Reviewing games for a living might sound like a dream job, but it's not without its hidden challenges. Imagine being so hooked on a game that you can't focus on writing because you're constantly tempted to play just one more round. Or, finding yourself only able to work productively while waiting for the game to replenish your lives. It's a real struggle.
Take Triple Match, for example. It's not the first casual match-three mobile game to put reviewers in this tricky spot, and it certainly won't be the last. Developed by Boombox Games, known for their sleek casual puzzle offerings, Triple Match is both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly new. While the core free-to-play loop might feel like a well-trodden path, the gameplay itself is uniquely engaging.
Invented a Sub-genre
Triple Match could even be hailed as the pioneer of a new sub-genre, having garnered an impressive 20 million downloads across iOS and Android since its launch in April 2022, according to SensorTower. Its success has even spurred similar games like Peak's Match Factory, which followed 18 months later.
The game's mechanics might start off feeling familiar. You're racing against the clock to complete puzzle stages, using boosts and power-ups to enhance your chances when the going gets tough. You earn coins by completing levels, which you can then spend on more boosts, power-ups, additional attempts, and even gifts for your teammates. Triple Match also features a subtle multiplayer aspect that allows you to request lives and make donations.
As you advance through the campaign, you can work towards various objectives, like building a Kyoto Zen Oasis, creating a village, unlocking new features, and participating in tournaments. This is all standard fare for a casual match-three puzzler, but Triple Match distinguishes itself with its innovative gameplay mechanics.
How Do I Play?
Unlike traditional match-three games where you slide objects into alignment, Triple Match throws a heap of items onto the screen and challenges you to clear them by tapping three identical objects in a row. The screen is filled with an assortment of items—pianos, notebooks, umbrellas, letters, clouds, cakes, and more. At the bottom, there's a bar with seven slots.
Each tap moves an item to the bar, and when three matching items appear, they disappear. If the bar fills up completely or you run out of time, it's game over. Initially, this seems easy enough—you just need to tap on similar-looking items. But as you progress, the items start to resemble each other a bit too closely for comfort.
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 even other shapes entirely. This forces you to make quick decisions based on limited information, testing your nerves, accuracy, and eyesight against both the clock and the filling bar. What starts as a simple game quickly turns into a challenging test.
Scattered throughout the jumble are various boosts to aid you, like 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 the timer, or instantly match three items.
In Conclusion…
The best way to sum up Triple Match might be "Mahjong meets Fruit Ninja". It's an addictive, colorful, and innovative addition to the match-three genre that penalizes hasty moves, poor vision, and clumsy fingers, yet rewards teamwork.
Themed events throughout the year, such as Earth Week or Saving the Reindeer at Christmas, keep the game feeling fresh. Triple Match is available on Google Play and the App Store, and you can visit the game's official site [ttpp] for more information.
A Must For Puzzle Game Fans
If you're a fan of casual free-to-play puzzlers on mobile, Triple Match is an easy recommendation.
Overall: 8.1
Graphics: 8
Gameplay: 8.3
Controls: 8
