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Each totem has powers that will effect the matching grid when the same color is matched twice in a row. Power-ups come in the form of colorful, statue-like totems. Limitless replays are possible until the point goals are achieved.
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Double points can occur during a brief "score frenzy" periods. Being exceptionally quick with multiple matches gains bonus points. Points are gained by doing this as many times as possible before time runs out. Match tree or more alike tiles by swapping the position of one horizontally or vertically (click or drag). The screen includes the one-minute clock dial and numeric countdown, buttons for shuffle (twice per board only) and match hints, an area for enabled power-ups plus a special multiplier tube which records the number of gem-enhanced tokens accumulated during the stage for bonus points. The main play area is an 8x8 grid of squares that remains constant in size and shape. Beginning with the third treasure chest, an additional star can be obtained by replaying already solved chest levels and reaching the highest number of points listed. When the chest opens, the player is awarded a magic star, which can be used in the shop area to enable and enhance power-ups.
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To open the chest and extract the treasure within, reach or exceed the designated number of points for each stage and obtain its medal. There are eight gold chests in each vault with point values in predetermined amounts representing stages. Time to complete each level has been reduced to one minute versus three or four minutes. Unlike previous games in the series, the main objective is to open golden treasure chests hidden behind the five padlocked doors and extract the riches within, rather than simply to collect all the gems.
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Players are dropped immediately into a corridor leading to the Montezuma Palace treasury without any background story. The Treasures of Montezuma 3 is a single-player, one-minute-madness, match 3 tile matching game with an Aztec theme.
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