Info about Bejeweled® 3:

Official game description:
The biggest, brightest Bejeweled ever!  
Discover all-new ways to play the world’s #1 puzzle game. Find your perfect match with 8 breathtaking game modes that meet all your moods — ease into Classic Bejeweled for cascades of fun, journey through 40 challenging Quest puzzles, charge into the electrifying Lightning for non-stop action, and tailor your experience in Zen for a revolutionary new way to relax.  
Enjoy the amazing sights and sounds and engage in endless gem-matching fun, and earn flashy achievement badges as you soar to dazzling new heights!  
Key Features:
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*   8 ways to play: With so many new ways to play, you’ll find a perfect match for every mood!  
*   Classic mode: Play the most popular puzzle game of the century, with powerful new gems and new ultra-smooth gameplay  
*   Quest mode: Journey through 40 magical puzzles in this multifaceted Bejeweled challenge!  
*   Zen mode: Tailor your experience with sights, sounds and binaural beats to create your own relaxing retreat  
*   Lightning mode: Charge up with a challenging timed game of heart-pounding, gem-blasting fun!  
*   Secret modes: Unlock 4 all-new games as you play  
*   Badges: Earn up to 65 badges to prove your multifaceted skills  
*   High-definition graphics: Amazing sights and sounds — Bejeweled is more sparkling than ever before!  
*   Ultra-smooth action: Make multiple matches while new gems fall into place

Release date: Dec 7, 2010

Categories: Match-3 Puzzle, Casual Game, Relaxation, Achievement Hunting, High Score Chasing, Puzzle, Zen Mode

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 10; verdict: Fair; summary: The game is praised for its lack of microtransactions, with multiple reviews highlighting this as a positive aspect. Some reviews mention that the game might feel overpriced, but this is related to the base price and not in-game purchases.
- Proton/Linux: score 10; verdict: Works Well; summary: The game runs exceptionally well on Linux with Proton, with multiple users reporting better performance and stability compared to Windows. Steam Deck users also report a seamless experience, indicating strong compatibility. The requirement for a third-party account and kernel-level anti-cheat is noted but does not appear to cause issues for Linux users based on the provided reviews.
- Steam Deck: score 40; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The game runs exceptionally well on the Steam Deck, providing a seamless and enjoyable experience for most users. However, the requirement for EA online activation and the EA app software installation introduces a significant barrier. Additionally, while the game runs better on Linux with Proton, some tinkering may be required to achieve optimal performance.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $0.99 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence shows that users frequently mention the game being worth it at sale prices around $0.99 to $1. Additionally, users express satisfaction with the game even at higher sale prices like $10. The general sentiment is that the game is worth purchasing at discounted prices, with frequent mentions of sales making the game a good value. This suggests that while the game is often enjoyed at very low prices, there is also a perceived value at slightly higher sale prices.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 100.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 1.5h
  - Endgame: 200.0h
  - Reasoning: The evidence provided includes several direct references to playtime metrics for Bejeweled 3. The first quote mentions playing for many years and frequently returning to a specific mode, indicating long-term engagement and high endgame playtime. The second quote explicitly states 100 hours of playtime, which supports the game completion metric. The third quote provides a specific playtime of 3,838 hours, which is an outlier but still indicates potential for extensive endgame play. The fourth quote suggests playing until an unreasonable hour, implying long sessions and high engagement in specific modes. These quotes collectively support the metrics for game completion, session length, and endgame playtime.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is immediately fun due to its addictive core gameplay, but it can become repetitive over time. The variety of game modes and short play sessions enhance the fun.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: N/A
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: Repetitive gameplay over long sessions
  - Unlock drivers: Variety of game modes; Experimentation with different mechanics
  - Conditions: Short play sessions; Chill and relaxing environment
- Player Archetypes:
  - Achievement Hunter (buy)
    - Motivation: Mastery and completion of all achievements.
    - Playstyle: Strategic and persistent, focusing on completing all challenges and achievements.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: achievement hunter; veteran player
    - Reference games: Candy Crush Saga
  - Nostalgic Casual Gamer (buy)
    - Motivation: Nostalgia and relaxation.
    - Playstyle: Casual and relaxed, enjoying the game for its nostalgic value and simple, satisfying puzzles.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: casual gamer; nostalgic player
    - Reference games: Bejeweled (XBOX 360); Bejeweled (Nintendo)
  - Casual Puzzle Enthusiast (sale)
    - Motivation: Simple, satisfying gameplay.
    - Playstyle: Casual and intermittent, playing the game in short sessions for relaxation and enjoyment.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: casual player; puzzle enthusiast
    - Reference games: Candy Crush Saga


