I recently had the privilege of playing the Tetris re-release on iOS by N3TWORK and The Tetris Company, Inc., and to sum up my thoughts in one word it would have to be “meh.” Not to say that this Tetris game was terrible or unusual, it was just basically the same Tetris I’ve been playing my entire life only in a remastered version for the iPhone. I certainly had fun playing this game, but it didn’t do anything new like 2-time speed or unusual-shape-mode, just the same Tetris that we’ve known and loved for the past 35 years.
The general design of the new version of Tetris is beautiful with clean lines and nice saturated colors that are quite aesthetically pleasing. I enjoyed the swirling background of the default screen and loved the details of the trees and sun at the top of the play area. In order to further contextualize my statement that this was a relatively “meh” game, I really enjoyed the updated graphics and responsiveness optimization for the block rotations, definitely an upgrade over previous renditions of Tetris, I just saw the gameplay as a bit bland since it has remained unchanged for so many decades.
One aspect of this new Tetris game that stood out to me above all the rest was the implementation of various “themes” that the player could choose for their gaming experience. In a game that has been around as long as Tetris, any break from the usual is always appreciated by gamers seeking something new and interesting from the games that they love. I thought that this opportunity for customization in the gaming experience was an excellent touch that provided some semblance of variety to a classic game. I personally enjoyed the 8-bits mode the most as I gravitated toward the more classical and buggy look, but I must say that the amount of detail put into each of these maps was pretty significant and would assuredly satisfy any Tetris fan’s wishes for new themes to enhance gameplay.
Overall, I would say that this new rendition of Tetris is excellent… but lacks much originality beyond the addition of several new maps and graphics enhancements. Don’t get me wrong, I had fun with this game and thought that it was a quality new version of a beloved classic, I just wish that the developers had experimented with some new game modes or paces of block movement or really anything that would allow for a new gameplay experience beyond simple aesthetics. Anybody reading this review hoping for a complete transformation of this classic game; you will be sorely disappointed. What we have here is a finely tuned, well designed, and aesthetically optimized version of the same Tetris that people have known and loved for so many years. If you’re looking for a life-changing and award-winning classic of iOS games, look somewhere else. If you’re looking for a fun and challenging game to pass time and keep you busy during slow moments of the day, do yourself a favor and download Tetris.
Score: 6/10
Tetris is available today for FREE on the App Store and on Google Play.
For more information about the Tetris app, please follow N3TWORK on Twitter and Medium or visit https://n3twork.com/
iOS Review
I've been playing video games since I got a Playstation 2 when I was about 5 or 6 years old. The original Star Wars: Battlefront series and the Spyro series initially ignited my interest in gaming, but it wasn't until I got older that I truly appreciated the subtle details that make video games such a unique form of entertainment. My favorite type of video game would have to be any lengthy and plot-driven open world game, with my favorite games of all time being Batman: Arkham City, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, and Firewatch.
More Stories
Metro Simulator 2 Review for Xbox
MANOR LORDS Preview for Steam Early Access
Buckshot Roulette Review for Steam