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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Garden Affairs vs Manor Matters

Garden Affairs 4.8★ · Free + IAP 70
Winner Tie
Manor Matters 4.7★ · Free + IAP 65

Choose Garden Affairs if you prefer a traditional match-3 game with extensive levels and a strong focus on decoration, but be aware of potential glitches and difficulty spikes; opt for Manor Matters if you enjoy a mix of hidden object and match-3 gameplay, though recent changes have shifted its focus more towards match-3, disappointing long-time fans.

Full reviews: Garden Affairs · Manor Matters

Garden Affairs offers a classic match-3 experience with a strong emphasis on garden and mansion decoration, praised for its graphics and lack of forced in-app purchases, but it faces issues with glitches, difficulty spikes, and misleading ads. Manor Matters, originally a hidden object game, has transitioned to include significant match-3 elements, leading to mixed reviews from users who miss its original gameplay, alongside reports of technical issues and aggressive monetization.

Head to head

Gameplay & Features tieR2R3R11R18
Garden Affairs Garden Affairs is primarily a match-3 game focused on garden and mansion decoration, with some users appreciating its addictive nature and lack of annoying minigames R2R3. However, some recent updates have introduced merge mini-games and house makeovers, which alienated players who preferred the original match-3 focus . Players enjoy the creative match puzzles and story R11, but some find the decor options ugly and unmatching . There are also complaints about the game not matching its advertisements, particularly regarding story elements and decision-making R18.
Manor Matters Manor Matters originally stood out as a hidden object game, which many users loved for its unique gameplay R73R82R88. However, recent updates have significantly shifted its core gameplay to include more match-3 levels, disappointing many long-time players who feel it has lost its unique identity and become like 'Candy Crush' R63R73R82. While some still enjoy the story, characters, and side quests , the change in gameplay is a major point of contention.
Difficulty & Progression tieR3R4R7R12
Garden Affairs Garden Affairs has inconsistent difficulty, with some users finding it 'extremely easy' due to abundant power-ups from events R3, while others report levels becoming '100% impossible' after a certain point, particularly around level 140 or when needing 6 stars to progress R4R7. The slow pace of earning stars (1-2 per game) compared to the cost (2-4 stars per story progression) makes the storyline feel like a 'drag' R12.
Manor Matters Manor Matters also suffers from inconsistent difficulty, with 'hard' levels often being significantly more challenging than 'super hard' ones . Players frequently get stuck for 'days and days' without progression unless they spend money . There are also complaints about power-ups not being impactful or going to the 'stupidest spots' .
Reliability & Performance tieR5R10R13R16
Garden Affairs Garden Affairs users report numerous technical issues, including constant crashing and freezing R27. Specific glitches include rewards not showing up R13, game sound disappearing after ads , and extra modules like the dice game being 'very glitchy' R5. Many users have experienced the game failing to load, getting stuck at 0MB or 99% R10R16R22.
Manor Matters Manor Matters also has significant reliability problems, with many users unable to open the game due to freezing, black screens, or crashing, especially after updates . Some users report the game becoming 'bloating' and requiring too much RAM . There are also reports of glitches in specific missions or daily rewards not appearing .
Monetization & Value tieR1R7R11R15
Garden Affairs Garden Affairs is a free-to-play game with in-app purchases, and opinions are divided on its monetization. Some users praise it for being playable without spending money, even at high levels R11R47. However, others feel it's a 'money grabber' and 'too expensive to play,' reporting that levels become impossible after purchases R7. There are also serious complaints about being 'overcharged,' with transactions being double or triple the expected price R15. Pop-ups are a frequent annoyance R1.
Manor Matters Manor Matters is also free-to-play with IAPs, and many users describe it as a 'money vacuum' designed to maximize spending through unfair programming . Players feel forced to spend money to progress past difficult levels . While some enjoy the rewards, they question if this will continue without significant payment . Pop-ups are also a common complaint . There's a report of being charged more than the advertised price for a package .
Customer Support tieR6R10R14R19
Garden Affairs Garden Affairs users report poor customer service. Issues include no response from support after waiting in a queue R10, unhelpful responses to purchase issues R19, and a lack of a simple in-game option to reset progress, requiring users to wait 'weeks for customer support' R6R14. Some users also note that app support is only through Facebook, which is inconvenient for those without an account .
Manor Matters Manor Matters' customer support is also criticized, with one user calling it 'trash' after multiple issues . Another user was told to 'buy a better iPad' when their game wouldn't load, which was not helpful .
Pick Garden Affairs if

