Hero Emblems in IOS

Puzzle JRPG

Walkthrough, Guilds, Tips on this special game

Our Site Score

86/100

Hero Emblems is a masterclass in how to blend Match-3 puzzles with deep RPG mechanics. Unlike casual match-3 games, every move here matters; matching Emblems isn't just about points, it's about activating your knight's shield, your mage's spells, or your cleric's heals. The game feels like a traditional JRPG—complete with a charming story and challenging bosses—but with a combat system that is perfectly suited for mobile.

There is no 'energy' limit or predatory microtransactions here; it's a premium experience that respects your time. The difficulty can spike significantly, requiring you to think several moves ahead to set up 'Magic Emblems' for powerful skills. Finding the right balance between offense and defense is key, and the sense of relief after barely surviving a dragon fight with a last-second heal is incredibly rewarding. It remains one of the best RPGs on the App Store.

Reviewed on: Fri Feb 27 2026
Dinsun Avatar

Dinsun Review

Look, I’ve seen a thousand match-3 'RPGs' that are nothing more than dopamine-chasing slot machines. Hero Emblems is different. It’s a proper game. The mechanics are tight; you aren't just matching shapes, you’re managing a party where every move matters for your survival. If you fail to clear a debuff or miss a heal because you were chasing a flashy combo, the game will punish you. It’s refreshing to see a mobile title that doesn't hold your hand with microtransactions.

However, it's not without its irritations. The narrative is as generic as they come—four heroes, one ancient evil, you know the drill. The difficulty spikes are also quite sharp, occasionally forcing a level of grinding that feels more like a chore than a challenge. The art style is charming in a retro sense, but it doesn't do anything to move the needle. It’s a solid, disciplined title for someone who wants depth on their phone, but it’s not the masterpiece some claim it to be. It’s a good use of time, provided you have the patience for its old-school sensibilities.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

  • Strategic depth in match-3 combat
  • Premium experience with no microtransactions
  • Challenging boss encounters
  • Generic 'save the world' plot
  • Aggressive difficulty spikes
  • Repetitive grinding required

Technical Report

Performance: Runs flawlessly on modern iOS devices; fast loading times and stable frame rates.

Accessibility:
  • Subtitles

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a tactical RPG where your choices actually matter and you hate 'pay-to-win' mechanics.

Skip if: You are looking for a casual puzzle game to play mindlessly while waiting for the bus.

Similar Games:
  • Puzzle Quest
  • 10000000
  • You Must Build A Boat

Reviewer Context

  • Reviewer: Dinsun, 40-year-old conservative expert gamer
  • Hardware: iPhone 15 Pro
  • Playtime: 18 hours
  • Status: Finished Main Story

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

Version 1.07Mon Apr 23 2018

This app has been updated by Apple to display the Apple Watch app icon.

Optimized for iPhone X.


Match Tiles, Beat' em Up, Adventure – Brand New Experience of Classical JRPG

"Hero Emblems is proof that there’s still room in the market for a great match-3 adventure" - TouchArcade.com (4.5/5 Stars)

"Hero Emblems is a challenging new match-three RPG that you won't be able to put down" - AppAdvice.com (4.5/5 Starts)

"The game is cute, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy." - PocketTactics.com (4/5 Stars)

"Hero Emblems is an old school game packaged for the new school, and it’s awesome" - GamesInAsia.com (8.5/10)

Hero Emblems is a JRPG that mixes “Side-Scrolling beat' em up” and “Match-3” features. Set in the middle-ages fantasy world of sword-fighting and wizardry, it is an adventure of 4 brave warriors who wield different emblem powers and their attempts to stop the re-awakening of the God of Evil.

==Game Features==

►Classical JRPG style adventures

Complete presentation the traditional JRPG world which let you enjoy the fun of the console JRPG experience.

► Unique turn-based battle to offer the beat' em up experience

Launch combo attacks, defense, healing and skills by matching rule.

►Big adventure world map

Bravely traverse into dungeons, wilderness, caves, and cross the ocean to visit the new continents in the fantasy world. In the journey, you will meet different personalities NPC, and visit a variety of village to purchase the new equipments and skills.

►A variety of monsters with different kinds of weakness attributes and attack debuffs

Different Monsters have its own strong/weakness. Some of them would attack with debuffs, such as poisoning, sealing, freezing, petrifying. You have to determine the strategy to attack the weakness of monsters with specific skills and remove the debuffs by matching rules.

►Story-driven quests. Seamless transitions between the battle scene and cutscene let you deeply immerse in the story. CAUTION! NO WARNING ALERT WHEN BOSS ARISES!

►Choose the cross roads of stages!? Choose the fate!? What will the ending be like?

