Genre-blending is nothing new for video games, but we think it's safe to say that the following two genres have never been blended together before: first-person shooters and match-3 games. Yes, you read that right: Matcho is a match-3 FPS that also bills itself as an action-adventure game with an actual story. It sounds nuts but the trailer (which you can watch at the top of this page) is worth taking a look at.
In Matcho, you play as the twentysomething Max, whose mysterious illness has kept him confined to the Triagon laboratories in search of a cure. The plot involves aliens, a kidnapping, and Max's malady, and if it's anywhere as intriguing as Matcho's gameplay appears to be, then we might all be in for something very unique.
The Unreal Engine-powered game promises "a non-linear, humor-packed plot with multiple endings" as well as "an extensive, built-in parkour system lets you wall-run, double-jump, float, and dash in any direction." Combos and chaining attacks will lead to bigger wins and, presumably, more fun.
We'll be keeping a close eye on this one. If you'd like to as well, you can wishlist Matcho on Steam if you're interested. Matcho will be released on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
Ryan McCaffrey is IGN's executive editor of previews and host of both IGN's weekly Xbox show, Podcast Unlocked, as well as our monthly(-ish) interview show, IGN Unfiltered. He's a North Jersey guy, so it's "Taylor ham," not "pork roll." Debate it with him on Twitter at @DMC_Ryan.