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Candy Crush is released by King for Facebook on April 12, 2012. This free-to-play match-three puzzle video game took the world by storm. Candy Crush is considered as one of the first and most successful freemium games. Candy Crush mobile version accumulated over 2.7 billion downloads since it was released 5 years ago. The game has been one of the highest-grossing and most-played mobile apps during that period of time.

In total, 32,854,456 reviews are found in Google play store with 4.6 stars rating. There has been 1,000,000,000+ installs and the most recent update is December 7, 2021. While in Apple app store Candy Crush is ranked No. 7 in Puzzle category with 4.7 stars rating by 2.3M users. The app is rated as 4+ on Apple iOS App store and “Everyone” in Google Play store. 

In Candy Crush, players need to match 3 or more same coloured candy pieces by switching them either horizontally or vertically. They will disappear from the screen once the match is made, in addition, the surrounding pieces fall and fill into the empty spaces as a chain effect. Players will be rewarded with points or level up if the chain reaction happens. Of course, frequently obstacles are tossed at players, such as jelly covered candy makes it more difficult to match. There are total of more than 100 levels of gameplay, with different degree of difficulties and various maps. It always provides a fresh perspective to challenge player. The game is suitable for all age group to play, but to fully master it is not as simple as it looks. 

Candy Crush connects with Facebook and keeps your highest scores so you can challenge your friends or get help from them, you can ask friends for extra lives once you have depleted yours. By incorporating social media components are certainly added benefits to attract more users into the game. 

App users need careful planning to achieve success in Candy Crush. There are maximum number of moves for each level. Players can’t move around randomly but to carefully design their moves so not to exceed the maximum. 

Some players voiced out their frustration over this game developers purposely use algorithm in designing the game to make them into spending money on boosters. When players try to save their boosters to use for levelling up, the game will force boosters to be forfeited/wasted. Some are annoyed with unnecessary changes happened around the game over the years. 

For example, taking away the booster meter, changes in the booster/ moves wheel, altered the appearance of some candy blockers, and much more. 

Cons

- Customized algorithm to force player to spend money to buy boosters.

- Unnecessary changes and App updates.

- Addictive and exploitative in nature.

Pros

- Easy to understand the game rule and suitable for all age group.

- Colourful interface and fun to play with.

- Planning and strategy required to achieve success in the game.