Discovering Nature is a matching game with a puzzle element thrown in there. The matching game is a more than a match three. The players need three to start the match, but can keep connecting animals of the same type and match more than three.

The object of the game is to get matches of three or more and to get the matches you need to connect animals of the same type or sometimes matching the food chain. The main objective to get past the levels is to put two of the same animals in the golden square. The puzzle piece is getting two of the same animals inside the golden square. You need to strategecally match animals so two fo the same kind fall in the golden square. Of course, some times you do get lucky and have two animals fall into the square right away. As you match animals into the square, you are collecting their DNA and you need to complete the DNA samples of each animal before the level ends. There is a bar that shows you how much more DNA you need and when the animal is complete is has a check mark next to it. You are collecting DNA to help find a cure for a virus that has been wiping out the animals.

The levels start out as matching types of animals, but then you get into matching food chains. When you match the food chains, you can only match three in a row. Matching the food chains does not change the second objective to get two of the same type of animal in the gold square. The gold square becomes more challenging as it splits into two squares attached on the diagonal instead of a big horizontal or vertical square.

As the levels progress, the levels get more challenging with items that stop animals from being matched. Some levels contain monkeys that swing through and throw bananas on an animal. The animal trapped in the sticky banana can’t be matched or moved it is stuck there until you get rid of the bananas with a bucket of water. You gain buckets of water as you play the levels. Other levels have catches, which hunters set, to capture animals. The animal in the catch can not be part of a match, but it can move down and when it hits the bottom the cage goes away.

You travel around the world and collect DNA samples from different animals. In between places in the world, you play mini games that give you extra points. The mini games differ from area to area.

The graphics in Discovering Nature are very nice looking. The animals that you match are high quality graphics and are easily decipherable. The story line graphics are also nicely done and are crisp and clear and you feel like you are there in the amazon or whichever are you are in.

I enjoyed playing Discovering Nature because of the match three type game combined with the puzzle logic. Getting the animals to fall into the golden square is challenging and takes some thought, but it keeps the game interesting and not just another match three game.