The S.H.I.E.L.D Simulator allows you to fight other user's teams for a small amount of Iso-8 and a reward as you increase in rank. There is also a story that introduces various heroes and villains in the game and provides a couple of common characters. The prologue teaches how to play the game.
There are also environment tiles which can activate special powers but deal very little match damage. The critical gem can behave as a wildcard when making a match and will multiply the damage greatly. Matching five will wipe out the row or column and generate a critical gem. Matching four of the same color will wipe out the row or column. Matching three of the same color will deal damage to the other team's character based on the highest color damage multiplier on your team. You are able to bring three characters into a match. At first, it will take 100c to purchase a roster spot, but it will eventually escalate to 400c or more. You are given a few roster spots at the start but they will quickly fill up as you play the story mode. All currency won should go into purchasing one of two things-roster or alliance spots. The currency can be won in events or as rewards during the story portion of the game. There are micro-transactions, but you do not have to buy anything to be good at the game. Marvel Puzzle Quest is a free-to-play game. Marvel Puzzle Quest: Dark Reign Game Guide