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Excellent game design (weight 0.48): The game is noted for its incredible match-3 mechanics, high replay value, and polished design. It offers a relaxing yet engaging experience that can be enjoyed for long periods.
- Fun and entertaining gameplay (weight 0.45): The game is described as fun, enjoyable, and entertaining, offering a nostalgic experience that is both addictive and satisfying.
- Relaxing gameplay options (weight 0.34): The game offers relaxing gameplay options, particularly in Zen mode, which is great for chilling out and unwinding.
- High-quality graphics (weight 0.32): Bejeweled is praised for its timeless and spectacular graphics, including high-definition visuals and impressive 3D effects.
- Good for passing time (weight 0.28): The game is seen as a great time-waster, perfect for quick mental breaks and casual play.
- Improvement over previous versions (weight 0.19): Bejeweled 3 is considered an improvement over Bejeweled 2, offering more content and complexity.
- High-quality puzzle game (weight 0.16): Bejeweled is regarded as one of the best puzzle games ever made, with a well-established and iconic status in the genre.
- Challenging and rewarding gameplay (weight 0.16): The game offers a fun and challenging difficulty, with smooth and rewarding gameplay that keeps players engaged.
- Great soundtrack (weight 0.14): Bejeweled features an amazing soundtrack, contributing to the overall enjoyable and immersive experience.
- Enjoyable badge system (weight 0.14): The game includes a fun and challenging quest mode with an enjoyable badge system, adding an extra layer of engagement.
- Simple yet rewarding gameplay (weight 0.13): Bejeweled offers simple yet rewarding gameplay, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players.

Common complaints:
- Hardware and compatibility issues (weight 0.31): The game has issues with modern hardware, including problems with 3D acceleration and graphics card compatibility.
- Visual and audio criticisms (weight 0.21): The game's visuals and audio elements, including music and voice recordings, are criticized for being ugly, mediocre, or annoying.
- Technical issues and bugs (weight 0.21): The game has several technical issues, including bugs, compatibility problems, and performance issues on different platforms.
- Tedious achievements (weight 0.19): Some achievements are considered extremely tedious or grindy, making them difficult and frustrating to complete.
- Full-screen and resolution issues (weight 0.17): Players report bugs with full-screen mode on Windows 10 and limited screen resolution options.
- Frustrating gameplay (weight 0.14): The game is described as more frustrating than fun, especially at higher difficulty levels.
- Game design and balance issues (weight 0.14): The game is criticized for its design and balance, including issues with difficulty curves, RNG-based modes, and lack of variety.
- Criticism of EA (weight 0.14): There is significant criticism directed at EA for their handling of the game and PopCap.
- Color identification issues (weight 0.13): Players have difficulty distinguishing between certain gem colors, particularly orange and yellow, as well as orange and red.
- No backup or cloud save feature (weight 0.12): The game lacks a backup feature or cloud saves, which can lead to lost progress.
- Stressful countdown timer (weight 0.12): The countdown timer and background music can create a stressful gaming experience.
- Monotonous classic mode (weight 0.12): The classic mode is described as boring and monotonous, lacking excitement.
- Limited moves and game over (weight 0.1): The board often has limited possible moves, leading to game over situations that players find frustrating.
- Frustration with Lightning mode (weight 0.09): Lightning mode is particularly frustrating and difficult for many players.
- Difficult modes (weight 0.09): Specific game modes like Ice Pillar Elimination and Quest mode's final levels are considered too difficult and luck-based.
- Criticism of specific game modes (weight 0.09): Certain game modes, such as Butterfly mode and Poker mode, are disliked or found less attractive by players.
- Leaderboard and scoreboard issues (weight 0.09): The leaderboard and scoreboard are criticized for being filled with bot names and being useless unless friends play the game.
- Lack of Chinese language support (weight 0.07): There is no official simplified Chinese translation, which limits accessibility for Chinese-speaking players.
- Poor PC port (weight 0.07): The PC port is criticized for being inferior compared to other platforms like the Nintendo DS.
- Annoying suggested moves (weight 0.07): The suggested moves feature is found to be annoying by many players.
- Repetitive gameplay (weight 0.07): The game loop can become repetitive over long sessions, leading to boredom.
- No sequel (weight 0.07): Players express disappointment that there is no sequel to the game.
- Intrusive pop-ups (weight 0.04): Players find the pop-ups in the game to be intrusive and disruptive.
- Addictive gameplay (weight 0.04): Despite some criticisms, the game is described as very addictive.
- Loud sounds (weight 0.04): The game's sounds are tuned rather loud, which can be bothersome.
- Distracting visuals (weight 0.04): The visuals in the game can be distracting, affecting the overall gaming experience.
- Lack of narrative depth (weight 0.04): The game is criticized for lacking narrative depth, making it less engaging.
- Lack of multiplayer (weight 0.04): The game lacks a multiplayer feature, which some players find disappointing.

