"Triple Match: A Fresh Take on Puzzles"

Reviewing games for a living might sound like a dream job, but it comes with its own set of challenges. Imagine trying to write while constantly battling the urge to play just one more round of an addictive game. What if your productivity hinges on waiting for those precious extra lives to recharge? It's a struggle that many game reviewers face, and Triple Match by Boombox Games is a prime example of such a game.

Triple Match isn't the first casual match-three game to lure players into endless play, but it's certainly a standout. Launched in April 2022, it has already amassed 20 million downloads across iOS and Android platforms, according to SensorTower. Its success has even spurred similar titles like Peak’s Match Factory, which hit the market 18 months later.

Let's dive into what makes Triple Match both familiar and innovative. Like many match-three games, it involves completing timed puzzle stages, utilizing power-ups and boosts to enhance your performance. As you progress, you earn coins that can be spent on boosts, extra attempts, and gifts for teammates. The game also features a subtle multiplayer aspect, allowing players to request lives and make donations.

As you advance through the campaign, you'll work towards various goals, from building a Kyoto Zen Oasis to competing in tournaments. While these elements are standard fare for casual match-three games, Triple Match innovates with its unique gameplay mechanics.

Instead of aligning objects in a grid, Triple Match presents a jumbled pile of items—pianos, notebooks, umbrellas, letters, clouds, cakes, and more. Your task is to clear the pile by tapping three identical items in succession. These items move to a bar at the bottom of the screen with seven slots. When three matching items appear in the bar, they disappear. However, filling the bar or running out of time results in a loss.

Initially, the game seems straightforward, but as you progress, the objects start to resemble each other more closely, making it challenging to differentiate between them. Is that a red and yellow rocket or a pair of binoculars? An apple or a tomato? The 3D presentation further complicates things, making a 7 look like an I or a dash. This setup forces quick decisions against the clock and the filling bar, transforming a simple tapping game into a test of nerves, accuracy, and visual acuity.

Various boosts and power-ups are scattered throughout the jumble, such as a lightning strike to clear three items, a clock for extra time, and other bonus items. Power-ups enable you to shuffle the play area, eject items from the bar, freeze the clock, or instantly match three items.

In essence, Triple Match can be described as "Mahjong meets Fruit Ninja." It's an addictive, vibrant, and innovative addition to the match-three genre that penalizes hasty decisions and rewards cooperation. 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, with more information available on the game's official site.

A Must For Puzzle Game Fans

For fans of casual free-to-play puzzlers on mobile, Triple Match is a highly recommended choice.

Graphics: 8
Gameplay: 8.3
Controls: 8