Animal Drop Safari

Animal Drop Safari is a vibrant match-3 puzzle game where players swap and pop colorful animals to complete various challenges across 200 levels. Set in diverse environments from savannahs to arctic landscapes, the game tasks players with freeing caged animals, achieving high scores, and navigating obstacles like hedgehogs. With strategic moves, players can trigger chain reactions of power-ups, aiming to earn three stars on every level in this family-friendly adventure.

Animal Drop Safari: A Match-3 Adventure Through the Wild

Introduction

In the vast and ever-expanding landscape of casual gaming, Animal Drop Safari emerges as a charming yet unassuming title that blends the familiar mechanics of match-3 puzzles with the whimsical allure of a global wildlife expedition. Released in 2019 by Anawiki Games and published by Big Fish Games and HH Games, this title invites players to step into the shoes of an aspiring nature photographer, traversing diverse ecosystems from the savannah to the Arctic. At its core, Animal Drop Safari is a love letter to the match-3 genre, drawing heavy inspiration from titans like Candy Crush while carving out its own niche with a vibrant, animal-themed aesthetic and a relaxed, family-friendly approach.

Yet, beneath its colorful veneer lies a game that is both a product of its time and a reflection of the evolving expectations of casual gamers. It is a title that, while not revolutionary, offers a polished and enjoyable experience that has garnered a modest but dedicated following. This review seeks to dissect Animal Drop Safari in its entirety—exploring its development, narrative, gameplay mechanics, artistic direction, reception, and legacy—to determine its place in the pantheon of match-3 puzzlers and casual games at large.

---

Development History & Context

The Studio and Creators’ Vision

Animal Drop Safari was developed by Anawiki Games, a Polish studio with a portfolio deeply rooted in casual and puzzle games. Founded by Roman Budzowski, who serves as the team leader, Anawiki Games has consistently produced titles that cater to a broad audience, emphasizing accessibility, vibrant visuals, and engaging gameplay loops. Their body of work includes games like Avalon Legends Solitaire 2, Arizona Rose and the Pharaohs’ Riddles, and Magic Heroes: Save Our Park, all of which share a commitment to polished, family-friendly experiences.

For Animal Drop Safari, the studio collaborated with RetroStyle Games for graphics, lending the game its distinctive, cartoonish art style. The team’s vision was clear: to create a match-3 game that stood out not through mechanical innovation but through its thematic coherence and relaxed pacing. The game’s premise—a global safari to photograph animals—was designed to appeal to nature lovers and casual gamers alike, offering a lighthearted escape into the wild without the pressure of high-stakes competition.

Technological Constraints and the Gaming Landscape

Released in January 2019, Animal Drop Safari entered a gaming landscape dominated by mobile and casual titles. The match-3 genre, popularized by Bejeweled and later revolutionized by Candy Crush Saga, had become a staple of the casual gaming diet. By 2019, the market was saturated with variations on the formula, each attempting to differentiate itself through unique themes, power-ups, or progression systems.

Technologically, Animal Drop Safari was built using the Unity engine, a choice that reflects the studio’s focus on cross-platform accessibility. The game was initially released on Windows and later expanded to Macintosh, with a mobile version also available on the Google Play Store. The Unity engine allowed for a seamless transition between platforms, ensuring that the game’s vibrant visuals and smooth gameplay remained consistent across devices.

However, the game’s development was not without its constraints. The match-3 genre, while accessible, is also highly competitive, with players expecting a certain level of polish and innovation. Animal Drop Safari’s development team had to balance familiarity with novelty, ensuring that the game felt fresh while adhering to the established conventions of the genre. This tension is evident in the game’s design, which leans heavily on proven mechanics while introducing minor twists to keep players engaged.

The Role of Publishers: Big Fish Games and HH Games

The involvement of Big Fish Games and HH Games as publishers played a crucial role in Animal Drop Safari’s distribution and visibility. Big Fish Games, a well-known publisher in the casual gaming space, has a history of supporting titles that appeal to a broad audience. Their platform, which includes a subscription service and a digital storefront, provided Animal Drop Safari with a built-in audience of casual gamers eager for new content.

