# Matchstick Memories — user reviews > 57 indexed App Store user reviews of Matchstick Memories by CH Buckingham, rated 3.92/5 from 37 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/matchstick-memories/id912230789/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/matchstick-memories/id912230789.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 21 · 4★ 8 · 3★ 0 · 2★ 0 · 1★ 8 ## Newest reviews (11 of 57) ### 4/5 — Haunting *2015-12-31, version 1.24* Fun game, wish it would go somewhere sometimes ### 4/5 — Intriguing *2015-02-28, version 1.24* This game is addictive and fun, but I have to take a star off because of eye strain and no epilepsy warning. ### 4/5 — Unique, meaningful, and fun *2015-01-06, version 1.24* I'm so glad I downloaded this game. It blends relaxing, aesthetically lovely puzzles with a tragic/exciting story to make for a really unique and artistic experience. I'm really impressed with the writing, and the gameplay is fun. It's fairly well varied; there are six or seven different but similar types of puzzles depending on the level/story/urgency, which makes for decent variety. Some of the gameplay is a bit tedious, which is why I took a star off, but I've always come back and completed the levels I've lost patience for. There was one level/puzzle I played over and over and over without passing, and I think the game registered this and gave me an alternate puzzle to complete. I might be wrong though! Maybe I did beat it and didn't realize. But anyway, if the game *did* recognize my inability to complete a level and adjusted accordingly, I am enormously impressed! ### 4/5 — Great Idea *2015-01-02, version 1.24* Refreshingly original combination of genres. Flawless aesthetics. My only complaint is that the story lacks a hook-- I'm about an hour in and there's no tension, only descriptions of locations. I expect to like it better as I find out more. ### 5/5 — Pretty mindless but still fun. *2014-12-25, version 1.23* This is my go to game when I just want to relax. The puzzles are easy to solve, but the timed ones can be challenging. ### 5/5 — I can't stop *2014-12-16, version 1.23* Seriously. I can't stop. I'm obsessed with this game to the point of intervention; at least, that's what my friends say. Tantalizing bits of story keep me saying 'just one more section, then I'll stop' and puzzles so hard they make me whimper then shout with joy when I solve them. Thank you for such a marvelous game. Please don't make any more - I need to sleep someday. ### 5/5 — Relaxing and Challenging *2014-12-13, version 1.23* Nice Twist on a match 3 game. Having a story narrative interwoven in the game helps bring a sense of purpose to each round. Great game! ### 5/5 — Thanks for this update *2014-12-02, version 1.23* Edit2: I was definately stuck on a section of the game, new failsafe has let me move on. I actually wasn't sure if I couldn't finish the puzzle, or if I wasn't doing something I was supposed to. Original: could go either way for me, still only an hour in, but my initial thoughts are it’s very interesting. Colors changing on the puzzles is something I never seen. I think I want there to be even more options, but I read some reviews that say the first part is straight. More like an introduction. Liking it so far. Edit: I'm probably halfway through from what I read on Touch Arcade, and I'm still very intrigued. At times very confused, but I manage to figure it out, I think. Edit: I’ve finished it, and I have to say, I never stopped playing. I suppose my earlier hesitation was confusion as much as anything, but maybe that was a breath of fresh air? ### 5/5 — Stylish and thoughtful *2014-11-22, version 1.23* Fun puzzle adventure with a mysterious story. Graphics are sleek, sound effects are actually kind of soothing. You work your way through the story by playing different puzzles, and it's nice and long - I've been playing a ton and still haven't seen the end. So far, it's been pretty addicting. ### 4/5 — Good but needs IAP to continue *2014-11-15, version 1.21* This is a cleverly designed story-puzzle game similar to A Dark Room. Enjoyable. But it reaches the end of Chapter Four and requires an in-app purchase of $3.79 to continue playing. Pity. ### 5/5 — Good times! *2014-11-08, version 1.21* I liked the storytelling aspect of the game. It makes it interesting and keeps me wanting to play more and more. It's especially reminiscent of games I used to play as a kid with a modern twist. ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Crashes every time *2023-02-11, version 1.31* I would love to love this app, but it crashes every time I open it. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2022-07-30, version 1.31* Doesn’t work on iPhone SE iOS 15.5, and iPad mini 4 iOS 15.4 and there is no app support. Can’t give 0 stars ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work :( *2021-07-16, version 1.31* I want to try this game so badly!! Please update it so it works with current IPhones!! ### 1/5 — Doesn’t load *2021-04-26, version 1.31* Game flashes to next screen and quits. Have tried to reinstall twice. iPhone X. ### 1/5 — Does not work *2020-01-19, version 1.31* Downloaded this app through the App Store twice on my ipad. It does not e en open. Please refund my money. Bel ### 1/5 — Severe battery drain *2019-03-11, version 1.24* This game seems to drain the battery very rapidly. This may be because the game also seems to be sending vast amounts of data through the internet. I also do not understand why the game is using up battery while the iPad is in standby mode. ### 1/5 — Summary was correct *2017-06-20, version 1.24* Yes, I am now confused. Haven't played very far but the game doesn't seem very compelling or cohesive... ### 3/5 — Incredible interface, mediocre game *2014-10-16, version 1.12* The most frustrating thing about this game is that I want to like it so much more. You don't have to look hard to find reviews that tell you how much of a joy the interface is to use in this game: it's clean, it's responsive, it feels great. ...too bad the game itself isn't as good. MSM is, for the most part, a series of minigames ranging from minesweeper to match-3 and more. Frequently these games have move limits or challenges to get a certain number of points for matching one type of tile before