Magic Circus

Magic Circus builds its boards around obstacles rather than counts. Crystals come off three at a time, but what actually ends a level is clearing whatever stands in the way — and the game brings a great many of those, varied enough that the run avoids repeating itself.

Unlimited lives change what that difficulty means. A hard board becomes something to keep picking at instead of a gate that sends you away for twenty minutes, which is the right choice for a game where boards must be learned. Learning costs attempts, and here attempts are free.

The atmosphere carries the rest: a circus after dark, crystals catching the light, and enough mystery in the staging to hold a long list of levels together.

1. Look at which obstacles the level puts in your way.
2. Swap two neighbouring crystals to collect three of the same type.
3. Aim your matches at the obstacles rather than at open board.
4. Retry freely — lives are unlimited.

Treat your first run at a stubborn board as reconnaissance rather than an attempt. Watch what each obstacle does and where it sits; with lives costing nothing, that look is free, and the run after it is worth several blind ones.