HH Games, another key publisher, further expanded the game’s reach, particularly in European markets. The collaboration between Anawiki Games and these publishers ensured that Animal Drop Safari received the marketing support and distribution channels necessary to compete in a crowded market. However, the game’s relatively low profile compared to industry giants like Candy Crush or Bejeweled suggests that it was positioned as a mid-tier casual title rather than a blockbuster.

---

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot and Premise

Animal Drop Safari’s narrative is simple yet effective, serving as a lightweight framework for its match-3 gameplay. Players assume the role of an aspiring nature photographer tasked with traveling the world to capture images of wildlife for Animal World magazine. The ultimate goal? To have one of your photographs featured on the magazine’s cover, a dream that drives the player’s journey through the game’s 200 levels.

The game’s structure is episodic, with each level representing a new location on the photographer’s global expedition. From the savannahs of Africa to the frozen tundras of the Arctic, the game’s settings are as diverse as the animals that inhabit them. The narrative is minimal, with the photographer’s assistant (the player) handling most of the legwork while the photographer occasionally snaps a picture to add to the collection.

While the story is not the game’s primary focus, it serves as a charming backdrop that enhances the thematic coherence of the experience. The idea of a safari—complete with animal photography and a sense of adventure—provides a compelling hook that differentiates Animal Drop Safari from other match-3 titles that rely on abstract or fantastical themes.

Characters and Dialogue

The game’s cast is limited but endearing. The photographer, though largely a background character, serves as a motivational figure, occasionally offering encouragement or commenting on the player’s progress. The animals, while not characters in the traditional sense, are the true stars of the game. Each species—from parrots and sloths to tigers and anacondas—is rendered with a cartoonish charm that makes them instantly recognizable and appealing.

Dialogue is sparse, with most of the game’s text appearing in the form of level objectives and tutorial prompts. The writing, handled by Alex Weldon, is functional and lighthearted, ensuring that the game remains accessible to players of all ages. There are no deep character arcs or complex interactions, but the game’s tone is consistently upbeat and engaging, reinforcing its family-friendly appeal.

Underlying Themes

At its heart, Animal Drop Safari is a celebration of nature and exploration. The game’s global safari theme encourages players to appreciate the diversity of the natural world, albeit in a highly stylized and gamified form. The act of photographing animals and collecting their images for a magazine reinforces the idea of conservation and appreciation, even if the gameplay itself is abstracted from real-world wildlife photography.

The game also touches on themes of persistence and skill development. As players progress through the levels, they are challenged to improve their match-3 strategies, aiming for higher scores and more stars. The ability to “sacrifice” stars for extra moves adds a layer of risk-reward decision-making, subtly reinforcing the idea that success often requires trade-offs.

However, Animal Drop Safari does not delve deeply into these themes. The game’s primary focus is on providing a relaxing and enjoyable puzzle experience, and its narrative and thematic elements are secondary to its gameplay. This is not a criticism but rather an acknowledgment of the game’s design priorities. For players seeking a casual, stress-free experience, the light narrative and thematic touches are more than sufficient.

---

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

Animal Drop Safari adheres closely to the established conventions of the match-3 genre, with a few minor twists to keep the experience fresh. The core gameplay loop involves:

1. Swapping adjacent tiles to create matches of three or more identical animal heads.
2. Completing level objectives, which vary from collecting a certain number of specific animals to freeing caged creatures or removing obstacles like hedgehogs.
3. Earning stars based on performance, with three stars representing a perfect score.
4. Progressing through the game’s map, unlocking new levels and environments as you go.

The game’s 200 levels are spread across nine natural environments, each with its own visual theme and set of challenges. The difficulty curve is relatively flat, with most levels offering a consistent challenge that is neither too easy nor too punishing. This design choice makes Animal Drop Safari accessible to players of all skill levels, though it may leave hardcore puzzle enthusiasts craving more complexity.