you match another type. The primary problem is that these challenges are rarely actually challenging. The minesweeper game is played on a ridiculously small field with a small number of mines. The match-3 games only give you points when you match sets of 4 or more, so you can actually match as many of the "bad" tile as you want as long as you only match small sets. The swiping game just requires that you look for the largest single swipe or two on the screen. When the games *aren't* laughably easy they're completely unfair: "make 80 points of sets. Move tiles only 100 total spaces." The matchstick abilities are neat, but almost completely superfluous. The only time I ended up using them was on the "turn the lights on" game, where I ended up using them almost every single time because the game has a ridiculously low move count that prohibits you from being able to try multiple approaches without failing out over and over. The plot is incomprehensible. Worse, it's intentionally incomprehensible. The premise is that you're wandering alone through the hazy mists of your own memories, looking at room after field, after bedroom, after music box, after hallway, after drawers, etc. Oh, and every time you clear a puzzle in one of these locations it disappears from your memory. ...so you're erasing your own memories. The game also drags on and on and on. You get to the last matchbox in the row to find that now you're going to find a SECOND matchbox of each color. I really love the engine, the idea of multiple games that are rotated through, the idea that the outcome of those games influences your choices in the story, etc. I just couldn't handle either the games that were supposed to be the core mechanic or the story that was, at best, nonsensical. ### 4/5 — Interesting & engaging game *2017-04-30, version 1.24* A new, unique way to imagine a game in a genre that has produced so many dry and monotonous Candy Crush clones. The story is good, albeit difficult to follow at times. The full story unlock is placed at a good time so as to make the player have enough background of the game to want to continue. As for the gameplay, the variety of puzzles keeps the player engaged, but at certain points the player can get stuck to the point that the game becomes boring. A hint system or somewhat of an online walkthrough would be helpful to assist players in getting through the more tedious areas, especially Chapter 10. Finally, the sound effects are nicely done, but a bit of ambient music would be appreciated, as it gets a little dry at times listening to the same clicks and chimes. Overall, great game, but needs some work. ### 4/5 — You had me until the games started being timed *2016-12-05, version 1.24* Having no discernible eye-hand coordination, I don't get much joy from timed mini games. We should have the ability to disable the timer. Seemed fun up until that point, though. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Wish I could still play it *2023-05-02, version 1.31* I loved playing this game. I wish I could do it again but it won’t open on the newer iPhones. :-( ### 5/5 — Clever and Innovative *2019-10-16, version 1.31* gem that combines classic puzzling mechanics with an evocative text adventure. Beautifully designed and highly recommended. ### 5/5 — Story and puzzle intertwine *2015-12-09, version 1.24* The best comparison I can make to this game is Quell, with its melancholy setting. But MSM incorporates the story into the look and feel and pace of the puzzles, to enchanting effect. One of a kind! ### 5/5 — Addictive *2015-05-05, version 1.24* Addictive and challenging, a neat little puzzle game with plenty of playability:) ### 5/5 — Match-4 with heart *2015-03-21, version 1.24* An intriguing story, fascinating meta-mechanics. The gameplay is simple, but manages to evoke the movement of the story from moment to moment. Great to pick up for a moment on the bus or an hour at your desk. ### 5/5 — At this point, it’s incredibly memorable *2015-01-06, version 1.24* a really nice break from explosions and tanks. I haven't checked out A Dark Room yet, but it looks like I might have to. I'm also trying to get the young ones into it, and so far I'm surprised at the reaction. Edit: I'm on the fence, playing both games right now. Finished a dark room, heading to finish this one now, but both so interesting. ### 5/5 — One of a kind, both story and game *2014-12-30, version 1.24* Sometimes it feels like a story, where I pass the time playing the games, though there are shiny parts where the games and the story come together in tense or emotional ways that leave me wondering if the game could really keep that level up the entire time. The touch interactions are majestic, the best I’ve played in a matching game, and it feels like you’re connected to it. I think it could be harder. But this new version mentions that might happen, so maybe I’ll play again. Anyways, really need, unique, not anything else like it out there. ### 5/5 — An Incredible experience. *2014-12-30, version 1.24* I was in tears at one point. I can't say enough. The pacing and story come together so perfectly. There are some chapters that I struggled with. There is a combination of colors and game and story in one place where I was sure I caught in an endless loop...until I realized the entire point of that chapter was the endless loop. OMG love love love. I might play endless modes, maybe I'll just sit and think about the story. I almost just want to cherish and not play again for fear of realizing I'd read into it too much. ### 5/5 — A little confusing at first *2014-12-30, version 1.24* I finished it! Some of the later chapters are enough to actually move you. I read a review that mentioned the garage chapter, lol, just stick with it, it's a bit much, and a bit repetetive. Before it and after it are fantastic... ### 5/5 — Pretty unexpected! *2014-12-30, version 1.24* Looking for a text adventure, is a neat mix of a few games. Less a pure text adventure and more of a story puzzle. I don't know, it's only been a few hours since I started and I'm still playing, so that's good. Not much for sound and effects, but doesn't get annoying either...at least I don't feel as bad playing with the sound off. --- *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 2026-07-01.*