Regular users of Facebook will have probably noticed a huge rise in the popularity of a game called Bubble Witch Saga. That or I'm alone in having many friends who are hooked on the game. I can see why, Bubble Witch Saga taps into that "easy to play but difficult to complete" vibe that's guaranteed to lure players in.
The best comparison to make is that Bubble Witch Saga is a lot like Bust-a-Move. Players are presented with a screen full of colourful bubbles. Match three of them by flinging a bubble their way and they vanish into nothing. It's a typical Match Three style format and one that's often proven successful.
Bubble Witch Saga follows a set structure for each level, so in a way it's also part puzzle game as well as a matter of lining up shots perfectly. It's quite challenging stuff as players are given a limited number of shots to complete the level within. Somewhat predictably, in-app purchases are available to make things a lot easier, but the satisfaction stems from winning through skill.
There's a ton of levels to work through, over 150 in all, so there's plenty to sink one's gaming teeth into. Refreshingly, players can switch between the app and the Facebook game without losing progress, which is a handy touch for avid players. In both cases, numerous power-ups are available to boost the player's performance.
Bubble Witch Saga is a simple yet compelling game. It's a format we've all seen before in some guise but it does so with enthusiasm. The huge array of levels means there's plenty to play through and I can easily see this being a game to return to for a while to come. It doesn't reinvent the wheel but nor does it need to. It has its captive audience all lined up.