Review
Gardenscapes combines match-3 puzzle gameplay with garden restoration and storytelling. You help Austin the Butler revive a once-neglected garden by solving colorful and increasingly challenging puzzles, earning stars to unlock new areas and decorative options. The more you play, the more sections of the garden you can reclaim, and you also meet quirky characters, including a friendly dog.
The match-3 puzzles form the core gameplay loop: swap tiles, create combos, and use power-ups to clear objectives. Each level has specific goals (collect items, clear obstacles, or reach a target score). Completing puzzles rewards you with stars, coins, and boosting items. These resources fuel your progress in the garden, allowing you to purchase plants, statues, walkways, fences, and other decorative elements.
One strength of Gardenscapes is how the narrative weaves into the restoration tasks. The story unfolds via dialogues and events, keeping you curious about the next reveal in Austin’s world. Seasonal events and themed challenges add freshness and often introduce temporary content you can unlock.
However, Gardenscapes does come with caveats. As you advance, some levels become highly difficult without boosters or additional resources, which may push players toward in-app purchases. Some users have criticized the game’s monetization for slowing progress or making advancement feel “pay to win.” Additionally, Garden sections, while decorative, have limited variety in decoration styles, meaning that beyond major pieces the flexibility can feel constrained.
Overall, Gardenscapes is a polished, engaging mix of puzzles and light customization. For fans of match-3 games who also enjoy narrative and visual rewards, it’s a compelling mobile experience — as long as you’re willing to accept its pacing and monetization balance.
Key Features
Classic match-3 puzzle gameplay with varied objectives
Garden restoration: unlock and decorate new garden zones
Storyline and character dialogues—including butler Austin and a pet dog
Power-ups and boosters to assist with difficult levels
Seasonal events and limited-time challenges
Earn stars/coins to unlock decorative items
Increased difficulty in later levels that may encourage in-app spending
