Review: Tetris

Tetris is a video puzzle game originally designed and programmed by Alexey Pajitnov in June 1985. The game is available for nearly every video game console and computer operating system, as well as on devices such as graphing calculators, oscilloscopes, mobile phones, portable media players, PDAs, and now, the iPhone. This version was developed, and published by EA Mobile. It currently sells for $9.99 in the app store.

Presentation

This game, like all other Tetris games, have no story. As far as the feel of the game goes, it is really nice. EA’s experience in making games shines in this game. The menus are colourful, clear, and easy to navigate. Like most (if not all) EA Games, this game is beatifully pulled off, presentation wise.

Score: 9.5

Graphics

Again, EA always has great looking games. And this game is no different. The game is bright, colourful, and runs without a lag. Every so often, I get a little distracted from the game when I am using an item. Just to watch all the stuff going on, without a single lag is an amazing thing.

Score: 9.5

Sound

This game has average Tetris music. It isn’t anything special, but it is good music. The sound effects are also good. Some of the tunes are catchy, some aren’t. Overall, it could have been more, but it could have been a lot less.

Score: 7.5

Gameplay

In the game, a random sequence of tetrominoes (the playing pieces, shapes composed of four square blocks each) fall down the playing field. The object of the game is to manipulate these tetrominoes, by moving each one sideways and rotating it by 90 degree units, with the aim of creating a horizontal line of blocks without gaps. When such a line is created, it disappears, and any block above the deleted line will fall. As the game progresses, the tetrominoes fall faster, and the game ends when the stack of tetrominoes reaches the top of the playing field and no new tetrominoes are able to enter. The first you have to remember is that, the iPhone has no buttons that the game can use for the gameplay. This works out well, because it gives this old game a breath of fresh air. It isn’t the most responsive controls, but they are near perfect.

Score: 9

Value

As it is right now, it’s $9.99. The game is near the right price range. The game is extremely polished, and is much better than some apps at the same price. That being said, I think that a game mode or two are missing. The game could have had an online mode, where you play against other players (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetris_DS#Multiplayer). That would have easily made the game worth the original price of $14.99. Thankfully, updatable firmware has allowed EA to easily add this mode.

Score: 8.5

Lasting Appeal

If your a big Tetris fan, this game will last you forever. Puzzle games, generally, last people a long time, and this is no exception to the rule. The game has two game modes, marathon, and a story-like mode. Marathon is the normal unlimited mode, where the pieces keep coming. The other mode, isn’t a puzzle mode, but requires you to complete a certain amount of lines. Along the way you unlock different items to help you out. Overall, with only two game modes, this isn’t going to last everyone forever.

Score: 8.5

Overall

This is a great version of Tetris. Every last detail is well done. It isn’t perfect, but it is a great game. There hasn’t been any promice of new modes in Tetris, but I would bet that a new mode or two is probably in the works for an updated. Until then (if it comes), this game isn’t a must buy, but still a game everyone should consider.

Presentation: 9.5
Graphics: 9.5
Sound: 7.5
Gameplay: 9
Value: 8.5
Lasting Appeal: 8.5
Overall: 8.7

What To Do (Buy Or Not): Opinion

The Apper