The sequel to 2020's Twin Breaker is here
By Paul Hunter
Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey is the latest instalment in the Sacred Symbols series from developer Lillymo Games. This quirky, retro-inspired arcade game puts a fresh spin on the classic brick-breaking formula established by Arkanoid and Breakout. If you're a fan of 2020's Twin Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Adventure, you'll be delighted to know that Tri Breaker continues the story of pilots Colin Moriarty and Chris Ray Gun. But if you haven't played the original, don't worry as you can hop right in and enjoy the sequel.
The story picks up after the events of Twin Breaker, with our podcasting heroes enjoying a well-deserved retirement in a posh gated mansion. But their peaceful respite is short-lived, as NASA sends fellow Sacred Symbols podcaster Dustin Furman to call Colin and Chris back into action to save the galaxy once more. The ships "Greetings" and "Salutations" return, along with a third spacecraft piloted by Dustin that is, ahem, rather unconventional looking let's just say.
Tri Breaker takes the basic brick-breaking mechanics from the original and turns them on their head. In addition to controlling the twin paddles using both analog sticks, you'll also guide Dustin's ship using the L and R shoulder buttons to aim and orient it. While it takes a bit of time to adjust to the new mechanic, it can actually make completing levels slightly easier as you can use Dustin's ship to hit those tricky last few bricks before the timer runs out. Like the original, there are 40 levels to complete filled with a variety of obstacles, power-ups, and boss battles that will test your reflexes and problem-solving skills.
What sets Tri Breaker apart from other brick breaking games is its focus on storytelling and characters. The Sacred Symbols podcasting crew are given new professions, with Colin and Chris being space pilots, while Dustiin is a quirky government official and space traveller. Dustin manages to convince his two buddies to suit up one more time and form a trio—hence the title, Tri Breaker.
The game's narrative is packed with witty banter, pop culture references, and political satire that pokes fun at both sci-fi tropes and real-world issues. Whether it's poking fun at the phallic shape of Dustin's spacecraft or making sly jabs at government bureaucracy, the writing consistently delivers laughs while also exploring deeper themes.
What's particularly impressive is how the narrative remains engaging and coherent, even as the gameplay mechanics shift dramatically from one level to the next. You might find yourself navigating a classic brick-breaking challenge one moment, then piloting a spacecraft through a horizontal shoot 'em up the next. These abrupt changes in gameplay style mirror the unpredictable nature of the story, which unfolds into a delightfully absurd and humorous romp through the cosmos.
Despite the wacky premise and offbeat humour, the story in Tri Breaker also manages to be surprisingly heartfelt at times. The bond between Colin, Chris, and Dustin feels genuine, and you can't help but root for this mismatched trio as they navigate one ridiculous situation after another. Overall, the story in Tri Breaker is deliciously quirky and consistently subverts expectations, particulary the team's growing camaraderie that provides a welcome emotional anchor amidst the brick breaking chaos.
At its core, the basic objective in Tri Breaker remains the same—destroy all the blocks on each level. This time though, you can use Dustin's ship to precisely target specific blocks or intercept the ball as it ricochets around the screen. Coordinating the movements of both paddles and the ship requires a significant amount of dexterity and quick thinking.
No long into the adventure, Tri Breaker's gameplay does something unexpected: rules can change on the fly, and some levels abandon the paddle entirely, tasking you with guiding Dustin's ship through a series of timed challenges. Others introduce power-ups and obstacles that dramatically alter the flow of play. Tri Breaker has levels that borrow elements from all kinds of classic arcade titles including Frogger, Galaga, Snake, Pong, Pac-Man and more. It's like a greatest hits compilation that throws a curveball or two into each game to spice up the gameplay.
This sense of unpredictability keeps you on your toes and ensures that no two levels feel the same. Just when you think you've mastered a particular strategy, the gameplay changes up and new strategies are needed to succeed. The result is a gameplay experience that is fresh and exhilarating.
Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey uses a retro-inspired aesthetic is a perfect fit for the game's quirky personality. The pixel art style harkens back to the glory days of '80s and '90s arcade gaming, with vibrant colours and a charming sense of simplicity. Each level is designed with a variety of blocky structures and geometric shapes that capture the classic brick-breaking vibe.
What's particularly impressive is how Lillymo have managed to imbue these basic visual elements with a genuine sense of character. The three protagonists—Colin, Chris, and Dustin—are all rendered in a crisp, expressive pixel art style that makes them instantly memorable. The story is told through a comic book panel style, which is perfect for creating old school gaming vibes.
Where Tri Breaker truly shines, however, is in its stellar audio presentation. The soundtrack is an absolute delight, with a collection of upbeat, chiptune-inspired tracks that perfectly capture the game's energetic spirit. Whether you're navigating a classic brick-breaking challenge or piloting Dustin's unconventional spacecraft, the music always manages to elevate the experience.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Lillymo Games
Publisher: Lillymo Games
Genre: Action, Indie
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey is the latest instalment in the Sacred Symbols series from developer Lillymo Games. This quirky, retro-inspired arcade game puts a fresh spin on the classic brick-breaking formula established by Arkanoid and Breakout. If you're a fan of 2020's Twin Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Adventure, you'll be delighted to know that Tri Breaker continues the story of pilots Colin Moriarty and Chris Ray Gun. But if you haven't played the original, don't worry as you can hop right in and enjoy the sequel.
