Exclusive Triazzle Review

Triazzle doesn’t arrive in the App Store until 7/17, but we managed to get our hands on an early copy for an exclusive review.

Let’s just say if you’re a fan of puzzle games you’re going to want to read this review.

Triazzle is a classic cardboard puzzle from the 90′s, so I’ll admit I was a bit skeptical when I saw that its inventors brought it to the iPhone.  But when I booted up the game, all previous thoughts faded away.  There is only one word that can be used to describe Triazzle for the iPhone, a word that I don’t throw around lightly when it comes to App Store games: flawless.

In Triazzle, you are presented with a triangular board made up of 9 or 16 smaller triangular spots.  The board starts out with halves of animals, such as fireflies or turtles, all along the edges.  You are given the corresponding number of triangular pieces, each with halves of animals along their three sides.  Your task is to fill the board so that you have all complete animals.  The game is a bit difficult to describe, but watching a video will make you understand instantly.

One thing I really appreciate is the lack of a timer or any type of pressure.  This creates a relaxing “zen” environment, and definitely alleviates some frustration.  Since so much of the game is trial and error, the lack of a timer means that you can calmly try several pieces out rather than rush and hastily throw pieces all over the screen.

Triazzle contains four difficulty levels, the first of which is designated for kids, though adults may want to use it as an ego booster, because Triazzle is very difficult.  This is a game where you may be able to fit several pieces into slots – but that doesn’t mean they’re in the right place.  You will often find yourself with only two pieces left, needing to start over because they won’t fit.  Admittedly, the game may not be for everyone as it can be frustrating, but for those who stick with it, the results are rewarding: I was incredibly proud of myself when I finished a 16-piece puzzle on the highest difficulty without hints (see screenshots for proof).

Triazzle contains 50 backgrounds, but virtually unlimited puzzles, and you’ll constantly be coming back for more.  One often-overlooked feature that the developers have implemented is in-game auto-save, so that if you get frustrated with a puzzle and quit out of the app, the next time you run the game, you’ll be able to resume the puzzle you were working on with no progress lost.

The controls and interface are perfect and simple.  On 9 piece boards, pieces start out around the board in a rough circle, and with 16-piece boards, the pieces are displayed in docks that appear on the left and right sides of the screen.  You can drag the pieces off the docks at any time, and you can toggle the docks on or off by double tapping the screen.  To move a piece, simply touch and drag, and to rotate, simply tap on the piece.  Pieces can be moved to any place on screen.

The game also features two great help systems.  First, hints.  You are given a limited hints for a board, and you can use one to tell you which piece in which rotation goes in the spot of your choosing.  Then, if you’re truly stumped on a puzzle, you can shake your device to have the game solve it for you.  The game doesn’t simply show you a picture of the completed puzzle, though, it shows you step by step how to place and rotate pieces one-by-one to complete puzzles.

The graphics in Triazzle are absolutely gorgeous and extremely polished.  The backgrounds are fantastic, and in a unique twist, correctly matched animals will “come to life” and be animated.  In addition, frogs will sometimes jump across the board.  All of these animations are extremely fluid and create a great ambience.

Adding to the ambience is the audio.  The music is relaxing and extremely well-done, and adds to the “zen” atmosphere.  Ambience sounds are brilliant, of course, and sound effects are top-notch.

If you enjoy puzzles, you must purchase Triazzle.  It’s a challenging and extremely polished game that will keep you coming back for more, and it raises the bar for App Store puzzlers.

The Good

Challenging gameplay
Virtually unlimited puzzles
Perfect controls and interface
Extremely polished graphics, animations, and audio

The Bad

Not for those who get easily frustrated

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Tags: dan gilbert, matching, Puzzle, triazzle

Category: Editors Choice Awards, Games