indie title, that sets it apart from the usual fare. Released earlier this year to little fanfare on PC, Dialoop-The Roguelite Puzzle- has now made its way to the Switch, where its peculiar single-screen delights are well-suited to brief sessions on the go.

In the mid-1990s, Sony released Net Yaroze, a super-low-cost development kit designed to appeal to start-up indie studios and game programming hobbyists. This was a revolutionary move, giving small-time developers access to the burgeoning PlayStation userbase. As a result, the PSN Store was flooded with delightfully experimental, often budget-priced games. While this spirit of anarchic invention has largely departed for mobile, there are still console releases that embody those chaotic sensibilities. Dialoop is one such game, featuring intentionally blocky, Minecraft-esque heroes that include Robin Hood, Ishikawa Goemon, and Lana.

Dialoop's gameplay revolves around match-three puzzling, but with a twist. You can grab and drag any colored square on the board, moving rows and columns as often and as far as you like, with no time limit. You can also abandon any single move at any time with no penalty, letting you noodle about ad nauseam, experimenting with different combinations of pushes and pulls to line up as many combos as possible. The only limit is the number of turns you get, and your goal in each level is to beat a predefined score, which increases as you progress.

To aid you in your quest, you're assisted by relics, the game's nod to deck building. You purchase these relics in a shop that pops up between rounds, using coins earned by making matches. Relics can provide valuable bonuses, such as increased score multipliers or extra turns, making them a crucial part of your strategy. But be warned: relics can also be a double-edged sword, as they can sometimes hinder your progress more than help it.

Dialoop is a game that's perfect for brief sessions on the go. Its single-screen design and lack of time limits make it easy to pick up and put down whenever you want. And with its low budget price tag, it's a steal for fans of match-three puzzlers. While it may not be the most complex or challenging game out there, Dialoop's unique twist on the genre and its charming, blocky heroes make it a must-play for anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted experience.

Console games are often dominated by big-name releases, Dialoop is a refreshing reminder that there's still room for low-budget, indie titles to shine. With its innovative gameplay and charming design, Dialoop is a game that's sure to delight fans of match-three puzzlers and indie games alike. And who knows? Maybe it'll even inspire a new generation of developers to create their own offbeat, low-budget masterpieces.

As a writer, I'm always on the lookout for games that break the mold and offer something new and exciting. Dialoop is one such game, and I'm excited to see where its unique take on match-three puzzling will take it. With its low budget price tag and charming design, Dialoop is a game that's sure to please fans of indie games and match-three puzzlers alike.