Galder: Strategy Meets Gem-Matching

Macs don’t have many games, I think that’s a fact that we all can agree on but Fastforward Software is changing that with their new game Galder, a gem matching game with a really unique twist unlike any out there!

Gem games are a dime a dozen now and I’m sure most of you are thinking, “What exactly could you do to make a gem game any different that the gem dropping, color matching games of the past?”

You add more strategy! Well that’s what Fastforward Software did, and it turned out to be the right addition to a genre that is overflowing with these titles. Galder, according to Fastforward Software, is a powerful Norse spell that was chanted or etched onto a surface. You, as the player, have been given the task of aligning gems to release the forces to weave a powerful Galder!

The Galder playing board is different from your typical gem matcher, instead of a drop-down rectangular board like most others the board is set up in sectioned, concentric circles. You’ll notice at first glance that there is a thicker line running from the middle all the way up to the top of the main circle, and that the outside edge is thicker than the rest of the board. The moving pointer in the middle is how you will choose your gems to match.

True, the objective is to match gems but, unlike most others, it is not to clear the board of gems; the primary objective is to get the high score, clearing the board merely gives you more points but isn’t required. Getting a high score doesn’t depend so much on how many gems you match and link together but how spread out those matched gems are.

To get the highest score possible you will also have to collapse and pack the gems to get the best spread, but you will have to be strategic about where you collapse and pack; you could just put yourself in a worse mess than you were before. Galder also sports network play where you can play against a friend with two game types — Taking Turns and Haste.

In Taking Turns you and your friend play against each other, taking turns matching gems on the same board; get the highest score and you win. If you like play a little faster-paced give Haste a try. In this variant you and your friend both play a board and the winner is whoever clears their board first. Of course, there is a penalty for not clearing your board so be careful with your gems.

Also, once you register, you can use your username and password to have your high scores uploaded to the game’s online highscore ladder. This is optional and can be turned off in the preferences as well. So if you’re looking for a game that will make you think and not just match a couple of colored gems, then I definitely recommend Galder for it’s ingenious gameplay mechanics and strategy.

My high score so far is 29746; what about you? Galder, created by Ivan Miles and published by Fastforward Software, is shareware. You can try it out from Fastforward Software’s website. The trial lasts for 60 minutes, after which you will have to buy a license for $19.99 USD.

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