Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected game is a layered tile-matching puzzle. Every time you get rid of an area of tiles you've matched, it can change how the board looks in some way. Unlike playing along with a rhythm track and just switching pieces back-and-forth like in a match-three game, you're looking to find groups of tiles that have the same color or image and are touching each other. Once you've got those, eliminate them; expose additional layers of tiles and watch them fall; and save your bombs for the times when there's no match left to be made using normal tiles.
Main Controls
- Use MOUSE and LEFT-CLICK
Overall Description of Game
This is a Mahjong-style tile matching puzzle with its own unique set of rules, unlike the traditional Mahjong Solitaire. In traditional Mahjong Solitaire you'd simply look to pair up all the free tiles. However, with Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected, you're looking to eliminate any groups of two or more tiles which have the same color/image and share sides. While this might seem a little simpler to grasp at first, it does add a level of strategy once the board starts to change.
The tiles on the board are layered, therefore eliminating one group of tiles can allow you to see other tiles which were previously covered. Anytime an empty space appears, new tiles will begin to fall into the space and when you clear a column, the remainder of the layout can shift. It's these cascading events which truly drive the puzzle forward. With a single strategic removal of tiles you can unlock additional groups of tiles without having to pop a bomb.
There are three primary boards in the game. As you complete each board, they become progressively harder to solve due to increased tile varieties. Later levels require greater focus as small groups of tiles can be eliminated quickly and individual pieces can hinder your ability to advance. This is why it is crucial to plan ahead. Randomly selecting tiles to remove can lead to running out of options prior to completing the board. Planning ahead allows you to develop stronger cascades and reserve your bombs for cleaning up any difficult-to-remove tiles at the end.
Other Important Features
- Remove any groups of 2+ adjacent tiles that have the same color/image.
- Reveal hidden layers of tiles as you remove previous layers.
- Cascading tiles as they fall and/or adjust their position after each removal.
- Pop your last bomb(s) when you can't locate any additional matches.
- Complete three increasingly difficult boards, carefully thinking about your next move.
- Experience the original style of Gorillaz Tiles with a visually stunning music-inspired theme.
New Player Tips
- Take a moment to review your board before clearing any tile combinations.
- When possible select larger tile combinations since they typically produce more clearance in terms of space.
- Reserve your bombs for situations in which you cannot identify any additional legal matches.
- Keep an eye on your bottom rows as clearing them can create beneficial cascading effects above.
Advanced Strategy Ideas
- Think about creating tile-falling patterns that create subsequent tile-combinations.
- Be cautious not to immediately clear small tile-pairs if they may eventually combine with larger groups.
- Pop your final bomb(s) close to completion of a board in order to remove those difficult-to-reach isolated tiles.
- Think about how a series of columns will rearrange themselves prior to clearing a large portion of the board.
Common Mistakes
- Treat Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected similar to Traditional Mahjong and only seek out open tile-pairs.
- Spend your bombs too early during a game while there are still opportunities for normal tile-matches.
- Clear the upper-most layer of your board before examining potential new layers below it.
- Overlook potential cascading opportunities that would result in free matches.
Q&A
What is Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected?
Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected is a Mahjong-style tile-matching puzzle where players attempt to match groups of identical adjacent tiles, reveal hidden layers, and use bombs to complete difficult boards.
How Do I Play Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected?
Identify at least two matching adjacent tiles, then click/tap on that group to remove it from your board. Continue clearing groups, generating cascades, and only pop a bomb when no standard match remains.
Are Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected and Gorillaz Tiles essentially the same thing?
Yes. There are many people searching for both versions under the title 'Gorillaz Tiles'. The underlying mechanics are the same: eliminate matching tile-groups, control multi-layered boards, utilize bombs when a game gets stuck.
How do bombs function?
Bomb's main purpose is to assist in eliminating tiles that are unable to be removed by means of normal matching. Bombs tend to be most effective near conclusion of a board when isolated piece(s) exist.
How many primary boards are included in Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected?
The game contains three main boards. Each consecutive board grows progressively harder as the number of different types of tiles increase and make finding matches much more challenging.
What is my best approach for removing all tiles from the board?
Try to eliminate as large a group as possible; aim for low areas to initiate cascades; preserve bombs for isolated pieces; planning several moves ahead tends to yield better results than rapidly tapping every match you see.
Final Thoughts
One reason why Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected is successful is that nearly every action taken during a level affects the layout of the level as a whole. A seemingly simple tile removal may not only show you hidden tiles but create a chain reaction that can lead to a variety of potential outcomes. With its unique combination of three boards; bomb system; and layered tile design, Gorillaz: Tiles of the Unexpected provides an entertaining puzzle experience that encourages players who love classic puzzle games with unorthodox methods for clearing the board to give this game a try.
Similar Mahjong Games
For fans of tile-based puzzle games, consider trying Mahjong Classic for a more conventional board-clearing experience. Another tile-path based matching puzzle experience can be found in Mahjong Link where players must link pairs through empty paths. Finally, for fans seeking fast-paced puzzle experiences with easy-to-follow rules, Match and Clear is a good option for quicker decision-making regarding tile removals.