Tetris Effect (2019)
Developer: Monstars Inc. and Resonair
Platform: Personal Computer
Induction Date: 05/27/2020
I've inducted plenty of titles from the Epic Games Store recently, thanks to their Epic Mega Sale 2020 event. One of those games is Tetris Effect by Monstars Inc. and Resonair. I feel horrible now for waiting this long to get this game - though I don't have that irrational hate for EGS where the game is still being sold exclusively for the Personal Computer, I used to have an irrational attachment to Steam, but Epic's generous discount scheme has convinced me otherwise. Tetris Effect is the most exciting new game I have played in recent memory and I have played too many over these past 5 years that couldn't hold my interest. Tetris Effect changes all that. It's an unexpected masterpiece and it's definitely one of the best games ever made.
The original Tetris is a classic and its many variants produced memorable entries. They can be fun, they are certainly playable but for the most part however, they do feel a bit plain. We all know this to be true. But now that Tetris Effect is here, I will not be able to play the game any other way. It's like listening to music, an activity that I cannot passively participate in anymore for it must be experienced through Audiosurf 2. So what makes this game so special? Yes, it's just a Tetris game but it has a devious twist. It's deeply infused with vision and music. It's Tetris + Lumines, if you are familiar with that game, only that in merging the two, it created a drastically superior game. Basically, you do the same things you do in a Tetris game: blocks of different shapes fall from the top of the screen and you must place them strategically on top of each other and if you fill a horizontal space completely, you clear the line. The only difference here is that every move you make will trigger a reaction punctuated by sound and imagery. It's like every single action you partake in matters. You're not simply moving blocks around and clearing them. You are participating in something much, much deeper. This is especially true since many of the stages present though-provoking themes that are rooted in parallelism, nature, and existence. The problem with the Lumines games is that they become unwitting servant to the beat structure, where you have to keep your block-clearing combos going with the beat of the music. Tetris, in its rudimentary form, is a more freeing game, thus here, you create your own beats through your action, all the while the audio and visuals are still coherent as they sync to you as you finalize your choices. Then, there is the "zone" mechanics where the game can be slowed down for the ultimate combo setup or when you need a breather if the blocks are falling down too fast during certain parts of a stage. Providing the players more control resulted in a more satisfying gameplay.
The apex of celebration can only be reached when justice and equality are available to all.
There are two modes of play in the game. My favorite is Journey Mode, which covers all of the stages available in the game. I love just attempting a one credit clear playthrough here, both for the pure joy of going through the entire game and climbing up the multi-faceted leaderboards. Then, you have the Effect Modes that offer a variety of ways to play. They are more of a distraction to me but those seeking a challenge may find the time and line restrictive rules of some of them engaging. I do like that you can see online players represented by their chosen avatars circling the Earth in the Effect Modes screen.
From the psychedelic to the monochromatic, prepare to titillate your senses.
Do you like Tetris? If you do, you will absolutely love this game. If you have never played Tetris before, it's a great time to be introduced to one of the best puzzle game mechanics ever devised further enhanced to infinity. Sometimes, you don't have to come up with an original idea, you just have to improve upon those that are already there. The game also supports virtual reality. The VR experience is pure transcendence, it's too bad I couldn't keep playing it that way because I have already packed away my HTC Vive for my eventual move. Fans of Rez, Child of Eden, and Lumines will enjoy a lot of references to those games in Tetris Effect though sadly, we are not blessed with any Genki Rockets stuff here. Tetris Effect is truly a revelation. If the only reason for you to not play it now is because you don't want to get it on EGS, well, I was in your shoes and I am telling you, it's worth it. Tetris Effect is that good.
RATING: 5 out of 5
Update Note: 08/18/2021 - The game now has been updated to the new "Connected" version which features more multiplayer modes plus cross-platform fucntionality. The best addition is the Connected Mode where three players can fight through a series of A.I. opponents. Here, individual player boards can temporary merge to potentially unleash a massive screen clearing combo. It's disappointing that nothing new is added to the single player experience and the game forces you to climb up the multiplayer rankings to get to the new rewards and goodies. The quintessential Tetris Effect experience is still the Journey Mode because the versus and co-op modes just lack that emotional, deep connection you can have with the game, which is the whole point of this game's endeavor. It's nice that the new contents are provided free to owners of the previous version of the game though because they could have sold them as a skippable $5 downloadable content.
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