Have never played a game in this style so uh, yeah, haha. Sorry if I mix up any of the terminology. Also, I have unlocked everything, but definitely favor some stages over others.
If I had to pick a least favorite stage, it'd be the match 8 one (Khloe), followed by Suika stages, although this is more related to how the specials seem to work on Suika mode.
In the max 8 stage, by the time I am near the final level for the final unlock, I feel like the board is so convoluted I don't know what to use the special on, haha. I am not sure how the RNG works for what the next drop will be but it's also definitely an issue of me just not knowing how to properly place things, but it definitely feels like a step up from the rest of the game. Given how it needs double the items for a match, it feels like it can quickly pile up as soon as you get a level up. It's at this time I wish I had the wrecking ball instead, as that special feels like you can use it incorrectly and still benefit greatly from it. I'd often accidentally mess up my own chains after a few levels due to how much space you need with double the requirement, and adding a new item every level.
In the case of Suika, it kinda feels like you get punished by using specials, as half the time I want to blast some orbs away, like in Sencha's stage, If I want to clear the board, aiming for the bigger orbs makes more space, but you lose out big time on the Level Bar, since the huge bonus comes from said big orbs. I guess this is part of the strategy to try to aim for just combing one big one, but I guess it feels a bit weird given that other specials in other mode allow you to reach the lower section that gives big bonus points quicker, whereas on Suika you have to be careful 'cuz it can end up hurting more.
But yeah, it feels like:
Match 4 are the easiest, given that specials work on your favor towards the reaching the clear at the bottom to get a chunk of bonus. I felt like even the newer match 4s are still easier than the rest of the game.
Suika (Combine) definitely feels harder with how the very same thing that gives you a chunk of points is also constantly getting in your way and you have may have to give up on them to make space with a special, feeling a bit disheartening.
Match 8 feels definitely the hardest, as by the time I could really use my special to clear I have to stop and scan the board and pick what I think might be right to lower the board and just not fill up.
That said, again, I was able to unlock everything, so I am good on that regard, just giving feedback how each stage felt to me.