Sparkle Unleashed Reviews

Sparkle Unleashed is ranked in the 25th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
6 / 10
Dec 29, 2017

If you've never jumped in to the enchanted world of Sparkle, this is as good a place as any to start. It's a polished, competent match three game with decent production, plenty of stages and addictive ball blasting action, even if it is very derivative and repetitive. For those familiar with the series or the genre as a whole, Sparkle unleashed is merely a slight variation on more of the same. With Sparkle 2 already out on Switch, as well as it being released for every other system in all the known kingdoms, Sparkle Unleashed is another solid, if unremarkable addition to the console's library.

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5.5 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2015

I was left wishing that it had done more, instead of repeating its few gameplay challenges again and again.

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Jun 5, 2015

Sparkle Unleashed is a fun game and the gameplay can be addictive, especially when using certain powerups. The fantasy style the developers have chosen has worked in its favour and, although the limited story barely does anything for it, the theme helps to add character to the title, and the music is pleasant to listen to as you play through the levels. However, the game feels a little too long for what it is and unless a few extra level designs were added in, cutting out a few of the required levels wouldn't have hurt. After long periods of play, boredom may kick in so it's best to play in short bursts. For its price, it's worth a look if you're a fan of these types of games but if you aren't, then you won't be missing out on a ton if you decide to give it a miss.

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6 / 10
May 31, 2015

Sparkle Unleashed is a solid puzzle game with a few new ideas – but not enough to truly feel fresh. We can't criticise the controls or gameplay here, but the feeling of familiarity that pervades the whole experience lets it down. If you want a timewaster to fill a few minutes here or there, then this is well worth a shot. Otherwise, you can give this one a miss.

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Jun 10, 2015

Sparkle Unleashed is a solid yet un-flashy puzzle game, and that's all I'll ever need or want from it.

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6.5 / 10.0
Jun 11, 2015

Not only does Sparkle Unleashed reek of being a mobile game, but a mostly unoriginal one at that. Sure, the fantasy theme is nice, and the gameplay does fare rather well after you get used to it, but more variety could've easily set this apart from other puzzle games that are out there – something Sparkle 2 suffered from last year as well. Still, if you can't live without your Luxor-like action, this is worth a look.

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5.5 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2015

There's no competition in the genre on the Xbox One right now, so if you absolutely must shoot marbles then you probably can't go wrong with Sparkle Unleashed. However it feels, looks and plays like a mobile port - which is okay, because that's exactly what it is.

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6 / 10
Mar 10, 2018

Sparkle Unleashed is a simple but competent puzzle game that is mostly based on a very tested formula, and there's nothing wrong with that. While the game does not attempt to stand above all its peers, what it features proves sufficient to provide for some simple fun. Where Sparkle Unleashed disappoints is on how quickly it begins to feel rather repetitive, especially for more experienced players with more exposure to other works.

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8.5 / 10.0
Dec 31, 2017

For just $7.99 the amount of content is extensive, providing hours of both relaxing and exhilarating entertainment.

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70%
Jun 8, 2015

Addictive and entertaining, Sparkle Unleashed is a more than competent Zuma-style puzzler for Xbox One that's definitely worth a look. Go on. Get your balls out.

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8 / 10.0
Apr 17, 2014

If you are looking for a fun and addictive game that will have you playing on your phone for hours, then look no further than Sparkle Unleashed. This is one of the best games I have played on my iPhone and would recommend it to anyone. Sparkle Unleashed will have you bringing light back into this dark world for hours on end.

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Ken Barnes
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jul 6, 2015

Sparkle Unleashed is tremendously addictive and gets the basics of the genre right whilst adding a few changes to the mix. If you liked Zuma – which unfortunately for Sparkle Unleashed now runs on Xbox One via backward compatibility – you'll probably enjoy the challenge this provides, even if there isn't anything majorly groundbreaking going on.

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Drew Hurley
Top Critic
7 / 10
Apr 10, 2016

There are an awful lot of match-three puzzlers out there, and with good reason, since the simple and addictive gameplay is hard to put down; the type of gameplay that makes 10 more minutes before going to sleep, resulting in lying in bed at 4am, refusing to put the Vita down until the next stage is complete. There isn't enough originality to elevate Sparkle Unleashed to something memorable, but there's enough to make this worth playing and keep people coming back to it.

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Digitally Downloaded
Sam M.
Top Critic
Jun 3, 2015

There clearly is a market for games like Sparkle Unleashed, but what's sad to see is that there was a lot of effort put into the game. There are animated cut scenes and visually appealing visuals, but the raw lack of innovation in a kind of game that is rapidly showing its age really does let it down.

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Cubed3
Top Critic
6 / 10
Oct 21, 2018

Sparkle Unleashed is a good enough puzzle title that delivers exactly what is expected.

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7 / 10.0
Jan 20, 2018

It seems like this is just more of level expansion to that game. Sparkle Unleashed does a lot right. Its gameplay is solid, the music is great, and it does have a lot of levels, but the lack of different modes and extras hampers the experience a bit, especially since it's the same price as Sparkle 2.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 7, 2018

If you want a match-3 puzzle game on the Switch, then definitely take a look. It's a nice, casual puzzle game that might infuriate you on occasion, but will certainly keep you occupied.

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Gareth Fidler
Top Critic
5 / 10
Aug 31, 2016

Sparkle Unleashed proves to be a mildly addictive ball-shunting diversion, and amply fills the Zuma-shaped hole that still inexplicably exists on the PS4, but it's highly unlikely that it'll rock anybody's world. In conclusion: this is best enjoyed as a palate cleanser between bigger, meatier titles.

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7.5 / 10.0
Dec 26, 2017

All in all if you’re a casual gaming fan Sparkle Unleashed is an affordable title that is well-executed and offers quite a lot of content for the price of admission. While it is a variant on games already out there on other platforms as always 10 Tons has managed to ensure they put their own stamp on it and it and it is one of the few casual games of this kind on the Switch. If you’re looking for something to help you unwind with on the couch it is an excellent choice.

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7 / 10
Jan 12, 2018

There’s variation in the areas as winding paths and multiple lines of marbles are introduced. There’s an extra hard difficulty if you want a challenge or to grind your teeth into dust with frustration. It’s not a bad game at all, it just does what it says on the tin and while that’s fine, it doesn’t stand up above other games – many of which flood the Nintendo eShop each week – to steal your attention away.

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