Ikibago: The Caribbean Jewel is a pirate themed puzzle game from Yamago. In it, you play a pirate in search of the fabled Ikibago jewel. You travel from point to point along a treasure map, utilizing a Match 3 puzzle game system to move your boat along.

The puzzles in Ikibago are deceptively simple. A set number of multicolored barrels move from one end of the screen to the other in vertical rows of five barrels each. You can exchange any barrel on the screen for any other, and if you manage to match up three like colored barrels in a vertical column by the time they reach the edge of the screen, they will be hauled off successfully and you will gain points. If not, the barrels explode and you lose a life.

As the game progresses, new twists are added. In short order the barrels start to speed up, adding to the pressure. Some barrels are locked in place, and you must find special key barrels to unlock them. Other power ups can be used to change a whole column into special gold barrels for extra points. Each spot on the map contains several “missions”. A mission is completed when either you meet a specific goal, complete a number of combos or unlock a number of barrels, or else you run out of barrels.

The pirate theme is evident in both the graphics and the music. The graphics are simple but cute. All in all Ikibago: The Caribbean Jewel is a fun puzzle game with a fair amount of challenge. If you are a fan of match three games, you should definately pick up Ikibago: The Caribbean Jewel.