The story picks up after the events of Twin Breaker, with our podcasting heroes enjoying a well-deserved retirement in a posh gated mansion. But their peaceful respite is short-lived, as NASA sends fellow Sacred Symbols podcaster Dustin Furman to call Colin and Chris back into action to save the galaxy once more. The ships "Greetings" and "Salutations" return, along with a third spacecraft piloted by Dustin that is, ahem, rather unconventional looking let's just say.
Tri Breaker takes the basic brick-breaking mechanics from the original and turns them on their head. In addition to controlling the twin paddles using both analog sticks, you'll also guide Dustin's ship using the L and R shoulder buttons to aim and orient it. While it takes a bit of time to adjust to the new mechanic, it can actually make completing levels slightly easier as you can use Dustin's ship to hit those tricky last few bricks before the timer runs out. Like the original, there are 40 levels to complete filled with a variety of obstacles, power-ups, and boss battles that will test your reflexes and problem-solving skills.
What sets Tri Breaker apart from other brick breaking games is its focus on storytelling and characters. The Sacred Symbols podcasting crew are given new professions, with Colin and Chris being space pilots, while Dustiin is a quirky government official and space traveller. Dustin manages to convince his two buddies to suit up one more time and form a trio—hence the title, Tri Breaker.
The game's narrative is packed with witty banter, pop culture references, and political satire that pokes fun at both sci-fi tropes and real-world issues. Whether it's poking fun at the phallic shape of Dustin's spacecraft or making sly jabs at government bureaucracy, the writing consistently delivers laughs while also exploring deeper themes.
What's particularly impressive is how the narrative remains engaging and coherent, even as the gameplay mechanics shift dramatically from one level to the next. You might find yourself navigating a classic brick-breaking challenge one moment, then piloting a spacecraft through a horizontal shoot 'em up the next. These abrupt changes in gameplay style mirror the unpredictable nature of the story, which unfolds into a delightfully absurd and humorous romp through the cosmos.
Despite the wacky premise and offbeat humour, the story in Tri Breaker also manages to be surprisingly heartfelt at times. The bond between Colin, Chris, and Dustin feels genuine, and you can't help but root for this mismatched trio as they navigate one ridiculous situation after another. Overall, the story in Tri Breaker is deliciously quirky and consistently subverts expectations, particulary the team's growing camaraderie that provides a welcome emotional anchor amidst the brick breaking chaos.
At its core, the basic objective in Tri Breaker remains the same—destroy all the blocks on each level. This time though, you can use Dustin's ship to precisely target specific blocks or intercept the ball as it ricochets around the screen. Coordinating the movements of both paddles and the ship requires a significant amount of dexterity and quick thinking.
No long into the adventure, Tri Breaker's gameplay does something unexpected: rules can change on the fly, and some levels abandon the paddle entirely, tasking you with guiding Dustin's ship through a series of timed challenges. Others introduce power-ups and obstacles that dramatically alter the flow of play. Tri Breaker has levels that borrow elements from all kinds of classic arcade titles including Frogger, Galaga, Snake, Pong, Pac-Man and more. It's like a greatest hits compilation that throws a curveball or two into each game to spice up the gameplay.
This sense of unpredictability keeps you on your toes and ensures that no two levels feel the same. Just when you think you've mastered a particular strategy, the gameplay changes up and new strategies are needed to succeed. The result is a gameplay experience that is fresh and exhilarating.
Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey uses a retro-inspired aesthetic is a perfect fit for the game's quirky personality. The pixel art style harkens back to the glory days of '80s and '90s arcade gaming, with vibrant colours and a charming sense of simplicity. Each level is designed with a variety of blocky structures and geometric shapes that capture the classic brick-breaking vibe.
What's particularly impressive is how Lillymo have managed to imbue these basic visual elements with a genuine sense of character. The three protagonists—Colin, Chris, and Dustin—are all rendered in a crisp, expressive pixel art style that makes them instantly memorable. The story is told through a comic book panel style, which is perfect for creating old school gaming vibes.
Where Tri Breaker truly shines, however, is in its stellar audio presentation. The soundtrack is an absolute delight, with a collection of upbeat, chiptune-inspired tracks that perfectly capture the game's energetic spirit. Whether you're navigating a classic brick-breaking challenge or piloting Dustin's unconventional spacecraft, the music always manages to elevate the experience.
The Verdict
Whether you're a seasoned brick-breaker veteran or a newcomer to the genre, Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey is sure to provide you with a unique and engaging experience. The new mechanic of controlling Dustin's ship is a nice twist that increases the game's strategic depth, and the dozens of levels inspired by classic arcade hits fills the experience with welcomed nostalgia. Its blend of classic gameplay, quirky humour, and unique gameplay makes this is an arcade adventure you won't want to miss.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Tri Breaker: A Sacred Symbols Odyssey details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Lillymo Games
Publisher: Lillymo Games
Genre: Action, Indie
Modes: Single-player
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.