Tutorial — Systems & Mechanics
Difficulty Modes ExplainedClean all the leaves!
The full breakdown of EASY vs MEDIUM: the two modes, their time limits (90 vs 45 minutes), what actually changes, and the honest answer on whether the harder mode is worth it.
This page answers the questions players actually have about difficulty: how many difficulty modes exist, what each one changes, whether a harder mode pays more, and whether it is worth playing. Everything here is measured from gameplay footage — including the difficulty-select screen itself.
The Short Answer
- There are two difficulty modes: EASY and MEDIUM. There is no Hard mode.
- EASY gives you 90 minutes. MEDIUM gives you 45 minutes.
- A harder mode does not pay more. Both difficulties show the same reward multiplier — 1x GEMS EARNED — on the difficulty-select screen, and the higher difficulty does not boost the gems or cash you earn for clearing a round.
- The only difference between the two is the time limit. Leaf count, waves and all other mechanics stay the same.
So: if you are playing for rewards or steady progress, EASY is the sensible pick. MEDIUM is a challenge/speedrun option for players who want the same reward under half the time — it is not an income upgrade.
The Difficulty-Select Screen (Video-Verified)
The difficulty is chosen on the start / main-menu screen. The selector has two options switched with left/right arrows, labelled:
| Mode | Time limit | Gem reward multiplier | Leaf count & waves |
|---|---|---|---|
| EASY | 90 minutes | 1x | Same |
| MEDIUM | 45 minutes | 1x | Same |
No Normal and no Hard option appears anywhere in the footage. One playthrough video titled itself "(easy version)" on the creator's own initiative — that is a label for a relaxed run, not an in-game difficulty menu entry.
What Each Mode Changes
The only change is the countdown. Switch from EASY to MEDIUM and the timer drops from 90 to 45 minutes. Everything else — total leaves, wave behavior, sale points, tools, upgrades, classes — is identical.
There is one nuance worth knowing: because MEDIUM halves the clock, it changes how you route even though it changes no numbers. A MEDIUM run has no room to wander, so you clear in a strict order and skip optional detours. That is why footage of MEDIUM runs shows more deliberate route-planning talk, not more leaves.
Does Harder Pay More? (No)
The difficulty-select screen shows the gem reward multiplier for both modes as 1x GEMS EARNED, and selecting the higher difficulty does not raise it. A full-cleared MEDIUM round pays the same base reward as a full-cleared EASY round.
For scale, one MEDIUM clear in footage settled at 15 Gems on the results screen — treat that as a single observed example, not a guaranteed payout (prices and rewards shift with updates).
What this means for your wallet: you cannot farm more by playing harder. Gems come from clearing rounds, milestones and objectives at the same rate regardless of mode.
Should You Play MEDIUM?
The honest trade-off:
Choose EASY (90 min) if you want to:
- Farm Cash and Gems steadily without pressure.
- Learn the map, tools and routes.
- Push toward the 100% / secret-ending completion — a long, methodical session fits the 90-minute clock.
- Play with friends casually (12-player lobbies run smoother when nobody is racing the clock).
Choose MEDIUM (45 min) if you want to:
- Challenge yourself — the same job in half the time.
- Speedrun / set faster clear times.
- Play a tighter, more focused session (45 minutes is a natural game-night length).
The verdict: on a rewards-per-minute basis MEDIUM is not better — same reward, half the time. It is a difficulty mode in the "pressure" sense, not the "bigger loot" sense. Play it for the challenge or the shorter session, not for more gems.
Clearing Faster on EASY (Route That Works)
Footage of a fast EASY run shows the route that stacks income early and saves the big areas for when your tools are ready:
- Open with a coin class — start with a class that gives an initial cash multiplier (e.g. Cash Treasure) to boost every early sale.
- First purchase: upgrade the hand. Sell your first ~100 leaves and buy Grasp (the hand upgrade), then push Grasp 3 times before buying other tools.
- Clear the small areas first. On the mansion map: Porch, Left Alley and Right Alley — small clearings stack your coin multiplier early. Leave the main front area for later.
- Buy the Leaf Blower when cash allows, and upgrade its Width and Power.
- Unlock the vents — they are the shortcuts that keep a 90-minute run inside the clock.
- In the pool area, blow the leaves straight into the pool. The video route treats the pool as a dump target — leaves blown in clear without extra bag trips.
- After the pool, buy the Leaf Mower, and max out Bag Capacity (footage shows ~2,075 capacity) to cut trips to the bin.
- Finish the remaining sections, then the maze last — follow the paths to the exit hatch.
The same principles (small-first, upgrade the hand, bag before blower) apply on the house map.
FAQ
How many difficulty modes are there?
Two — EASY and MEDIUM. There is no Hard mode (verified across multiple playthrough videos, including the difficulty-select screen).
What are the time limits?
EASY: 90 minutes. MEDIUM: 45 minutes. Picked on the start / main-menu screen with left/right arrows.
Does a harder mode give more rewards?
No. Both modes show the same 1x GEMS EARNED multiplier, and MEDIUM does not increase the gems or cash from clearing a round.
What else changes at higher difficulty?
Nothing except the time limit. Leaf count, waves, tools and mechanics are identical between EASY and MEDIUM.
Is MEDIUM worth playing?
For rewards, no — same payout, half the time. For a challenge or a shorter focused session, yes. Pick EASY to farm or complete, MEDIUM to test yourself.
Can I farm more gems on a harder mode?
No — reward rates are mode-independent. Gems come from clearing rounds, milestones and objectives at the same rate on both difficulties.