Crystal Connect

Two dwarves are working a crystal seam, and every pair of gems you link is another handful into their haul. A longer explanation of the rule sits in the plain answer for new players.

Azerion Casual Games run this on connect-style rules — pairs of matching gems, linked and removed — but layer a quest over the top, with dozens of levels standing between the pair and the crystals they are after. Combinations matter here: chaining links rather than picking off isolated pairs is what the developer flags as the route to a strong finish. One more board from the same group is the Wallpaper Connect board.

The board sits at 800 by 600, with a dragon among the tag list setting the tone more than the mechanics. Where players get stuck is late in a level, when the remaining gems are scattered and every obvious pair has already gone. Holding back a couple of easy links for that stage is worth more than clearing them early. KrisMas Mahjong 2 shares this board’s place in the catalogue.

1. Look over the gem board and find two crystals of the same kind.
2. Link the pair to remove both and add them to the dwarves' haul.
3. Chain links together where you can to build the stronger combinations.
4. Clear the level and follow the dwarves on to the next of the dozens on offer.

• Save easy pairs — a scattered late-level Crystal Connect board is exactly where a held-back link pays.
• Chain, do not pick — the developer points at powerful combinations rather than single removals.
• Read the gem shapes — colour alone misleads when several crystal types share a palette.
• Expect a long run — dozens of levels sit between the dwarves and the end of the quest.