Welcome to a new world. An ancient world. A world where the standard game is Columns, a game of strategy and quick thinking. Welcome to the world of Phoenicia, where Columns originated among the merchant class.

Columns is a game of strategy and quick thinking, where you must line the blocks up to get them to disappear from the play field. The more difficult the combinations, the more points are scored. You start with three jewels, and using the butttons, you switch the jewels places and thereby try to line up three or more. When you line up three, either horizontially, vertically, or diagonally, they diasppear from the play field, thereby alowing a little more room to negotiate the jewels that keep falling.

Columns is loosely derived from Tetris, as it involves arranging falling blocks in such a way as to clear them. However, in columns they are groups of 3 same-size but varying color blocks, which must be arranged into sequences of 3 or more, either horizontally, vertically or diagonally. Sequences of 4 or 5 count for double or triple points, and diagonal sequences score the most. The real trick is to set up “combos” – where one line causes other blocks to drop so as to create other lines.

As well as the normal game mode, there is also a “flash” mode, in which the aim is simply to remove a particular block from the base of the pre-formed pile of bricks. The difficulty of this can be determined by increasing the number of complete rows which are already in place.

Columns features:

• One or two players.
• Flash Columns.
• Line up the gems and watch them disappear.
• If the jewels fill the screen, the game is over.
• Game gets more challenging as your skills improve.

In ancient Phoenicia, merchants were fond of a game called Columns, in which players would try to align jewels on a board across, down, or diagonally. Now you can venture back to those times, as you try to line up your own jewels and score some points in the process. As you match gems of like colors, they disappear and a new set falls from the top of the screen. As you stack more and more jewels, they start falling faster and faster, if the screen fills with gems, your game is over. There are several different ways to enjoy Columns: you can play Flash Columns, where you have to make a flashing gem disappear before time runs out; you can practice by yourself; or you can play head-to-head against a friend. If you're ready for a game that's full of strategy and action, then you're ready for Columns.

TYPICAL PUZZEL GAME NICE COLORS