Triazzle 3.0 by Dreamship Inc. for the iPhone is definitely a unique game: based off of the original Triazzle, a graphical matching puzzle in cardboard brain-teaser form. I played with Triazzle 3.0 for a couple of hours and I was impressed: a challenging puzzle game that was unlike the rest that used fantastic graphics and a beautiful soundtrack to accompany your gameplay. Let’s go a little more in-depth.

The Game

Triazzle 3.0 has several levels of difficulty for you to choose from: Kids, Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. There is also a “Surprise Me!” option for those who wish to take on a random difficulty. In addition, you are able to choose from playing with a grid of 9 triangles or 16 triangles, obviously the latter being the more difficult one.

Upon starting the game up for the first time, I accidentally nudged the Kids level, which doesn’t ask for confirmation as it jumps straight into the game. Unfortunately for me, I had not read the instructions, but I figured out the controls and objectives quickly: tap the piece to rotate, tap and drag to move it to the appropriate place, and just attempt to make everything fit into the board. After taking 20 minutes to solve the Kids level puzzle, I thought I could definitely do better than that, so I played it again at the Kids level. A grueling 30 minutes later, I was able to claim victory on that particular puzzle, but it had long claimed victory on my dignity.

Jokes aside, the learning curve for Triazzle isn’t that steep. You are given 9 or 16 triangles, and you’re supposed to make them fit, sounds easy enough! After a couple of play-throughs, working my way up the difficulties, I am proud to say I can do Level 2 with 16 triangles without too much trouble!

Clearly, Triazzle 3.0 is a very easy game to pick up and play whenever, but it is challenging enough to keep you coming back for more. The “pick up and play” ideology is further helped by the great feature of being able to pick up where you left off, a save state if you will. I thought this was a fantastic feature, so if you are interrupted by a phone call or text message, your game will be right where you left it off. One complaint though: I found that my pieces would be exactly where I left them off, but not in the correct orientation. A little issue, but an issue nonetheless.

Triazzle 3.0 has a huge potential for replayability. Each game is quick and easy, and every single game is a different experience while maintaining that same feeling of challenge and difficulty that you initially receive when starting to play the game.

Graphics

Triazzle uses various insects and amphibians as the puzzle pieces, and they are very well drawn. The real surprise was that when you match pieces together correctly, the little creature would come alive and become animated and start fluttering its wings or kicking its legs. I thought that was a nice little touch! In addition, there are a huge variety of background images that are used in the game, and it definitely added to the experience.

Despite the background images being gorgeous, some people may not appreciate their beauty while playing the game. That is why Triazzle came with a very welcome option to have “Simple Backgrounds” – simple, solid coloured backgrounds that let you see everything much easier.

Sound

Triazzle 3.0 has a beautiful soundtrack that is rare to find in an iPhone game. It has an original musical score composed by TV and film composer Billy White Acre, and he did a fantastic job. There isn’t too much to say here, I felt the sound track and sound effects fit the game perfectly and really let the jungle-theme shine through.

Additional Comments

Triazzle 3.0 is fantastic for casual gamers as there is no timer or limit on the number of moves available, but the option to add them in would be a nice touch for the more competitive gamers amongst us. Casual gamers would appreciate the great “Help” section to allow them to learn the game much faster, which was a great touch for newbies such as myself!

Also, Triazzle seems rather resource intensive because I had noticed a couple of slow downs during gameplay, but that might have just been isolated incidents. I only bring this up because I played on my iPhone 3GS, which is a speed demon! Please comment or email me if you run into any issues with slowdowns.

I thought that the Hint system was very clever, because it would show you what block goes into that particular place, but not how the block should be oriented to be correct. Not to mention, there is the “shake to solve” option where you can shake the iPhone and it will ask you if you wish to see the “Triazzle Gods” solve the puzzle, where the pieces become sentient and take over the world. Alright not really, but the animated puzzle solver was very cool to witness!

Conclusion

Triazzle 3.0 for the iPhone is one very challenging, but unique, graphical matching puzzle. The gameplay, graphics, and sound are all top notch, what is not to like?

Score

MustTap Score: Silver Tap

Looks great and gives out some quality stuff!

Bottom Line
Very fun and challenging graphic matching puzzle game, great for casual gamers and has great potential for replayability.

Screenshots