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Reader review by kingbroccoli
April 25, 2004 Playing Tetris for the first time can change a gamers life forever. Squaring off against those blocks is one of the magic moments of gaming. Play the game for half an hour and you can be hooked for life. The addictiveness that Tetris contains is almost scary, it's like a drug that you just can't get enough of. Turn this game off and you'll have falling blocks imprinted onto your eyelids, once it's taken a hold of your mind it'll never let go. Tetris is one of the greatest games of all time, if not THE greatest.GAMEPLAY
The gameplay is where this game comes into it's own. There has yet to be another game to match the weirdly addictive but ultimately fulfilling gameplay that this one offers. For those of you that have been living in a cave for the last 15 years here's how it works. You're presented with a playing field ten columns in width, blocks of different shapes descend from the top of the playing field and it's you're job to make rows so the blocks will disappear. Because of the steady increase in pace as the levels go up there is enough challenge for anyone, no matter how experienced they are. For the less seasoned gamer you can start at Level 0 where the blocks fall at such a slow rate it can put you to sleep. If you think you're too hot to touch however, the more challenging Levels 10+ in which the blocks can fall so fast it makes you dizzy, can be tackled.
Tetris is definitely one of the most strategic games going around, there are an unlimited amount of ways to go about playing the game, but the only way to be truly successful in this game is to have a clear mind and to be able to think VERY quickly. When you finally reach the ''Tetris Zone'' finding the perfect shapes to fill the gaps will completely take over your mind and push all other thoughts into the background. It's just magnificent!
There are two modes, depending on whether you want quick satisfaction or a long gruelling game. In A-Mode you choose a starting level and play until you can't play any more, with the level rising with every ten lines. B-Mode presents you with a challenge of scoring 25 lines on the level and starting height of your choice. Each of these modes has the potential to keep you enthralled for months at a time.
The controls are simple enough, the D-Pad moves the blocks from side to side or drops them quickly and the A or B button can be used to rotate the blocks. The responsiveness of the controls (which is the downfall of many a Tetris clone) are just right, everything seems to move at just the right pace rather than always moving too quickly.
If there had been a two-player mode included then the lifespan of this game could nearly have doubled (which would put it up close to 50 years) but this is the only thing missing from one of the most perfect games of all time.
GRAPHICS
The graphics of Tetris are simple (like the graphics of most puzzle games are) even by NES standards, but simple doesn't neccesarily mean ugly. The graphics are bright and clear for the most part and the blocks are always easy to distinguish, which is all that's really required as puzzle games should never rely on pretty graphics .
SOUND
The sound of Tetris is nearly as addictive as the gameplay. There are three separate tunes for you to choose from, and two of them are the type of tunes that you'll find yourself absent mindedly humming whilst walking down the street or continuously playing in your head. If the third selection had been up to standards the audio probably would have recieved a ten, but compared to the other two this one could make your ears bleed. Going past the music and there are a few nice sound effects for rotating the blocks and also for when they land, but these are easy to ignore and they're hardly noticed. Like the visuals, Tetris' audio is simple but it still works.
FUN FACTOR
Tetris' fun factor is simply unequalled. Whilst it may seem frustrating at times you get so much satisfaction from creating personal records or passing that difficult level, that before you know it you're having an immense amount of fun and won't want to put down the controller or give anyone else a turn.
LIFESPAN
The replayability that Tetris offers is cartridge melting stuff. There are so many different variations to play, levels and heights to complete. Overall there are 120 different scenarios for you to start on, and even then due to the random blocks being chosen the game will be completely different from the last million you've played. Each game of Tetris is never the same, and rest assured that it's never boring. If a person gets hooked they'll be playing this game until they're senile.
OVERALL
Overall, Tetris gets 10 out of 10 even though it deserves so much more. This game alone gets more playtime than all 30 Playstation games that are in my possession. If you've got Tetris or have played it, then you should know what i'm talking about, so go out and play it more! If you haven't experienced the wonder that is Tetris then you have absolutely no idea in the world what you're missing. Find Tetris at all costs, even if it requires trading one of your kidneys for it.
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GOOD POINTS
- The gameplay; addictive, strategic and still unbeaten
- Audio, video, absolutely everything!
NOT SO GOOD POINTS
- Tetris will completely slaughter your social life given half a chance. You've been warned.
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GRAPHICS - 5/10
SOUND - 8/10
GAMEPLAY - 10/10
CHALLENGE - 10/10
FUN FACTOR - 10/10
LIFESPAN - 10/10
OVERALL - 10/10
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