"Triple Match: A Fresh Take on Puzzle Games"

Reviewing games for a living might sound like a dream job, but it's not without its challenges. Imagine being so hooked on a game that you can't focus on writing because you're constantly itching to play more. Or struggling to work effectively because you're waiting for the timer to replenish your lives. It's a real struggle.

Triple Match, developed by Boombox Games, is a prime example of this issue. While it's not the first casual match-three mobile game to cause such distractions, it's certainly a notable one. 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

In fact, Triple Match could be considered the pioneer of a new sub-genre. Since its launch in April 2022, it has amassed an impressive 20 million downloads across iOS and Android, according to SensorTower. Its influence is evident in subsequent titles like Peak’s Match Factory, which was released 18 months later.

Let's start with what feels familiar. In Triple Match, you tackle puzzle stages against the clock, utilizing power-ups and boosts to enhance your chances when the going gets tough. Completing stages earns you coins, which you can spend on boosts, power-ups, extra attempts, and even gifts for your teammates. The game features a subtle multiplayer aspect, allowing you to request lives and make donations.

As you advance through the campaign, you'll work towards various goals, such as constructing your Kyoto Zen Oasis, building an entire village, unlocking features, and competing in tournaments. This is where Triple Match starts to feel like a typical match-three puzzler. However, the real innovation lies in its gameplay mechanics.

How Do I Play?

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

When you tap an object, it moves to this bar. If three identical objects appear in the bar, they disappear. However, if you fill the bar completely or run out of time, you lose. Initially, this seems straightforward—you just need to tap on similar-looking items. But as you progress, the objects start to look deceptively similar.

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, or any number of other shapes. This forces you to make quick decisions based on limited information, challenging your nerves, accuracy, and eyesight.

Scattered among the chaos are various boosts, 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 playing area, eject items from your bar, freeze the clock, and instantly match three items.

In Conclusion…

The best way to describe Triple Match is "Mahjong meets Fruit Ninja." It's an addictive, colorful, and innovative addition to the match-three genre that penalizes hasty play, 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 feeling fresh throughout the year.

Triple Match is available on Google Play and the App Store, with more information on the game's official site [ttpp].

A Must For Puzzle Game Fans

If you enjoy casual free-to-play puzzlers on mobile, Triple Match is an easy recommendation.

Overall Rating: 8.1
Graphics: 8
Gameplay: 8.3
Controls: 8