Understanding Level Objectives and Win Conditions

Read the Objective Panel Before Playing

Each level has a short briefing and small icons that represent the target. The objective panel tells you what must be completed and, just as importantly, what is optional. For example, a score requirement may be listed alongside a “clear the jelly” requirement, but the level ends only when all the target jellies are cleared. The score is typically a secondary target for star ratings, not a condition that must be met to pass.

Take a moment to identify the symbols: jelly squares, ingredients to bring down, color collection, or specific blockers that must be removed. This helps you decide whether to focus on board clearing, ingredient paths, or color setup. It also helps avoid wasting moves on areas that do not affect the goal.

Clear the Jelly: Layered Targets

“Clear the jelly” levels usually place jelly under certain tiles. Some jellies have multiple layers, so a single match does not always remove them. You can tell a multi-layered jelly by its thicker or darker appearance. In these levels, the priority is to reach every jelly location at least once and then return to deeper layers that need extra hits.

A common mistake is to keep clearing the center while edge jellies remain. Instead, scan the board for jellies blocked by frosting or licorice and work to open paths to those tiles. Once the board opens, area-effect matches such as striped or wrapped candies are more useful than basic three-candy matches because they can reach multiple jelly squares in one move.

Bring Down Ingredients: Path Management

Ingredient levels ask you to drop items like cherries or hazelnuts to the bottom. The objective is fulfilled when all required ingredients are brought down through designated exits. Check the number of exits and the path each ingredient must travel. If the board has multiple exits, it may be more efficient to keep the column under each exit clear rather than focusing on one side.

Early moves should focus on opening vertical paths. Clearing blockers above exit columns is often more effective than creating special candies that do not reach the lower rows. Once the path is open, downward cascades become your ally because they can move ingredients without spending moves.

Collect Orders: Track the Exact Counts

Order levels require you to collect specific candies, blockers, or special patterns. The objective panel lists exact counts, such as collecting a number of purple candies or setting off striped candies. Instead of clearing the board randomly, count how many of each item you still need after every few moves. This reduces last-minute surprises when one item type is still missing.

For candy color collection, it helps to avoid matches that remove a color you still need unless you are setting up a larger match or creating a special candy. For special candy orders, focus on creating those candies in safe areas where they can be activated without breaking the board structure.

Score Targets and Star Ratings

Some levels display a score target, and others allow you to earn one to three stars. A star rating is optional and does not affect whether you pass the level. If the objective is to clear jelly or bring down ingredients, those tasks take priority. High scores typically come from large cascades and special candy combinations, but these should be set up only when they also support the primary objective.

If you are replaying a level for a better score, the goal changes. Maximize cascades and look for opportunities to combine special candies. For a first-time pass, focus on completing the core objective efficiently.

Timed and Limited-Move Levels

Timed levels add urgency. In those, the objective is still the same, but time pressure means you should prioritize fast, reliable matches over complex setups. Limited-move levels require a different mindset: every move must contribute to the objective. If a move does not advance the goal or set up a direct advantage in the next move, it is usually not worth taking.

A practical tactic in limited-move levels is to identify the most constrained areas first, such as blocked corners or isolated ingredient paths.

Putting It All Together

The most reliable way to pass levels is to treat the objective as a checklist. Identify the objective type, scan the board for the tiles that matter, and set a move-by-move priority. When you keep your focus on the actual win condition, you reduce wasted moves and improve your odds of finishing with moves to spare.