Match-3 Mechanics and Innovations

The match-3 mechanics in Animal Drop Safari will be instantly familiar to fans of the genre. Players swap adjacent tiles to create horizontal or vertical matches of three or more identical animal heads. Matches of four or more tiles create special power-ups, which can clear entire rows, columns, or specific areas of the board. These power-ups are essential for tackling the game’s more challenging levels, where obstacles like cages, ice, and hedgehogs complicate the puzzle-solving process.

One of the game’s minor innovations is its combo system, which rewards players for chaining matches together. At the end of each level, any remaining moves are automatically converted into a flurry of power-ups, creating a satisfying cascade of explosions that boosts the player’s score. This mechanic encourages strategic play, as players must balance immediate objectives with the potential for high-scoring combos.

The game also introduces five types of power-ups, which are unlocked as the player progresses. These power-ups can be used to clear specific tiles, remove obstacles, or create chain reactions. However, their recharge time—often requiring two to three levels worth of matches to become available again—limits their usefulness in rapid succession. This design choice ensures that players cannot rely solely on power-ups to progress, forcing them to engage with the core match-3 mechanics.

Obstacles and Level Design

Animal Drop Safari’s level design is where the game attempts to differentiate itself from its peers. Each level introduces a unique combination of obstacles and objectives, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly. Some of the most notable obstacles include:

• Cages: Single and double-strength cages must be broken by creating matches adjacent to them.
• Ice: Tiles encased in ice must be freed by matching them multiple times.
• Hedgehogs: These creatures cannot be matched directly and must be removed using power-ups or by creating matches around them.
• Fruit Flies and Coins: These items must be dropped to the bottom of the board by clearing the tiles beneath them.

The game’s level shapes also vary, with some boards featuring irregular layouts that add an extra layer of challenge. However, the difficulty remains relatively consistent, with only a handful of levels presenting a significant challenge. This design choice ensures that the game remains accessible but may leave experienced players wanting more.

Progression and Rewards

Progression in Animal Drop Safari is tied to the star system. Players earn up to three stars per level based on their performance, with higher scores and more efficient play yielding better rewards. These stars are used to unlock animal photographs, which are collected in a virtual album. While the photographs do not impact gameplay, they serve as a charming collectible that reinforces the game’s safari theme.

The game also features a currency system, where players earn in-game money by completing levels. This currency can be used to purchase additional power-ups, extra moves, or continues, providing a way to overcome particularly challenging levels. However, the game’s monetization is relatively light, with no aggressive microtransactions or paywalls blocking progress.

User Interface and Accessibility

Animal Drop Safari’s user interface is clean and intuitive, with a comic-book-style aesthetic that complements the game’s lighthearted tone. The main screen features a map of the player’s journey, with each level represented as a staging post along the route. The level select screen provides clear information about objectives, star ratings, and available power-ups.

The game’s tutorial system is integrated seamlessly into the gameplay, with on-screen prompts appearing as new mechanics are introduced. This approach ensures that players are never overwhelmed with information, allowing them to learn at their own pace. The game also offers customizable settings, including the ability to toggle sound effects and music, as well as a full-screen mode for immersive play.

Accessibility is a strength of Animal Drop Safari, with the game’s relaxed pacing and lack of a timer making it suitable for players of all ages and skill levels. The absence of a competitive multiplayer mode further reinforces the game’s focus on casual, stress-free enjoyment.

---

World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

Animal Drop Safari’s world is a stylized, cartoonish interpretation of the natural world, with each of the game’s nine environments offering a distinct visual theme. From the lush greens of the Amazon to the icy blues of the Arctic, the game’s settings are vibrant and inviting, reinforcing the sense of a global adventure.

The game’s map system serves as a visual representation of the player’s journey, with a winding path connecting each level. The map is layered over a comic-book-style background, which changes to reflect the current environment. This design choice enhances the game’s thematic coherence, making the player’s progress feel like a true expedition.

Visual Direction

The art style of Animal Drop Safari is one of its strongest assets. Developed in collaboration with RetroStyle Games, the game features bright, colorful visuals that are both charming and easy on the eyes. The animal heads, which serve as the game’s tiles, are rendered in a cartoonish, almost plush-toy-like style, making them instantly recognizable and appealing.

