Reviewing games for a living might sound like a dream job, but it's not without its hidden challenges. Imagine trying to write while constantly battling the urge to dive back into the game you're reviewing. What if you can only focus when you're waiting for the game to refill your lives? It's a real struggle.
Triple Match, a casual match-three mobile game developed by Boombox Games, exemplifies this issue. Known for their sleek casual puzzlers, Boombox Games has created a game that feels both familiar and refreshingly new. While the core free-to-play mechanics are well-trodden, Triple Match introduces a unique twist that sets it apart.
Invented a Sub-genre
Triple Match could be seen as pioneering a new sub-genre, having amassed an impressive 20 million downloads across iOS and Android since its April 2022 launch, according to SensorTower. Its influence is evident in subsequent games like Peak's Match Factory, which debuted 18 months later.
The game's basics are familiar: you tackle puzzle stages against the clock, using power-ups and boosts to enhance your performance. Completing stages earns you coins, which you can spend on more boosts, power-ups, extra attempts, or gifts for teammates. Triple Match features a subtle multiplayer element that allows you to request lives and make donations.
As you advance through the campaign, you can work towards various objectives, from building your Kyoto Zen Oasis to constructing an entire village, unlocking new features, and competing in tournaments.
How Do I Play?
Unlike traditional match-three games where you slide objects in a grid, Triple Match presents a chaotic pile of items—pianos, notebooks, umbrellas, letters, clouds, cakes, and more. Your task is to clear these by tapping three identical objects in succession. The items move to a bar at the bottom of the screen with seven slots. When three matching items appear in the bar, they disappear. Fill the bar or run out of time, and you lose.
Initially, it's simple: just tap on similar-looking items. However, as you progress, the objects start to resemble each other more closely, making it challenging to differentiate between, say, a red and yellow rocket and a pair of binoculars, or an apple and a tomato. The 3D jumble adds another layer of difficulty, as shapes can easily be mistaken for one another.
This setup forces you to make quick decisions under pressure, turning what starts as a straightforward task into a test of nerves, precision, and visual acuity. Scattered among the items are various boosts like lightning strikes to clear three items, clocks to add time, and other bonus items. Power-ups let you shuffle the board, eject items from your bar, freeze time, or instantly match three items.
In Conclusion…
Triple Match can be succinctly described as "Mahjong meets Fruit Ninja." It's an addictive, vibrant, and innovative addition to the match-three genre that penalizes hasty moves, poor eyesight, and clumsy fingers, yet rewards teamwork. Themed events, such as those for 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, with more information available on the game's official site.
A Must For Puzzle Game Fans
If you enjoy casual free-to-play puzzlers on mobile, Triple Match is highly recommended.
Overall Rating: 8.1
Graphics: 8
Gameplay: 8.3
Controls: 8
