Tide Pool Swap
Tide Pool Swap is a match-three puzzle set in a rock pool. Swap two neighbouring treasures to line up three or more of the same kind. You get 25 moves, called tides, to score as much as you can.
How do you play Tide Pool Swap?
- Press Play to fill the pool with six kinds of treasure.
- Swap two neighbouring pieces by dragging one onto the other, or tap one and then tap its neighbour.
- A swap only counts if it makes a line of three or more matching pieces in a row or column.
- Matched pieces are collected, everything above falls down, and new pieces drop in. New lines formed by falling pieces chain together for bonus points.
- The game ends when your 25 tides are used up.
What are the controls?
| Input | Action |
|---|---|
| Drag or tap | Swap two neighbouring pieces |
| Arrow keys | Move the cursor |
| Space or Enter | Select the piece under the cursor |
| Arrow key after selecting | Swap in that direction |
Tips for a higher score
- Work near the bottom of the board. Matches low down shift more pieces and make chains more likely.
- Lines of four or five score a flat bonus on top of the normal points, so look for them before taking an easy three.
- Chains multiply: the second wave of a cascade is worth double per piece, the third triple, and so on.
- If no swaps are possible the pool reshuffles for free, so you never get stuck.
Tide Pool Swap FAQ
How is Tide Pool Swap scored?
Each collected piece is worth 10 points times the chain level, plus 20 points for every piece beyond three in a single line.
What happens if there are no moves left?
The board reshuffles automatically and you keep your remaining tides.
Does it work on touch screens?
Yes. Swipe a piece toward its neighbour or tap two neighbours one after the other.
Is there a time limit?
No. You have 25 moves and can take as long as you like on each one.
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More from Sam
Larger games Sam Barth is making on his own:
- Lantern Survivors: an action game about holding back the dark with a lantern (link coming soon)
- Dead Acre: a wave-survival first-person shooter (link coming soon)
- Starforge: a sci-fi looter-shooter (link coming soon)