Review: Triazzle
by Staff Writer
July 21, 2009
Overview
In Triazzle you’re given a certain number of triangular pieces that need to be composed in a larger triangle (triazzle game board). Each of the pieces has something that needs to be matched on all three sides. There is one solution to every puzzle where every side of the each piece matches with each other and the outside of the board.
Each Triazzle puzzle is different and every piece fits in only one place even though it may match, it's not necessarily in the right spot to solve the puzzle. The pieces have varying animals & insects that need to be matched, and a nature theme in incorporated into every aspect of the game.
Features
Triazzle includes three difficulties Level 1, 2, and 3, and each has two puzzle types: 9-piece and 16 piece, plus there's a kids mode. The animals and insects come to life when you make a match. The animals and insects included are tortoises, frogs, butterflies, and fireflies. There is also a deluxe tutorial to figure out any of the features in the game.
The controls are touch to drag, and once in place you just tap to rotate. In the game there is a match feature that keeps track of how many matches you have at any point. You can access single spot hints that show you the right piece for any spot. Also you can shake to have the Triazzle Gods solve the entire puzzle piece by piece.
The Good
The visuals are amazing, and absolutely a joy to see. When you make matches the animals and insects do different actions from spinning around, hopping, fluttering, and glowing. As you’re playing frogs jump across the screen randomly as well. There are tons of picturesque nature scene backgrounds with a few different ones per puzzle type and level difficulty.
The screenshots don't do the graphics justice as everything in the game is extremely polished, and works perfectly. The sounds are great as well with a few different soundtracks each of which suit the background scene for that puzzle. The sound effects are nice as well with all of the different animals and insects making appropriate noises plus the jingles with matched pieces.
As good as the sounds and visuals are, the gameplay may be the best aspect of the game. The challenge picks up perfectly as you go in order on all three 9-piece difficulties, and then to each of the 16-piece ones. The 9-piece games seem more fun because they go quicker, and you can figure everything out. In 16-piece mode it feels more like trial and error than actual logic.
One great thing is that there is no time limit or score so it's just trying to figure out the puzzle. People who like challenges will love this game, and it can fit into any part of your day. You can to try to add a couple pieces in a little free time you have since the game saves your progress.
The Bad
After playing for awhile the controls become less responsive so when you're trying to move a piece or rotate it, the game catches a little. This isn't that big of a deal because the game has no score or time limit so it's just a little frustrating. There isn't anything to keep track of how you have done, not even the number of moves it took to complete a puzzle.
Replayability may be a question mark with only 9 or 16 piece mode with three difficulties each. There is always a different puzzle though, so you'll never have the same solution twice. For many people the game is intriguing and worth playing over and over again like Sodouku. Others like online score based games, and may have no interest in this title, but I think that is a small minority. The puzzle challenge is rewarding enough to continue playing in my opinion.