Gameplay feedback:
- Special gems with unique effects (weight 0.19): Matching four or more gems creates special gems with unique effects and combo reactions. These special gems add depth and strategy to the gameplay.
- Achievements and quests system (weight 0.16): The game features an achievements system with badges and a quests system that offers various challenges and objectives to complete.
- Lightning mode with time management (weight 0.13): Lightning mode is a high-speed gameplay mode that emphasizes time management and quick decision-making, similar to the original Blitz mode.
- Challenging levels and difficulty (weight 0.12): Players can expect a variety of challenging levels and difficulties across different game modes, providing a robust experience for those seeking a test of their skills.
- Zen mode for relaxation (weight 0.09): Zen mode offers a relaxing experience with guided breathing and calming background effects, making it a unique mode focused on relaxation.
- Poker mode with card mechanics (weight 0.09): Poker mode introduces card matching and poker hands, adding a layer of randomness and strategy different from the traditional match-three gameplay.
- Ice Storm mode with rising ice (weight 0.09): Ice Storm mode features rising pillars of ice that players must navigate and clear, adding a unique challenge to the gameplay.
- Diamond Mine mode with digging (weight 0.09): Diamond Mine mode involves digging mechanics and treasure hunting, providing a different objective compared to other modes.
- Variety of gem types (weight 0.08): The game includes seven different types of gems with various colors and shapes, adding visual diversity and strategic depth to the matching mechanics.
- Western-style casual puzzle game (weight 0.06): The game is designed as a casual puzzle game with Western-style elements, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide audience.
- Simple and quick gameplay (weight 0.06): The game offers simple and quick puzzle gameplay, making it easy to pick up and play for short or long sessions.
- High-speed gameplay with chain reactions (weight 0.06): Certain modes feature high-speed gameplay with special gems and chain reactions, creating an exciting and fast-paced experience.
- Butterfly mode with strategic puzzle-solving (weight 0.06): Butterfly mode offers a unique gameplay experience focused on strategic puzzle-solving, distinct from other modes.

Performance notes:
- Smooth performance on various systems (weight 0.22): The game runs smoothly on a variety of hardware, including low-spec machines and Linux systems. Players report it runs like a dream on different platforms.
- 3D acceleration issues (weight 0.18): Multiple players report problems with 3D acceleration, particularly on Windows 10. These issues affect performance and resolution settings.
- Resolution support and issues (weight 0.17): The game supports higher resolutions like 1920x1200 and custom resolutions, but there are also reports of resolution-related issues and limitations.
- System crashes and instability (weight 0.1): Some players have experienced severe issues, including hard locks, BSOD, and system crashes when tabbing out of the game.
- Full-screen mode issues (weight 0.1): Several players have encountered bugs and issues related to full-screen mode, including screen ratio problems.
- Reboot required after shutting down (weight 0.04): The game requires a system reboot when shutting down, which can be inconvenient for players.
- FPS cap and performance (weight 0.04): The game has an FPS cap at 100, which might affect players seeking higher frame rates.
- Runs better on Linux with Proton 9 (weight 0.04): Players report that the game runs better on Linux systems using Proton 9, indicating better compatibility and performance on this platform.
- Low memory usage (weight 0.04): The game is noted for its low memory usage, which is beneficial for players with limited resources.
- Minor bugs reported (weight 0.04): Some players have noticed minor bugs, though they do not significantly impact the overall gameplay experience.