you prefer a more traditional match-3 game with a strong focus on decorating and a charming story, and you appreciate a game that can be played without constant in-app purchases R2R11.

Pick Manor Matters if

you enjoy a mix of hidden object and match-3 gameplay, are interested in a game with a good story and interesting characters, and don't mind the shift in gameplay focus from hidden objects to match-3 .

Evidence note: Both apps are free-to-play with in-app purchases, and much of the negativity for both stems from monetization practices and technical issues. The lifetime ratings are very similar, and recent reviews for both show a downward trend due to these issues, making it a close comparison.

Frequently asked

Can I play Garden Affairs without spending money?
Yes, many users report that Garden Affairs can be played and enjoyed without making any purchases, even at high levels, with one player reaching level 7608 without spending a penny R11R47.
Has Manor Matters changed its gameplay?
Yes, Manor Matters has significantly changed its gameplay from primarily a hidden object game to one that heavily incorporates match-3 levels, which has disappointed many long-time players who preferred the original hidden object format R63R73R82R88.
Are there issues with in-app purchases in Garden Affairs?
Yes, some users have reported being overcharged for in-app purchases in Garden Affairs, with one user stating they were charged $12.98 for an item they thought was $2.99 R15.
Do either of these games have technical problems?
Both Garden Affairs and Manor Matters have significant technical problems, with users reporting frequent crashing, freezing, and issues with the games failing to load or getting stuck on black screens, especially after updates R10R16R22R27.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R2] Garden Affairs 5/5 · US Good game: I picked up Garden Affairs thinking it’d just be another chill merge game, but it actually surprised me. At first it feels pretty simple, just merging items and fixing up the garden, but it gets more addictive the longer you play. There’s always something to do, and unlocking new areas keeps it interesting.
  2. [R3] Garden Affairs 3/5 · US Too easy: First off, I want to say that I’m really glad you didn’t include those terrible minigames that other match 3 game do. Aside from that, I’m finding that the game is objectively extremely easy. The levels only have 4 types of objects making it very easy to get power ups. However, I feel that the main factors are the events. There are always several of them going on at once so I end up cons
  3. [R11] Garden Affairs 5/5 · US Best Design & Match without major bucks: I've played an embarrassing number of the design/match games in the App Store. All the others have quickly become frustrating unless you spend money. This game has truly creative match puzzles (with cool arrangements and match effects) and I haven't spent a penny. I'm on level 7608. I keep expecting them to force me (tempt me) to use money and I do hope
  4. [R18] Garden Affairs 3/5 · US Not as advertised: This advertisement is completely wrong. I’m on like level 2100 or something. She’s not married and it’s not the kind of matching game as this says.
  5. [R4] Garden Affairs 1/5 · US Too hard once you reach a certain level: Once you reach a certain level they completely stall the progress needing 6 stars to move ahead. It makes the game so frustrating and slow so I’m quitting for good.
  6. [R7] Garden Affairs 1/5 · US Money Grabber: Do not spend money on this game. The levels become 100% impossible afterwards. It upset me. They offer triple of something you want for a price, and you cannot go any further. The levels become impossible. I won’t spend money on this app ever again.
  7. [R12] Garden Affairs 3/5 · US Cute but corny story, but too stingy on earning stars: I understand the app developers want to make $, but the game is so slow as you only earn 1-2 stars per game (and sometimes it takes multiple times to play the same level) who has that much time in a day to play an app?! And each time you use stars to progress the story line, it takes 2-4 stars!! So you spend about 1-1.5 hours a day to move th
