lunes, 21 de septiembre de 2009

The Tao of Crushing Stones

"The Tao of Crushing Stones" is a puzzle game where you will fight the time to reach you points goal by grouping stones of the same color.

In this blog you will find gameplay explanations, hints and news about future updates. It is actually under construction so, if you don't find the information you need, please, be patient, we expect it to be completed soon.

If you have found any error, or have any doubt about the game, please contact us.

How to play

he goal

The goal of the game is to reach the points limit by dropping the blocks from the line into the game board, and grouping blocks of the same color. If the heap of blocks reach the top of the game board or the time is out, you lose.

The line

In the top of the screen there is a line of blocks where you can obtain the blocks to throw. You can move the line by pressing on it and sliding your finger left or right.
To throw a set of blocks:
  • Press on the line. A yellow cursor will appear over the line.
  • Move your finger down. A red dotted line will appear to aid you aiming at the game board. You can also move the line while you are aiming.
  • Release your finger. The cursor will dissappear and the selected blocks will fall. In the line, the fallen blocks will be replaced with three new blocks in the right part of the line.






The combos

To score, you have to group blocks of the same color; if you reach the combo limit, the grouped blocks will be destroyed and the points added to your actual score. The bigger number of blocks destroyed, the larger amount of points added. The blocks have to be side by side with other blocks (you can't make groups in diagonal).


The summary

At the beguining of each stage a summary of the stage will be displayed. In this summary you can see:
  • The number of points that you need to reach in order to win the game.
  • The time you have to complete the level.
  • The combo limit of the stage.
  • The number of different block colors that will appear.
  • The different special blocks that may appear.
  • The special rules applied to the level.

Game Modes

Standard Mode

The standard game mode is composed of a series of stages, each one composed of a sequence of substages. Finishing the last substage of a stage grants access to the next, and may add new features to the Time Mode.

Whenever you lose a game, your record will be saved, and you will have the opportunity of resume playing in the same substage where you lose. Next time you select the last stage played, you will be asked to continue from the last saved substage: I you accept, you will start a new game from the point where you lose (you won't retain neither total times nor total points).

Time Mode

The time mode consist of a single level without time limit and points limit. The goal of the level is to survive with the maximum amount of points.

Each minute, the level will increase, and a different rule will be added to the actual rules of the level:
  • Increased combo limit
  • Increased number of colors
  • Increased special block appearance probability
If you have unlocked the special rules, they may be applied also: each time it is applied, the activation frequency of the special rule will be increased.

Rankings

Whenever you lose a game (both in standard and time modes), you will be asked to introduce a name. This name will be used to save your record. If you introduce an empty name, it will be saved as "Anonymous".

You can check the records in the Ranking option of the menu. Two tables will be shown, one after the other, showing the top five records of each of the modes.

Special Rules


Some stages have special rules, applied from time to time. The higher the stage, the higher the frequency of activation. You can check whether a stage have special rules looking for its icons in the stage summary.

Rain

Whenever this rule is activated, the whole line will fall over the game board, and will be replaced with a new one.



Flood

Whenever this rule is activated, a complete line of blocks will appear at the bottom of the game board.



Wind

Whenever this rule is activated, all the blocks in the game board will be pushed in one direction.



Special Blocks

From time to time, some special blocks may appear in the line. To use a special block, make a combo next to it: the special block will be activated and then destroyed.

Stones

The stones cannot be grouped to make a combo, is not destroyed when activated, and may only be destroyed with special blocks.



Bomb

Activating a bomb will destroy every block adjacent to the bomb.



Arrows

Activating an arrow will destroy all the blocks in the same row (if the special block is horizontal) or in the same column (it it's vertical).