There seems to be a lot of games these days that involve matching colored gems. Magic Shop is no different in that you need to make matches of at least three of a kind to clear the board. As the new magic shop owner, it's up to you to make artifacts for your guests as quickly as possible.

The original shop owner, a wise elf named Loriel, was the one who created and sold these magic artifacts to customers. After he wandered off (or retired), others have tried to take his place, but no one was really up to snuff. As the player, it's your chance to follow in Loriel's footsteps.

The game plays on a grid, and pieces fall down from the top. The colored pieces on the board are magic elements, and you need to collect these in order to make your artifact. The elements will jiggle if you move your mouse over the ones that can be cleared. You need to have at least three elements next to each other (no diagonals) before you can clear them. Once they're cleared, more pieces will fill their place, unless there's a stone or locked element in the way. There are several elements needed per artifact, so you need to collect a certain number of each color. On the bottom left side of your screen is your indicator of what colors you need and how much you've collected.

Once your guests come knocking, you need to quickly collect these elements, because their patience and satisfaction slowly decreases as time goes on. There are 25 stages, which are the equivalent of a day. In between stages, you have the ability to buy artifacts and potions with rubies that you've earned. Rubies are found in your elements, so it's in your best interest to clear the elements that have rubies in them. Once you purchase a new artifact, you are able to sell it. Potions are there to keep customers happy, which is useful if you're having difficulty with a particular level. There is a goal that you must reach each day; if you don't meet it, you lose a try, and you only get three attempts before the game is over.

After a few stages, there is a bonus level that is like a memory-card game. Instead of the cards disappearing once you've found a pair, they stay, but the card changes. The purpose is to get enough points to send an invitation to a grand wizard. There are seven in the game if you want to meet them all. When they show up at your shop, they're one of the better customers, because they use their magic to help you in various ways, like getting rid of stones or increasing the power of your spells.

In the top right corner, you'll have access to spells that can help you collect elements. These work like power-ups. The spells vary, and the longer you wait, the more powerful the spells become. Some spells help you sort the elements, making it a cinch to collect your remaining elements. Others can help you destroy the stones that get in your way or get rid of an element you don't need.

The fantasy artwork in this game is incredibly beautiful, and the entire game is nice to look at. Other than the game screen, there isn't much to see except your new customers. The music blends in well, and it provides a fitting atmosphere. It's a very simple game that can keep you entertained, as long as you don't grow bored with the gameplay. In the main menu, there is a trophy room that you can access after you've hit certain achievements. For those who like high scores and collecting achievements, you can be at this game for awhile.

Magic Shop is another fun casual game that involves a lot of furious mouse-clicking. Unless you're a huge fan of that kind of thing, I doubt this type of game is for you. They're always great for a few levels, and then you realize that you're doing the same thing over and over, but the ambiance is different.