  8. [R5] Garden Affairs 4/5 · US Extras are glitchy: I love the dice game and the homes, but they are both very glitchy. Right now I can’t buy new plots though I have enough flowers and cash. I constantly have to restart the game playing these extra modules. I’ve not had this problem with the match 3 portion, it seems very stable. Overall a fun game but I wish they’d fix the extras (and add new furniture, etc!).
  9. [R10] Garden Affairs 1/5 · US Stories not loading: Stories, or rather game resources, are not loading. I can't progress further. The game constantly hangs at 0 MB, and it says my internet is loading at 0 MB, even though my connection is stable and fast. I tried deleting my account to start fresh, but it doesn't say anywhere how long account deletion will take. Support always has 3 people in the queue, even though I waited for an hour. I don't know... · translated
  10. [R13] Garden Affairs 1/5 · US Rewards: When making matches, the rewards are not showing up. Causing key plays/strategy unable to happen resulting in a loss. (ie: match 5 for a star)
  11. [R16] Garden Affairs 1/5 · US Game won't run: Has your game been discontinued? Why can't I get in this whole week? Every time I open it, it stops at 99% loading. After opening the repair tool, the contact customer service interface also won't load; clicking does nothing! Should I uninstall and reinstall now, or wait for you to fix this bug? · translated
  12. [R1] Garden Affairs 1/5 · US Annoying: Pop ups every second
  13. [R15] Garden Affairs 3/5 · US Overcharged: Game is fun but when you buy coins they charge you double or triple what you think you are paying. Example I thought I was $2.99 but my card charged $12.98. I will be disputing with my bank
  14. [R6] Garden Affairs 3/5 · US Reset garden affairs.: Most games have a way to delete or reset their progress from game to the beginning. I’m not able to find how to rest garden affairs games Apple. Version. Please respond.
  15. [R14] Garden Affairs 4/5 · US Starting the game over: Please make a button where you can start the game over for fun without having to wait weeks for customer support. Thank you!
  16. [R19] Garden Affairs 2/5 · US Bad Customer Service: After making a purchase my adde to add moves disappeared i reached out to cs multiple times and no one helped
  17. [R47] Garden Affairs 5/5 · US Great game with no need to purchase anything.: Very fun to play and no purchases needed to beat any level. I have only purchased the vip pass several times. That pass lasts the whole month at that. I am on level 2,740
  18. [R63] Manor Matters 3/5 · US Good game but please change it back!: I loved this game when it first came out! The search and find levels were every level with different twists to it to make it interesting. But now it changed to basically a match 3 game with just a few search and find levels thrown in. It’s just like all the rest of their match 3 games. Although it does have a good story and interesting characters, I was mostly
  19. [R73] Manor Matters 1/5 · US Jazz: I loved this game so much, I enjoyed finding hidden objects and clues now I am forced to play candy crush , sadly it became just like any other game it lost it’s unique part that made us love playing this game for hours . I am debating whether or not deleting it . I am super disappointed with the new updates . I know I am so late to this review but I thought I should give it time maybe they
  20. [R82] Manor Matters 1/5 · US Terrible: This game used to be so much fun as it was a hidden objects only game. Now it’s basically a candy crush game and the hidden object levels are so easy now and not even fun. So I deleted the game. I will not redownload unless you guys change it back to how it used to be.
  21. [R88] Manor Matters 2/5 · US An unfortunate path.: I absolutely loved this game. I’d play it for hours on end, searching for items as it WAS a hidden object game. To come back to it and find it’s now mostly a match-3 game is disheartening, to say the least. I love restoration games but do not enjoy merge or match-3 games. This was a good game because it was neither of those things! It was unique! Now it’s just like homescapes
  22. [R22] Garden Affairs 1/5 · US Hasn’t Worked in a month: Your app is no longer working and has a repair page on the screen and guess what???? It goes no where!!!!
  23. [R27] Garden Affairs 3/5 · US GAME WON’T LOAD: Have to try many times to get game to load. Then I can only play a level or two before it freezes.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store