►No IAP! No Ads!

==Background Story==

Three thousand years ago, the ancient God of Evil captured the Shayara Kingdom. In those desperate times, four heroes rose to defeat the God of Evil with all their might. The heroic tales of these 4 heroes have been passed down for generations.

Now, the ancient God of Evil is re-awakening...New generation of heroes, are you ready?


Requires iOS 8.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Match Tiles, Beat' em Up, Adventure – Brand New Experience of Classical JRPG

"Hero Emblems is proof that there’s still room in the market for a great match-3 adventure" - TouchArcade.com (4.5/5 Stars)

"Hero Emblems is a challenging new match-three RPG that you won't be able to put down" - AppAdvice.com (4.5/5 Starts)

"The game is cute, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy." - PocketTactics.com (4/5 Stars)

"Hero Emblems is an old school game packaged for the new school, and it’s awesome" - GamesInAsia.com (8.5/10)

Hero Emblems is a JRPG that mixes “Side-Scrolling beat' em up” and “Match-3” features. Set in the middle-ages fantasy world of sword-fighting and wizardry, it is an adventure of 4 brave warriors who wield different emblem powers and their attempts to stop the re-awakening of the God of Evil.

==Game Features==

►Classical JRPG style adventures

Complete presentation the traditional JRPG world which let you enjoy the fun of the console JRPG experience.

► Unique turn-based battle to offer the beat' em up experience

Launch combo attacks, defense, healing and skills by matching rule.

►Big adventure world map

Bravely traverse into dungeons, wilderness, caves, and cross the ocean to visit the new continents in the fantasy world. In the journey, you will meet different personalities NPC, and visit a variety of village to purchase the new equipments and skills.

►A variety of monsters with different kinds of weakness attributes and attack debuffs

Different Monsters have its own strong/weakness. Some of them would attack with debuffs, such as poisoning, sealing, freezing, petrifying. You have to determine the strategy to attack the weakness of monsters with specific skills and remove the debuffs by matching rules.

►Story-driven quests. Seamless transitions between the battle scene and cutscene let you deeply immerse in the story. CAUTION! NO WARNING ALERT WHEN BOSS ARISES!

►Choose the cross roads of stages!? Choose the fate!? What will the ending be like?

►No IAP! No Ads!

==Background Story==

Three thousand years ago, the ancient God of Evil captured the Shayara Kingdom. In those desperate times, four heroes rose to defeat the God of Evil with all their might. The heroic tales of these 4 heroes have been passed down for generations.

Now, the ancient God of Evil is re-awakening...New generation of heroes, are you ready?


Ratings & Reviews

4.5 out of 5 with 408 Counts
Age Rating 13+

Screenshots

Hero Emblems screenshot 1Hero Emblems screenshot 2Hero Emblems screenshot 3Hero Emblems screenshot 4Hero Emblems screenshot 5Hero Emblems screenshot 6Hero Emblems screenshot 7Hero Emblems screenshot 8Hero Emblems screenshot 9Hero Emblems screenshot 10

Hero Emblems is an award-winning RPG that replaces traditional turn-based menus with tactical match-3 gameplay. Lead the Night Chasers through a fantasy world, matching Emblems to attack, defend, and heal. Create 'Magic Emblems' by matching 4 or 5 tiles to trigger devastating combos. With a deep equipment system, elemental weaknesses, and epic boss fights, it offers a true RPG experience in a puzzle format.

Features

1

Pure Premium Experience (No IAPs)

2

Strategic Match-3 Combat

3

Charming JRPG Storyline

4

Deep Elemental System

5

Challenging Multi-Stage Bosses

Tips

Promotion Videos

Hero Emblems II - Release Trailer - YouTube

Related Videos

Recommended Links

TouchArcade Hero Emblems Review

A deep dive into why this game stands out in the crowded match-3 genre.

Review

News on this game

‘Hero Emblems II’ Review – There’s No Catch to this Match

Seven and a half years ago, the original Hero Emblems was released on the App Store. Just under six years ago, its sequel was formally...

TouchArcade - Mon Sep 11 2023

‘Hero Emblems II’ Major 2.0 Update Adds the Food Consumption System, New Hero Outfit Colors, and More

Developer HeatPot has released a surprise major update for Hero Emblems 2 that finally released on iOS last June.

TouchArcade - Tue Mar 11 2025

Hero Emblems Should Win Over JRPG Fans On iOS

Taiwanese indie studio HeatPot Games has released its turn-based, tile-matching JRPG Hero Emblems on iOS. You can purchase it on the App...

Siliconera - Mon Apr 11 2016

Gameplays

Q&A

Yes, Hero Emblems II is also available on the App Store with updated graphics and new heroes.

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