Pearls of Atlantis

About

"Pearls of Atlantis" is a bubble shooter game with over 1,000 puzzles set underwater. Players must navigate obstacles and use power-ups to match pearls and collect magic charms to restore Atlantis. The game features a mermaid companion, Kaia, who guides players through the Cove of Memories as they uncover secrets of the underwater city.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

70%

Audience ScoreBased on 46 reviews

gameplay8 positive mentions

monetization10 negative mentions

The game features charming visuals and an enjoyable underwater environment, making it visually appealing.
Gameplay is addictive and offers a fun match-3 experience with interesting mechanics and daily challenges.
The music is pleasant and adds to the overall atmosphere, enhancing the gaming experience.

The game is heavily monetized, with paywalls and microtransactions that detract from the enjoyment.
The narrative is weak and feels non-existent, failing to engage players in the story of rebuilding Atlantis.
Gameplay can become repetitive and frustrating, with levels designed to push players towards spending money.

story
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
75%
13%
The story in *Pearls of Atlantis* is generally perceived as thin and simplistic, serving primarily as a backdrop to the gameplay rather than a compelling narrative. While some players find the storyline charming and appreciate its cute aesthetic, many feel it is skippable and only relevant for the rewards it provides. Overall, the story adds a light touch to the match-3 experience, but its repetitive nature and lack of depth detract from the overall enjoyment for some players.
- “Each level we complete allows us to collect a star; these stars are used to help Kaia progress through the story.”
- “I've played numerous games of this particular genre (including the original Bejeweled and Bubble Bobble games) and Pearls of Atlantis: The Cove is on par with these. It's well-paced, challenging enough once you're past the learning levels, the gameplay is excellent, and, as a crown on King Triton's statue, the little story added to it is charming. Definitely recommending this game for a calming moment now and then!”
- “I appreciate the storyline being cute and not too over the top, and the microtransactions are not at all intrusive - more so for cosmetics.”
- “The story is so thin you can barely see it, and the once-magical Atlantis now serves only as a lifeless backdrop to mind-numbing gameplay.”
- “Story is dumb and would be completely skippable except that it gives you rewards that allow you to continue playing.”
- “The story was kinda stupid but most of them are so I was overlooking it.”
gameplay
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
42%
25%
Gameplay reviews are mixed, with some players enjoying the balanced mechanics and challenging puzzles that ramp up nicely, while others criticize the repetitive nature and pay-to-win elements. The narrative is considered basic and often overshadowed by the gameplay experience, which some find mind-numbing and marred by waiting mechanics. Overall, while there are enjoyable aspects, many players express frustration with monetization and a lack of depth in the gameplay.
- “The gameplay was balanced, and the narrative, while basic, gave players a reason to care about rebuilding Atlantis.”
- “I've played numerous games of this particular genre (including the original Bejeweled and Bubble Bobble games) and Pearls of Atlantis: The Cove is on par with these. It's well-paced, challenging enough once you're past the learning levels, the gameplay is excellent, and, as a crown on King Triton's statue, the little story added to it is charming. Definitely recommending this game for a calming moment now and then!”
- “The level design is well thought out and allows you to experiment with the mechanics, chaining combos with gravity and causing explosive chain reactions.”
- “The story is so thin you can barely see it, and the once-magical Atlantis now serves only as a lifeless backdrop to mind-numbing gameplay.”
- “Gameplay: repetitive and pay-to-win.”
- “The gameplay’s a broken grinder.”
monetization
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
36%
45%
The monetization in the game has been widely criticized as excessive and manipulative, with many reviewers describing it as a "greedy cash grab" that detracts from the original experience. While some players find the microtransactions to be primarily cosmetic and not overly intrusive, the overall sentiment leans towards discontent with the aggressive monetization strategies, including a stamina system reminiscent of mobile games.
- “It's a fun puzzle spam game; it's got microtransactions and a 'stamina' system akin to modern mobile games.”
- “I appreciate the storyline being cute and not too over the top, and the microtransactions are not at all intrusive - more so for cosmetics.”
- “- A lot of monetization attempts around/outside of gameplay too.”
- “Fast forward to the cove, which feels like a greedy cash grab that abandons everything the original stood for.”
- “The game is bloated with monetization, and the soul of the original is long gone.”
- “If it weren't for the dark-pattern, manipulative monetization, it would be decent.”
graphics
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
30%
30%
The graphics are praised for their charming art style and beautiful underwater environments, with good artwork and cute animations enhancing the overall experience. However, while the visuals and music stand out as highlights, they are not enough to compensate for the game's other shortcomings.
- “Good artwork throughout each level.”
- “The story and animations are also cute; my girlfriend especially likes the mermaid aesthetic.”
- “Visuals and music: the only bright spots.”
- “The art style is charming, and the underwater world is beautiful.”
- “The story and animations are also cute, my girlfriend especially likes the mermaid aesthetic.”
music
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
The music in the game is described as atmospheric and pleasant, enhancing the overall experience despite the game's shortcomings. While it stands out as one of the few bright spots, it ultimately cannot compensate for other issues.
- “The music is pleasant to listen to while we are busy collecting pearls.”
- “Visuals and music: the only bright spots.”
- “The music is atmospheric and genuinely adds to the experience.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is enhanced by its atmospheric music, which significantly contributes to the overall experience.
- “The music is atmospheric and genuinely adds to the experience.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often required for players who do not wish to spend money. This suggests a heavy reliance on repetitive tasks to progress, particularly for free-to-play users.
- “If you’re not paying, you’re grinding.”
humor
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the humor in the game to be engaging and enjoyable, as evidenced by repeated laughter and positive reactions to specific moments, such as the line "nice one, triton!" This suggests that the game effectively incorporates comedic elements that resonate with players.
- “Eric: [laughing] 'Nice one, Triton!'”
character development
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers note that significant attention has been given to character designs, enhancing the overall aesthetic and immersion of the game. However, there is no mention of deeper character development or growth throughout the narrative.
- “Care has gone into the character designs and seascapes, which is a nice touch.”