1. Introduction of the game
Empires & Puzzles is an innovative blend of match-3 puzzle gameplay, base-building, and strategic hero collection, captivating the hearts of fantasy and strategy lovers alike. Developed and published by Small Giant Games, this mobile game combines the thrill of turn-based combat with the satisfaction of constructing a powerful stronghold while pitting your wits against both AI and human opponents.

2. All characters and levels of the game
The game boasts a vast array of characters, each belonging to various factions like knights, monsters, and legendary creatures. The heroes are categorized into common, uncommon, rare, epic, and legendary tiers, each with unique abilities and potential for ascension to unlock greater powers. Levels in Empires & Puzzles are spread across different provinces, and within these, players face a series of stages that increase in difficulty, culminating in formidable boss fights.

3. What attracts users most to the game
Players are often attracted to Empires & Puzzles because of its deep strategic layers. The game offers a complex rock-paper-scissors elemental system where heroes have affinities that are strong or weak against others, pushing players to think critically about team composition. The community features, such as alliances and raid battles, also provide a social dynamic that encourages engagement and teamwork.

4. Why it is popular
Empires & Puzzles has gained popularity due to its successful marriage of genres, appealing to fans of puzzles, RPGs, and strategy games alike. Its easy-to-learn, hard-to-master gameplay is inviting for newcomers but offers enough depth to keep veteran gamers challenged. The regular updates, events, and new heroes keep the content fresh and the player base active.

5. When the game was released and how many versions are currently available
The game was officially released in March 2017 and has gone through numerous updates since then. Although there aren't separate "versions" in the traditional sense, the game has continuously evolved with regular updates that have added features, heroes, and seasonal events, ensuring that the game remains current and full of new content.

6. The most difficult part of the game
One of the most challenging aspects of Empires & Puzzles is the late-game content, particularly the high-level titans and war battles against well-organized alliances. These require a deep roster of fully leveled and ascended heroes, as well as strategic use of resources and battle items. Additionally, the random nature of obtaining new heroes can be a significant challenge for players looking to obtain specific characters for their rosters.

7. Strengths and weaknesses of the game
Empires & Puzzles' strengths lie in its engaging gameplay that combines multiple game genres, its rich graphics, and a strong community aspect. However, the game is not without criticism; its gacha-style mechanics for acquiring heroes can lead to a pay-to-win perception, and the luck-based nature of leveling up heroes (using the training camps or summons) can be a source of frustration for some players.

8. What other games have been developed by the same developer
Small Giant Games, the developer behind Empires & Puzzles, has also created a few other titles, albeit none as famous as Empires & Puzzles. These include Oddwings Escape, a physics-based flying game, and Rope Racers, a multiplayer racing game. After the success of Empires & Puzzles, Zynga acquired Small Giant Games, which has contributed to the release and maintenance of the game, as well as the development of potential new titles.