# Eldershyft — Mythical Match-3 Puzzler

> Hexagonal path-moving match-3 puzzle game with strategic depth and accessibility. (iPhone/iPad app by KIERAN HARTNETT.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eldershyft/id6758571287 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [KIERAN HARTNETT](https://appshunter.io/developer/1801578555)
- Category: Games, Puzzle, Strategy
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 8 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 9+
- Requires: iOS 18.6 · 7 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2026-03-16
- Data updated: 2026-07-09
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eldershyft/id6758571287/reviews.md

## What is Eldershyft?

Eldershyft is a match-3 puzzle game with unique gameplay. Instead of swapping individual tiles, you move entire paths across a hexagonal board in 6 directions, opening up cascades, combos, and strategies.

Set before the days of Eldermyth, you take control of the Curator of Lands to build the mystical Island whilst trying to tame the Beasts that have followed you from your realm.   As you grow stronger, will you choose to focus your powers on board manipulation, Beast management or score multipliers? Or, maybe a combination of them all!

Two ways to play
  - Endless Mode: Push for the highest score on the world leaderboard. Survive as long as possible as enemy pressure escalates and the Island becomes more complex
  - Challenge Mode: Settle the Island by reaching level 5 on each land type in the least amount of turns possible. Each turn counts even more in this mode

  Deep strategy. Pure puzzle
  - Cascading matches and board refill from 6 directions reward planning and positional awareness
  - Ever changing board from multiple different mechanics at play
  - A rich progression system with stackable bonuses, passive and consumable abilities, and permanent multipliers
  - No timers. No pay-to-win. Pure strategic depth

  Fully accessible
  - Complete VoiceOver support with full gameplay narration, accessible drag-and-drop path building, as well as colour-blind and high contrast settings

Try for free before purchasing the full game!

## Key features

- Hexagonal board path movement
- Cascading matches and combos
- Endless and Challenge modes
- Beast management and island building
- Stackable bonuses and abilities
- Full VoiceOver support
- Color-blind and high contrast settings

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full base game unlock | $2.99 | one-time |
| Rival Curators | $1.99 | one-time |



## Frequently asked questions about Eldershyft

### What makes Eldershyft's gameplay unique?

Eldershyft features a unique match-3 mechanic where players move entire paths on a hexagonal board in six directions, rather than swapping individual tiles. This allows for strategic planning and opens up possibilities for cascades and combos.

### Does Eldershyft have ads?

No, Eldershyft does not contain advertisements. The game is free to try and offers full access upon purchase.

### What are the different game modes in Eldershyft?

Eldershyft offers two distinct modes: Endless Mode, where the goal is to achieve the highest score and survive escalating enemy pressure, and Challenge Mode, which focuses on settling the island efficiently by reaching specific levels in the fewest turns.

### Is Eldershyft accessible for players with disabilities?

Yes, Eldershyft is designed with accessibility in mind. It features complete VoiceOver support with gameplay narration, accessible drag-and-drop path building, and color-blind and high contrast settings.

### What platforms can I play Eldershyft on?

Eldershyft is currently available on iPhone and iPad, as indicated by its supported devices.

### How often is Eldershyft updated?

The latest version, 1.2.1, was released on May 31, 2026, indicating a recent update. The game was initially released on March 16, 2026.

### What is the age rating for Eldershyft?

Eldershyft has an age rating of 9+, making it suitable for a younger audience interested in puzzle games.

### Does Eldershyft offer offline play?

The provided description does not explicitly mention offline play. However, the focus on strategic depth and no timers suggests it may be playable without a constant internet connection.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.2.1 — 2026-05-31

Standard Curator Challenge mode leaderboard fix

### 1.2 — 2026-04-23

The new Rival Curators expansion is now available which adds:
- 2 new unique Curators to play with
- 5 new Curator powers
- 1 new Beast

This update also adds an 'easy mode' Curator which is accessible via the base game purchase (no expansion required), a re-worked and balanced Challenge mode with new leaderboard, and Curator power balance changes.

### 1.1 — 2026-03-21

Quality of life additions requested by users:
- Added button to cancel tile targeting powers
- Added Curator tooltip which displays tile target range
- Added colour pallets for colour-blind and high contrast needs
- Added option to display land type icons on tiles
- Start position of tile now highlighted in drag preview
- Beast preview (pre-spawn) more noticeable

Buffs and nerfs:
- Buffed multiplier for upgrade chain matches (now linked to Curator level
- Nerfed Beast spawn frequency in later game

Thank you all for your feedback and support!

### 1.0.1 — 2026-03-20

Fix: Game Center leaderboard now registering scores correctly.

### 1.0 — 2026-03-16

No release notes.

## More apps by KIERAN HARTNETT

- [Eldermyth](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/eldermyth/id6743443107)
- [Rogue Keys](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rogue-keys/id6747439256)

All apps by KIERAN HARTNETT: https://appshunter.io/developer/1801578555

## Related topics

[eldershyft](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/eldershyft)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-07-09.*
