Beginner’s Guide to Gardenscapes: New Acres

**Chapter 1: Game Summary**
*Gardenscapes: New Acres* is a free-to-play match-3 puzzle and garden simulation game. Players restore a garden estate by completing match-3 levels to earn stars, used for tasks like planting roses. The game loop involves clearing levels, upgrading the garden, and joining events like Wild Prairie Expedition for Coins and Boosters.

**Chapter 2: My First 5 Hours**
In your first 5 hours of *Gardenscapes: New Acres*, you’ll begin restoring a neglected garden with butler Austin. The tutorial introduces match-3 mechanics, guiding you through levels 1–10 to earn stars for tasks like fixing a bench. You’ll complete garden tasks, filling the day’s progress bar to 100% to unlock Day 2. Use boosters like the Shovel to clear tricky levels (e.g., level 8). Join the Wild Prairie Expedition event (starts Apr. 23, 2025) to earn Coins and meet a playful otter pet. Spend time interacting with Austin to unlock dialogue and garden lore. Experiment with combos, like matching four candies for a Firecracker, to boost scores. You can’t replay past levels, so focus on the current stage. Key experiences include completing your first garden day and earning a Rainbow Blast booster, setting the stage for tougher puzzles and a thriving estate.

**Chapter 3: Things People Wish They Knew at the Beginning**
1. **Save Stars for Hard Tasks**: Don’t spend stars on cosmetic tasks early; prioritize progress tasks for faster day unlocks. 2. **Batch Tasks in Events**: Complete tasks in sequence during double-star events for 10% more stars, speeding upgrades. 3. **Use Booster Combos**: Pair boosters in Expedition levels for 15% better clear odds, saving lives. 4. **Interact with Pets Daily**: Pet interactions during events yield extra coins, boosting resources. 5. **Wait on New Days**: Start new garden days when low on lives to maximize daily rewards.