Reviewing games for a living might sound like a dream job, but it's not without its hidden challenges. Imagine trying to write when you're constantly distracted by the allure of the game itself. What if your productivity hinges on waiting for in-game timers to refresh your lives? It's a real struggle.
Take Triple Match, a prime example of a casual match-three mobile game that can throw you into this loop. Developed by Boombox Games, known for their slick casual puzzle offerings, Triple Match strikes a chord between the familiar and the innovative. While the core free-to-play mechanics are nothing new, the gameplay itself offers a fresh twist that sets it apart from the crowd.
Invented a Sub-genre
Triple Match could be hailed as the pioneer of a new sub-genre within the match-three category. Since its launch in April 2022, it has amassed an impressive 20 million downloads on both iOS and Android, according to SensorTower. Its influence is evident, as it has inspired similar titles like Peak's Match Factory, which debuted 18 months later.
Let's dive into the familiar aspects first. In Triple Match, you're racing against the clock to complete puzzle stages, using power-ups and boosts to tip the scales in your favor. As you progress, you earn coins that can be spent on additional boosts, power-ups, extra attempts, and even gifts for your teammates. The game features a subtle multiplayer element that allows you to request lives and make donations.
As you advance through the campaign, you'll chase various goals, from building a serene Kyoto Zen Oasis to constructing a whole village, unlocking new features, and competing in tournaments. So far, it's the quintessential casual match-three experience.
How Do I Play?
Unlike traditional match-three games where you align objects in a grid, Triple Match presents a chaotic heap of items—pianos, notebooks, umbrellas, letters, clouds, cakes, and more. Your task is to clear these by tapping three identical items in succession.
The screen is filled with this jumble, and a bar at the bottom holds seven spaces. When you tap an item, it moves to this bar, and when three identical items appear in the bar, they disappear. Fill the bar completely or run out of time, and you lose.
Initially, the game seems simple—tap on similar items. But as you ascend through the levels, the items start to look eerily similar. Is that a red and yellow rocket or a pair of binoculars? An apple or a tomato? With everything presented in a 3D jumble, distinguishing between a 7 and an I, or other shapes, becomes a challenge.
This forces you to make quick decisions based on limited information, all while racing against time and the filling bar. What starts as a straightforward tapping exercise evolves into a nerve-wracking test of accuracy and eyesight.
Scattered among the chaos are various boosts to aid you, such as a lightning strike to clear three items, a clock to extend your time, and other bonus items. Power-ups let you shuffle the playing area, eject items from your bar, freeze the clock, and instantly match three items.
In Conclusion…
Triple Match can be succinctly described as "Mahjong meets Fruit Ninja." It's an addictive, colorful, and innovative addition to the match-three genre that penalizes hasty moves, blurry vision, and clumsy fingers but rewards teamwork.
Themed events, like those for Earth Week or Saving the Reindeer during Christmas, keep the game feeling fresh throughout the year.
You can find Triple Match on Google Play and the App Store, and more information is available on the game's official site.
A Must For Puzzle Game Fans
If you're a fan of casual free-to-play puzzlers on mobile, Triple Match comes highly recommended.
Overall Rating: 8.1
Graphics: 8
Gameplay: 8.3
Controls: 8
