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Players: 1-6 (ages 7+)
Playing Time: 10-15 minutes
Whether you’re playing on your own or with the whole family, Triplica provides plenty of fast-paced, shape-matching challenges.
The game’s rule sheet suggests three different ways to play: one solitaire and two multi-player. The basic idea, though, is to play the Play Cards (each of which shows three different shapes) in a way that will line up three of the same shape in a row, either horizontally or diagonally.
If you’re playing with opponents, you’ll begin with 3-5 Play Cards (depending on the number of players) in the center of the table. Each player gets a Goal Card, which shows just one shape. To score your goal, you’ll need to get three of the shape on your Goal Card to line up in a row.
Game play varies, depending on which rules you select, but players take turns playing a Play Card from their hand on top of the cards on the table, trying to score their goal. Once you score your goal, you then move on to another Goal Card—and the first to score five goals wins the game.
The basic rules are pretty simple—much like a game of tic-tac-toe, only with stars and squares and circles instead of Xs and Os—but Triplica is a deceptively challenging game. Though it will take no time at all to figure out how to play, it’ll take a bit of practice before you’ll figure out how to win.
Even after you get the hang of things, though, it’s still anybody’s game—because even the most carefully-planned strategies will only get you so far. And that’s what makes it such a maddening—and addictive—game.
Although the variety of game play options makes Triplica a bit difficult to explain, it also makes it a diverse game. You can choose which version you like better—or which one works best for the number, age, and experience level of the players. You can play by yourself with the solitaire rules. Or you can play with any number of opponents.
With each new set of variables, the game’s dynamics are just a little bit different, too. With two players, you can strategize and set up your plays a bit easier. With three or more players, you have more Play Cards on the table (and thus more possibilities for scoring a goal), but you also have more opponents to mess up your plan between turns—which makes it more difficult to strategize.
With its simple rules and its maddening mix of luck and strategy, Triplica makes a great pick for your family’s game night. It’s easy to play, but it’s challenging enough that it will keep players of all ages coming back for more.
