Pirates Story Match

Pirates Story Match has the most structure of anything in this wave. Alongside the saga map there is the Ghost Regatta, a competitive track; Doubloons, a currency that advances a Captain’s Pass; and Endless Voyage, an unlimited mode for chasing a personal best once the levels are behind you.

Three systems layered on one board is a lot, and it cuts both ways. If you want a match-3 that keeps producing new things to aim at, this is the one here that does. If you want to swap tiles without tracking a pass tier and a regatta standing, it will feel busy.

The mode worth singling out is Endless Voyage, because it solves the usual problem with these games: what to do when the level list stops. A board with a score attempt attached to it stays playable long after the story has run out.

1. Swap two touching pirate pieces into a line of three or more.
2. Clear level goals to move along the saga map.
3. Gather Doubloons to raise your Captain's Pass tier.
4. Switch to Endless Voyage to clear waves and push your score.

Doubloons come from finishing levels, not from scoring highly in them. If the pass is what you are chasing, clear easy boards quickly rather than grinding a hard one.