Recommendations:
- Highly recommended game (weight 0.23): Many players highly recommend this game, praising it as perfect and worth buying for fans of match-3 and classic games.
- Useful for achievements (weight 0.13): The game is recommended for achievement hunters, with suggestions to use Steam community guides for help with achievements.
- Low-commitment and competitive (weight 0.07): The game is recommended for those looking for a low-commitment or competitive puzzle game experience.
- Enhance with personal music (weight 0.06): Players suggest enhancing the gaming experience by playing with your own music or having additional media on another monitor.
- Frequent sales (weight 0.04): The game is often available at a discounted price, making it a good purchase opportunity when on sale.
- Binaural tones worth it (weight 0.04): The game is considered worth buying for its binaural tone generators alone, appealing to a niche audience.
- Voice-over suggestions (weight 0.03): There are suggestions for improving the game with voice-over additions.

Other player notes:
No miscpoints

Emotions:
- Nostalgia (weight 0.44): Players experience nostalgia due to childhood memories associated with the game, its classic and timeless gameplay, and comparisons to beloved older games like Bejeweled 2. The game's enduring charm, simplicity, and the memories of playing it with family or on various platforms also contribute to this sentiment.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.2): Players feel satisfied with the game's polished experience, unique game modes, and the absence of in-app purchases and advertisements. The game's performance, encouraging voice feedback, and the simple yet satisfying gameplay mechanics also contribute to this feeling.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.18): Players enjoy the game's addictive and fun nature, with various game modes and engaging mechanics. The game's soundtrack, pretty colors, and the overall positive experience contribute to the enjoyment.
- Frustration (weight 0.17): Players feel frustrated due to technical issues, difficult gameplay, and the lack of support for modern hardware. Intrusive pop-ups, forced hints, and the stressful countdown timer also contribute to this frustration.
- Excitement (weight 0.16): Players are excited by the game's intense and engaging elements, such as explosions, laser beams, and the variety of game modes. The addictive and thrilling gameplay, along with the competitive high score system, also contribute to this excitement.
- Relaxation (weight 0.15): Players find the game relaxing due to its casual gameplay, Zen mode, and relaxing sounds. The game's atmosphere, soundtrack, and the ability to play it during stressful times contribute to this feeling of relaxation.
- Addiction (weight 0.1): Players find the game addictive due to its high replay value, variety of game modes, and the competitive high score system. The game's ability to keep players entertained for hours also contributes to this addiction.
- Joy (weight 0.06): Players experience joy from the game's fun and relaxing gameplay, achievements, and leaderboard competition. The overall positive experience and the game's value contribute to this joy.
- Appreciation (weight 0.04): Players appreciate the game's simplicity, visuals, and well-suited sounds. The game's design being beneficial for colorblind players and its legendary music also contribute to this appreciation.
- Relief (weight 0.03): Players feel relief as the game helps them forget about losses in another game and provides a simple, quota-free experience. The game's ability to offer a sense of relief and relaxation contributes to this feeling.
- Gratitude (weight 0.03): Players feel gratitude for the game's helpful features in managing anxiety and providing a safe space for mental health. The game's ability to offer support and a positive experience contributes to this gratitude.
- Love (weight 0.02): Players express love for the game's unique qualities and its ability to bring family closer. The overall love for the game and its charm contribute to this emotion.
- Admiration (weight 0.02): Players admire the game's simplicity and effectiveness compared to other games. The game's complexity and variety also contribute to this admiration.
- Surprise (weight 0.02): Players are surprised by the game's addictive nature despite its casual appeal and the fact that it is well-made. The game's ability to stand out among many other games contributes to this surprise.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Players feel anger due to EA's handling of PopCap and technical issues that broke their PC. The game's perceived malware-like behavior also contributes to this anger.
- Pride (weight 0.02): Players feel pride from achieving top scores and improving as a player. The sense of accomplishment from achieving good combos contributes to this pride.
- Anxiety (weight 0.02): Players feel anxiety due to the stressful Bomb Mode and background music. The countdown sounds and difficult gameplay elements contribute to this anxiety.
- Disappointment (weight 0.02): Players feel disappointment due to the game being less fun than expected and the gameplay being boring. The game's inability to meet expectations contributes to this disappointment.
- Amusement (weight 0.02): Players find amusement in comparing the game to Candy Crush and enjoying the game despite not being skilled. The game's fun and entertaining nature contributes to this amusement.
- Mixed feelings (weight 0.01): Players experience mixed feelings due to the game's ability to provide both stress and relaxation. The contrasting emotions evoked by the gameplay contribute to these mixed feelings.}