Gardenscapes vs Homescapes: Difference and Comparison

Playrix, the same company that created Gardenscapes and Homescapes, developed and released both games. When we look closely at these games, we can detect a lot of parallels, not just in terms of the characters.

I had a lot of fun with both games and published some evaluations about them.

Key Takeaways

1. Gardenscapes is a game that focuses on restoring a garden, while Homescapes centers around renovating a house.
2. Both games utilize match-3 puzzle gameplay to progress, but Gardenscapes features outdoor scenes, and Homescapes showcases indoor environments.
3. The characters and storyline in both games are interconnected, with Austin the butler being the main protagonist in each game.

Gardenscapes vs Homescapes

Gardenscapes is a casual match-3 game in which players rebuild a garden and choose how to decorate it. Homescapes is a free-to-play puzzle game that allows players to earn resources and renovate and decorate a home’s interior as well as some exterior regions. It has more difficult levels.

Gardenscapes is a game developed by Playrix and launched in 2016 for Android and iOS devices and Facebook. The game takes place on a stunning tropical island.

We take on the role of Austin, and our mission is to clean the island of rubble and rehabilitate the neighboring areas. We do this by playing match-3 levels.

Homescape is a casual free-to-play game, and this one is for those longing for a classic match-three experience. The game is set in a garden, and you have to decorate it using various plants, pots, and elements.

The gameplay is straightforward; you need to swap two or more of the same tiles next to each other to remove them from the board. You can then plant new items onto the now empty spaces.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Gardenscapes	Homescapes
Level difficulty	The levels in Gardenscapes appear to be easier than Homescapes.	The levels in Homescapes appear to be more difficult than Gardenscapes.
Game features	Gardenscapes allows us to purchase unique designs for the game using a currency that is earned after completing challenging levels.	Homescapes don’t provide this much feature.
Upgrading and design	You may rebuild and redesign Austin’s villa’s backyard in Gardenscapes, in addition to playing traditional match-3 levels.	In Homescapes, you’re tasked with upgrading the villa’s interior as well as some exterior regions.
Difficulty level	In Gardenscapes, we may access over 19 different locations, including a guest house, a theatre, and other areas.	We can’t unlock as many locations in Homescapes as we can in Gardenscapes.
Launched on	The Android and iOS versions of Gardenscapes were released on July 5, 2016, and August 25, 2016, respectively.	The Android and iOS versions of Homescapes were released in August 2017 and September 2017.
Levels	Gardenscapes currently has over 6000 Levels, with new Levels released every Thursday by Playrix.	Homescapes currently has 8170 Levels, with new Levels released every Thursday and Friday by Playrix.

What is Gardenscapes?

Gardenscapes is an Android and iOS game initially released in Playrix’s Scapes series in 2016. It is also available on Facebook.

The gameplay is very similar to the popular game Candy Crush Saga.

 The main task in the Gardenscapes game is to clean up your uncle’s old garden, but it’s going to take more than a bit of weeding and pruning. You’ll have to master the art of matching flowers and clearing obstacles, among other things. 

There are many levels, each with its unique challenges, and you can go through them at your own pace without being rushed or timed. The graphics, sound effects, and music all add to the vibrant atmosphere, so you won’t just feel like you’re doing some gardening, and you’ll feel like you’re living it!

In Gardenscapes, players are tasked with restoring a dilapidated backyard to its former glory by completing various match-3 levels. Each level is presented as a board of tiles that can be swapped horizontally or vertically to match three or more identical tiles. 

Doing so will clear those tiles, allowing the player to advance further into the level and eventually meet the garden’s owner, Austin. Players must also gather coins, which are spent on powerups that help solve puzzles and clear debris from the garden. 

As more debris is cleared from the garden, new areas are revealed, and new tiles and powerups become available.

What is Homescapes?

Homescapes is a casual free-to-play puzzle game. Playrix was developed and launched in 2017 as a successor to their 2016 match-3 game Gardenscapes.

The game’s main character is Austin, a landscape architect who inherits a mansion and decides to fix it up upon moving in.

The game plays similarly to other games in the match-3 genre, requiring players to move items around on a board to make matches of three or more of the same thing. When matched, items are removed from the board, and new ones fall into place from above.

The game also includes powerups which can be activated when unique blue tiles are matched and then used to destroy items on the board. The game is free to play but contains in-app purchases, which allow players to buy gems that can speed up aspects of gameplay or unlock certain items quicker than would otherwise be possible. 

Additionally, players are given a limited number of lives at the start of each level. These can be replenished by waiting for them to refill automatically or by using diamonds purchased with real money.

The game also offers limited-time story levels, unlocked through regular gameplay or by purchasing keys with gems.*

Main Differences Between Gardenscapes and Homescapes 

1. We can access over 19 different sites in Gardenscapes, including a guest house, a theatre, and other regions; however, we can’t unlock as many destinations in Homescapes.
2. Gardenscapes levels look easier than Homescapes levels, while Homescapes levels appear to be more difficult than Gardenscapes levels.
3. Gardenscapes features almost 6000 levels, while Homescapes has 8170, with Playrix releasing new levels every Thursday and Friday.
4. In Gardenscapes, you may rebuild and redesign Austin’s villa‘s backyard as well as play classic match-3 levels. Still, in Homescapes, you must upgrade the villa’s interior and specific exterior elements.
5. Gardenscapes allows us to purchase one-of-a-kind designs with cash earned after finishing challenging levels, whereas Homescapes does not.
6. Gardenscapes was released for Android and iOS on July 5, 2016, and August 25, 2016, respectively, while Homescapes was published for Android and iOS on August 2017 and September 2017.

References

1. https://www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=911836
2. https://aaltodoc.aalto.fi/handle/123456789/44811