"Triple Match: A Fresh Take on Puzzles - Review"

Reviewing games for a living can seem like a dream job, but it comes with its own set of hidden challenges. Imagine being so captivated by a game that your writing process is constantly interrupted by the urge to play more. Or finding yourself only able to work while waiting for the game timer to refresh your lives. It's a real struggle.

Triple Match, a casual match-three mobile game developed by Boombox Games, is a prime example of this dilemma. While it's not the first game to put reviewers in this position, it certainly stands out. Boombox Games, known for their polished casual puzzlers, have created a game that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. Although the core free-to-play loop is something you've seen countless times, Triple Match brings a unique twist to the genre.

Invented a Sub-genre

Triple Match could be considered the pioneer of a new sub-genre, boasting an impressive 20 million downloads across iOS and Android since its April 2022 launch, according to SensorTower. Its influence is evident with similar titles like Peak's Match Factory, which followed 18 months later.

Let’s delve into the familiar aspects first. In Triple Match, you tackle puzzle stages against the clock, using power-ups and boosts to enhance your performance when needed. Completing these stages earns you coins, which you can spend on more boosts, power-ups, additional attempts, and even gifts for your teammates. The game includes a subtle multiplayer feature that allows you to request lives and make donations.

As you advance through the campaign, you'll work towards various objectives such as building your Kyoto Zen Oasis, creating a village, unlocking features, and competing in tournaments. This is standard fare for casual match-three games. However, Triple Match distinguishes itself with its innovative gameplay mechanics.

How Do I Play?

Unlike traditional match-three games where you align objects in a grid, Triple Match scatters its matchable items in a chaotic pile. Your task is to clear them by tapping three identical objects in succession. The screen is filled with diverse items like pianos, notebooks, umbrellas, letters, clouds, and cakes. At the bottom of the screen, there's a bar with seven slots.

When you tap an item, it moves to this bar, and when three identical items align in the bar, they disappear. If you fill the bar or run out of time, you lose. Initially, this seems easy enough; you just need to tap on similar items. However, as you progress, the items start to look deceptively similar, making the game more challenging.

Is that a red and yellow rocket or a pair of binoculars? An apple or a tomato? The 3D jumble can make a '7' look like an 'I' or a dash, adding to the confusion. This forces you to make quick decisions under pressure, turning what starts as a simple task into a test of your nerves, accuracy, and visual acuity.

Scattered within the chaos are various boosts to aid you, such as a lightning strike to clear three items, a clock to add more time, and other bonus items. Power-ups allow you to shuffle the board, remove items from your bar, freeze time, or instantly match three items.

In Conclusion…

The best way to describe Triple Match is as a blend of Mahjong and Fruit Ninja. It's an addictive, colorful, and innovative take on the match-three genre that penalizes hasty decisions, poor eyesight, and clumsy fingers but rewards teamwork. Themed events like Earth Week or Saving the Reindeer during Christmas keep the game engaging throughout the year.

You can find Triple Match on Google Play and the App Store, and visit the game’s official site [ttpp] for more information.

A Must For Puzzle Game Fans

If you enjoy casual free-to-play puzzlers on your mobile device, Triple Match is a highly recommended addition to your gaming library.

8.1 Graphics: 8 Gameplay: 8.3 Controls: 8