Backdrop

Backdrop is a dual-layered match-3 style puzzle game which emphasizes thoughtful moves. Blocks have two colors which you must rearrange to clear the vexed blocks. There is no timer, and you can plan your moves at your own leisure.

Backdrop is made for the PICO-8 fantasy console. It is also available on PICO-8 SPLORE.

Controls

• Directional buttons: Move cursor
• X: Swap cursor color with block's back color
• O: Swap cursor color with block's center color
• X/O: Press the same button just pressed to undo the previous non-clearing move
• Pause: Menu options

Rules

The goal is to clear all vexed blocks before you run out of swaps.

Use the X/O buttons to swap your cursor color with the currently-selected block's back/center color. You cannot swap colors with vexed blocks.

To clear normal blocks, swap colors so their back and center colors match. Blocks above them drop down.

For any blocks that drop down, if they land next to a stationary block with the same back+center color and they form a group of 3+ matching blocks, then all of those blocks are removed in a chain clear.

Vexed blocks can only be removed in chain clears. This is called a vexed clear.

You start each level with 8 swaps. You get bonus swaps for each chain clear and each vexed clear. Use this benefit to clear all vexed blocks within the swap limit!

Features

• 12 difficulty levels.
• Interactive tutorial which succinctly teaches the gameplay.
• Seed system to replay the same exact level layout and share it with friends.
• Surprise content if you complete the final level!