Puzzle Combat – RPG Match 3 Review: Scam or Legit? Here’s the Shocking Truth

Puzzle Combat – RPG Match 3 Review: Is It a Legit Game or a Greedy Pay-to-Play Trap?

In the ever-growing sea of mobile match-3 games, Puzzle Combat – RPG Match 3 stands out with explosive combat and strategic elements. But beneath the flashy graphics and RPG gimmicks lies a frustrating truth: this game may be less about fun and more about draining your wallet.

Let’s break down the game, its developer, how it works, its red flags, and whether it’s a scam, a legit app, or just a pay-to-play trap that’s not worth your time.

🎮 What Is Puzzle Combat – RPG Match 3?

Puzzle Combat is a mobile RPG match-3 game developed by Small Giant Games, the same creators behind the popular hit Empires & Puzzles. The game merges match-3 mechanics with RPG character leveling, gear crafting, and base-building — all common mechanics in modern freemium games.

It’s available on both Android and iOS and is heavily monetized through in-app purchases, loot boxes, and VIP passes.

👤 Who Owns Puzzle Combat?

Developer: Small Giant Games
Publisher: Zynga Inc (now part of Take-Two Interactive Software Inc.)
Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland

CEO of Small Giant Games: Timo Soininen
Zynga CEO (parent company): Frank Gibeau

Zynga is a well-known giant in the freemium gaming space, notorious for prioritizing monetization mechanics in their apps.

💰 How Does Puzzle Combat Make Money?

Puzzle Combat relies on the following revenue sources:

• In-app purchases (USD, EUR, and other currencies)

• Loot boxes and gacha-style summoning

• Energy recharges

• Character upgrades and weapon packs

• VIP pass subscriptions

The game is designed to lure you in with early wins and then gradually increase difficulty until you're tempted—or forced—to spend.

🚩 Red Flags in Puzzle Combat – RPG Match 3

Here’s why many players call Puzzle Combat a “wallet trap” or even a scam-like setup:

1. Pay to Play, Not Just Pay to Win

The game isn’t merely pay-to-win. It’s pay-to-continue. You will reach a point where even completing a basic mission becomes nearly impossible without boosts, special weapons, or better heroes — all of which cost money.

2. Free Players Are Crushed

Free-to-play users struggle after the first few levels. Even with skilled matching, the enemies are overpowered, and your 5-man team is quickly wiped out — often in under 2–3 minutes of battle.

3. Rigged Difficulty Scaling

AI-controlled enemies are suspiciously overpowered. Many users have observed:

• Enemies getting critical hits more often

• Your special attacks missing or doing less damage

• Increased enemy resistance against even high-tier characters

It leads many to believe the game uses dynamic difficulty adjustment to push you toward spending.

4. Low Drop Rates

Summoning strong characters or getting powerful weapons often requires real money. However, the chances of getting top-tier heroes are very low, unless you're lucky or spend hundreds of dollars.

5. Short-lived Buffs and Power-ups

Many buffs and strong weapons are temporary or have limited uses, forcing you to repurchase them regularly if you want to stay competitive.

6. Heavy Ads and Misleading Promises

Puzzle Combat ads often exaggerate gameplay, making it seem like a non-stop action game. But in reality, you’ll mostly be stuck waiting for energy, grinding endlessly, or staring at defeat screens.

⚔️ Gameplay Breakdown

• Match-3 Battle: Combine tiles to attack enemies

• Hero System: Collect and upgrade characters

• Gear & Weapons: Craft or buy to enhance power

• Base Building: Upgrade your base for resources

• PvP: Heavily pay-to-win arena mechanics

While the mechanics are smooth, everything is locked behind long wait times or paywalls.

💬 User Complaints from Online Platforms

From Reddit, Trustpilot, and Play Store reviews:

• “I spent over $50 and still couldn’t progress.”

• “The game’s too greedy. It's a pay trap.”

• “The AI is rigged. Doesn’t matter how good your strategy is.”

• “Loot boxes are trash. Total scam.”

• “Support doesn’t respond when you lose purchased items.”

❌ Is Puzzle Combat a Scam or Legit?

Puzzle Combat is not an outright scam in the legal sense — it does function, and it delivers a playable game.

BUT, it falls under what many call a “predatory pay-to-play model”:

• False hope through early rewards

• Aggressive monetization

• Manipulative difficulty

• Unfair gameplay for free users

The game is designed to make you feel frustrated enough to pay, over and over again. In this sense, it exploits psychological tricks to extract money, which is ethically questionable.

✅ Verdict: Legit Game With Scammy Mechanics

Final Verdict:
Puzzle Combat is a legit app made by reputable companies, but uses manipulative monetization and unfair mechanics that push users to spend aggressively — especially if they want to win or progress.

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📢 Conclusion

Puzzle Combat – RPG Match 3 is not a game for casual players or anyone looking to enjoy free gameplay. If you're not ready to spend real cash continuously, this game will frustrate you more than it entertains.

It’s beautifully designed but rigged, expensive, and ultimately exhausting. Play at your own risk.