Game machine, image processing method for use with the game machine, and recording medium

A game machine, an image processing method for use therewith, and a recording medium, which impart a tense atmosphere to a conventional linked puzzle game and dynamic changes in the screen of the game. A character which can be moved by a player is set within a screen. In a case where the character is smashed between a dropping block and a block surrounding the character, the game is terminated, thereby providing a sense of tension to the player. Further, a game screen is scrolled to the direction of which the character moves in association with movement of the character, thereby posing a dynamic change in the screen. In a case where the block that has dropped passes by a position adjacent another block of the same type, the blocks are integrated into a single block, thereby preventing further dropping of the block that has dropped. Thus, the dropping block can be stopped immediately above the character, thereby enhancing the sense of tension of the game to a much greater extent.