The game’s animations are smooth and satisfying, with matches and power-ups triggering cascades of particles and explosions. The combo system, in particular, is a visual highlight, with unused moves at the end of a level transforming into a spectacular chain reaction of power-ups. This attention to visual feedback ensures that the gameplay remains engaging and rewarding.

Sound Design and Music

The audio design of Animal Drop Safari complements its visual style, with upbeat, lighthearted music that enhances the game’s relaxed atmosphere. Composed by Martin Wierzbicki, the soundtrack is unobtrusive but catchy, providing a pleasant backdrop to the puzzle-solving experience.

The game’s sound effects are equally well-crafted, with each match, power-up, and obstacle triggering a distinct audio cue. The animal sounds, in particular, add a layer of charm, with each species emitting a cute, cartoonish noise when matched. These audio elements, while simple, contribute to the game’s overall sense of fun and whimsy.

---

Reception & Legacy

Critical and Commercial Reception

Animal Drop Safari received a modest but positive reception upon its release in 2019. While the game did not garner widespread critical attention, it found a dedicated audience among casual gamers and fans of the match-3 genre. On Steam, the game holds a Steambase Player Score of 83/100, based on 18 reviews, placing it in the “Very Positive” category. Players praised the game’s charming visuals, relaxed pacing, and enjoyable gameplay, though some criticized its lack of innovation and repetitive level design.

Commercially, Animal Drop Safari performed well within its niche, with the game’s mobile version on the Google Play Store amassing over 100,000 downloads and a 4.4-star rating based on 3,300 reviews. The game’s light monetization model, which avoids aggressive microtransactions, likely contributed to its positive reception among players.

Evolution of Reputation

In the years since its release, Animal Drop Safari has maintained a steady, if unremarkable, reputation as a solid casual puzzle game. It has not achieved the cultural impact of titles like Candy Crush or Bejeweled, but it has carved out a niche as a relaxing, family-friendly alternative to more competitive or stressful match-3 games.

The game’s lack of Steam achievements and limited post-launch support have been points of criticism among some players, who feel that the game could have benefited from additional content or features. However, its polished gameplay and charming presentation continue to attract new players, particularly those seeking a low-pressure puzzle experience.

Influence on Subsequent Games

Animal Drop Safari’s influence on the match-3 genre is minimal, as the game does not introduce any groundbreaking mechanics or design innovations. However, its successful blend of thematic coherence and relaxed gameplay serves as a model for other casual puzzle games seeking to differentiate themselves through setting and atmosphere rather than mechanical complexity.

The game’s use of a global safari theme and animal photography collectibles has inspired similar approaches in other titles, though none have replicated Animal Drop Safari’s specific charm. Its combo system and power-up mechanics are also reflective of broader trends in the match-3 genre, where player agency and strategic depth are increasingly emphasized.

---

Conclusion

Animal Drop Safari is a polished, charming, and enjoyable match-3 puzzle game that succeeds in delivering a relaxed and engaging experience. While it does not break new ground in terms of mechanics or innovation, it excels in its thematic coherence, visual appeal, and accessibility, making it a standout title in the crowded casual gaming market.

The game’s global safari theme and animal photography collectibles provide a compelling narrative backdrop, while its match-3 gameplay is refined and satisfying. The combo system and power-ups add strategic depth without overwhelming the player, and the visual and audio design create a lighthearted, immersive atmosphere.

However, Animal Drop Safari is not without its flaws. The lack of a steep difficulty curve may leave experienced players wanting more, and the repetitive level design can make the game feel formulaic over time. The absence of Steam achievements and post-launch content also limits its long-term appeal.

Ultimately, Animal Drop Safari is a solid, well-crafted casual game that delivers on its promise of a fun and relaxing puzzle adventure. It may not redefine the match-3 genre, but it offers a delightful escape into the wild that is well worth the journey for fans of casual gaming.

Final Verdict: 7.5/10 – A charming and polished match-3 adventure that is perfect for casual gamers seeking a relaxed and enjoyable experience.