Cut the Rope: Triple Treat (Video Game Review)

Cut the Rope: Triple Treat is the newest release from developer FUN Labs and publisher Activision. The new game combines three titles into one with the release of Cut the Rope, Cut the Rope: Experiments and Cut the Rope: Time Travel available for the first time on a Nintendo system. The new release packs an astounding amount of content that includes over 650 unique levels and more than 50 hours of gameplay. Fans of the series will already likely own one or all three games on a mobile device, and the games are available considerably cheaper from iTunes and the Google Play store, but there is a bit of additional content available only on the Nintendo 3DS release that may make the purchase on the new platform worth it for some gamers. Plus, Cut the Rope: Triple Treat offers the best way to train and prepare for Cut the Rope 2 on mobile devices!

Gamers familiar with the Cut the Rope franchise will already be aware of the game's adorable protagonist named Om Nom. Players are first introduced to the little monster with a sweet tooth in the original Cut the Rope after finding him locked away in a package on the front door step. Players must then attempt to clear each level of the game by feeding a piece of candy to the little green gobbler in some very unorthodox ways. Though the original Cut the Rope doesn't feature much in terms of a storyline, fans can find a bit more narrative by moving on to Cut the Rope: Experiments and Cut the Rope: Time Travel, where Om Nom meets up with other monsters like himself and even some of his own ancestors. The Cut the Rope series never misses a chance to be cute or creative, and it's one of the biggest reasons why the franchise has been such a success on mobile devices.

The object of any Cut the Rope level is in the name of the game. Om Nom will be located somewhere around the level, and players must cut a rope that is attached to a piece of candy to drop it into the hungry monster's mouth. The concept is simple, but the game incorporates a variety of different gameplay mechanics, even early on in the first game, that forces players to think carefully about how to approach the given situation. The first few levels of the game require only a little more than cutting all of the connecting ropes with a swipe of the touch screen to drop the candy in Om Nom's mouth, but it's not long before more accurate maneuvers need to be performed such as making a rope swing from one side of the screen to the other before being cut or using friction to launch a piece of candy up to On Nom. It's definitely a lot of fun to experiment with the game early on and slowly learn what is and isn't possible to do in the game.

The original Cut the Rope later introduces new items to the game world such as levers, bubbles and valves that can be turned for different effects. The series is physics based and includes many different items to constantly change up gameplay just when the player assumes they've learned all there is to know about the game. This continues for several different chapters that are spread across different themed boxes. The game also becomes considerably more difficult when aiming for all of three of the star pieces scattered around each level. For the highest score possible, the candy must pass through each of these before landing in Om Nom's mouth, and 100% every level of Cut the Rope is like a whole new game!

For Cut the Rope: Experiments some new items and levels were added to give players even more addictive puzzles to solve. This game utilizes new superpowers like telepathy and wacky experiments such as suction cups and trampolines to make some levels feel much more like a Rube Goldberg experiment than other puzzle like levels in the series. Likewise, Cut the Rope: Time Travel added some new ways for players to get candy to On Nom's mouth, but more importantly, it added a second creature and piece of candy to many stages to make puzzles twice as difficult as before. The two games add a considerable amount of content for the series and includes some of the most unique levels the whole franchise has seen, while both also added some additional storyline elements not featured in the first game.

Players that already own these game will be interested in the new content included in Cut the Rope: Triple Treat. For starters, the game includes interactive scenes on the top screen of the Nintendo 3DS that shows some pretty cool animations when a candy is put in the mouth of Om Nom. Cut the Rope: Triple Treat also offers an easy way to switch between all three games without much loading time and without blocking the use of a phone or tablet that could be used for other tasks beyond playing games. The game also includes online leaderboards that are easily accessed over the Nintendo 3DS wifi connection to compare stats with players from around the world, while in-game achievements are retained to give players additional goals to aim for during each campaign.

The Cut the Rope series has been known for its excellent presentation since it was introduced for mobile devices, and that continues with the release of Cut the Rope: Triple Treat. The game features colorful graphics and cute animations for the star of the game, Om Nom, and the game's touch screen controls feel just as natural when played on the Nintendo 3DS as tablets and phones. One drawback is obviously the Nintendo 3DS screen isn't quite as large as some tablets, so there may be a quick learning period for some players adjusting to the new release. The game continues to have some excellent sound effects and themes that make players want to continue playing the addictive release even when they've got other important things to be doing.

Cut the Rope: Triple Treat follows the success of the Angry Birds series being ported to home consoles and handhelds, and the Cut the Rope series may be even more addictive if only because it isn't as overdone as Angry Birds. Some gamers will likely still have a problem with paying $30 for Cut the Rope: Triple Treat when the game are available for much less on mobile devices, but the collection isn't designed for them. Cut the Rope: Triple Treat allows gamers that may not own a phone or tablet to enjoy the same great games on a Nintendo 3DS and gives parents a way to purchase the games for their kids without having to let them have free use of a $500 dollar mobile device. Cut the Rope: Triple Treat is a great option for gamers looking to play the games on Nintendo 3DS, and the bonus content just adds even more reason why purchasing the games again just makes sense.

Cut the Rope: Triple Treat is now available exclusively for Nintendo 3DS and can be purchased for the MSRP of $29.99. Cut the Rope: Triple Treat is rated E by the ESRB. For more information on the game, check out the official Cut the Rope: Triple Treat website.

Game Features:

• Single Player
• Includes Cut the Rope, Cut the Rope: Experiments & Cut the Rope: Time Travel
• Over 650 Levels and 50+ Hours of Gameplay
• Exclusive Nintendo 3DS Content
• Online Leaderboards

Game Information:
Developer: FUN Labs
Publisher: Activision
Available exclusively for Nintendo 3DS (reviewed)
Release Date: March 25, 2014

Score: 8.7 out of 10