Game: Avalon Jewels
Genre: Casual, Adventure, Indie
System: Steam (Windows) (also on mobile)
Developer|Publisher: Anawiki Games
Controller Support: No
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $9.99 | UK £8.50 | EU €9,99
Release Date: October 16th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Anawiki Games.
Avalon Jewels – Match -3 Addiction Returns
There was a time when match-3 puzzle games were simple pleasures. You paid once, you matched some gems, and you happily lost an eternity of your life without being asked for your wallet every five minutes. Over the years, especially on mobile, that formula became… something else entirely. Avalon Jewels feels like a deliberate step back to those earlier days, offering a complete match-3 experience at a single price point, with no microtransactions lurking in the shadows. That alone made me curious, and thankfully, the game backs that up with a very solid puzzle experience.
Avalon Jewels is available on mobile, but this Steam release feels designed for players who just want the puzzle gameplay without the usual modern baggage. It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it does polish it enough to remind you why matching colourful gems was so appealing in the first place.
A Fantasy Setup
The game wraps its puzzles in a light fantasy setting. You play as Merlin’s apprentice, journeying through the land of Avalon to restore balance after dark forces begin spreading trouble across the realm. It’s the sort of setup you’ve seen many times before, but it works well enough as a framing device.
You’re not really here for deep storytelling. The fantasy world exists to give some context, visual flavour, and a sense of progression as you move from one area to the next. Wizards, magical lands, and looming threats are all presented cleanly, without interrupting the main reason you’re playing: matching jewels.
Match-3 Done the Traditional Way
At its core, Avalon Jewels plays as you’d expect. You’re given a grid of colourful gems and a clear objective for each level. Sometimes you need to break ice blocks, sometimes clear gold plates, free trapped jewels from cages, or weaken monsters by matching gems beside them. Later levels layer these ideas together, gently increasing complexity without overwhelming you.
Matching three gems clears them. Matching four creates special jewels that wipe rows or columns. Matching five rewards you with a rainbow gem that clears all jewels of a selected colour. Combining special gems triggers satisfying chain reactions, with jewels cascading down the board and occasionally solving half the level for you in the process. Watching those accidental combos unfold never really gets old.
Moves are limited in most modes, which adds tension to keep you thinking without making the game feel punishing. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, there’s a mode that removes much of that pressure, letting you take your time and simply enjoy the puzzles. This can also be activated anytime in the options, an appealing prospect when difficulty starts to ramp up later.
Power Up
As you progress, Avalon Jewels introduces power-ups and abilities that help you out when things get tricky. These are purchased with in-game currency earned through play, not real money, which makes experimenting with them feel fun rather than calculated. You can shuffle the board, transform jewels into special ones, or target specific problem areas.
There are also small side activities between levels, like spinning a wheel to earn bonuses. These add a bit of variety without pulling focus away from the main puzzle flow. Importantly, everything here is optional. You never feel forced to engage with systems just to keep playing, which is refreshing.
One of the biggest strengths of the game is that it respects your time. You can play a few levels, put it down, and come back later without losing momentum. It’s equally easy to sit down and clear a long stretch in one go if you’re in the mood.
Decent Looks
Visually, Avalon Jewels is bright and inviting. The gems are clear and vibrant, and the fantasy backgrounds do their job. It looks exactly how you’d want a match-3 game to look.
The soundtrack is pleasant and unobtrusive, doing enough to support long play sessions without becoming tiring. Sound effects add weight to matches and combos, reinforcing that sense of progress with each successful move.
The game plays very well on the Steam Deck thanks to touch controls. Swiping gems directly feels natural and responsive, and it’s a great way to play if you want something handheld without losing comfort.
Conclusion – Many Hours Later
Avalon Jewels is a reminder of why match-3 games became popular in the first place. It offers a complete experience with plenty of content, varied objectives, and satisfying mechanics, all without asking for extra payments along the way. It’s familiar, comfortable, and easy to enjoy, especially if you’ve drifted away from the genre due to how aggressive it has become elsewhere.
It won’t surprise seasoned puzzle fans with bold new ideas. What it delivers is a well-made, feature-complete match-3 game that focuses on fun. If you’ve missed this style of puzzle game, Avalon Jewels is well worth your time.
Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot
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