Tetris Effect | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | |
Publisher(s) | Enhance Games |
Director(s) | Takashi Ishihara |
Producer(s) | Tetsuya Mizuguchi Mark MacDonald |
Programmer(s) | Natsuki Nishimura Takanori Uchida |
Artist(s) | Takashi Ishihara |
Composer(s) | Noboru Mutoh |
Series | Tetris |
Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
Platform(s) | PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows |
Release | PlayStation 4 November 9, 2018 Windows July 23, 2019 |
Genre(s) | Puzzle |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Tetris Effect is more than the latest iteration of the classic puzzle game. The Playstation 4 exclusive promises something deeper than simple block-falling puzzle gameplay.
Tetris Effect is a tile-matchingpuzzle video game developed by Japanese studios Monstars and Resonair and published by Enhance Games. The game was released worldwide exclusively for the PlayStation 4 on November 9, 2018, and features support for the PlayStation VR. A Microsoft Windows version, with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, released on July 23, 2019. The game garnered high praise from critics and was named Game of the Year by several publications.
Gameplay[edit]
As in the original Tetris game, the player must place tetrominos into a playfield to clear complete lines. Tetris Effect adds themes and music across thirty different stages with gameplay tied to the beat of the music.[1] A 'Zone' mechanic allows players to place several blocks at once, which allows them to potentially clear out more than sixteen lines simultaneously, performing a 'decahexatris'.[2] Clearing 18 or 19 lines simultaneously will perform a Perfectris. It is possible for 20 lines to be cleared at once thus accomplishing an Ultimatris[3]. Above that is the 21 line clear, called a Kirbtris, named after the player to pioneer the strategy, Kirby703,[4][5], followed by the 22 line Impossibilitris[6], with the highest possible number of lines to be cleared at once being 23. This has been proven possible, but not yet accomplished in game. The game also includes a meta-game leveling system that leads to new challenges for players as they progress.[1][7]
Development[edit]
Tetris Effect has been in development since 2012, and is inspired by the phenomenon of the same name, where after playing Tetris for a long period of time, players would continue to see falling Tetris blocks for some time after quitting the game. Co-producer Tetsuya Mizuguchi had wanted for many years to produce a music-based game around Tetris, but its licensing had been held by Electronic Arts, making it difficult to use. Around 2012, Mizuguchi began discussing with Henk Rogers, the founder of The Tetris Company which now owns the rights to Tetris about developing a version of Tetris set to music with a 'zone' that players would achieve while playing, leading to the start of the game's development.[7] The game is also compatible with the PlayStation VR headset. The game was released on November 9, 2018.[8]
A Microsoft Windows version, with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive VR systems, launched July 23, 2019.[9][10]
Reception[edit]
Upon launch day, Tetris Effect was met with highly positive reviews with many critics praising new game modes, the soundtrack, the visuals, and VR integration, with some critics calling it as a fitting love letter to Tetris.[11] The game currently holds an 89 out of 100 on Metacritic,[12] indicating favorable reviews from critics.
The game won the award for 'Best VR/AR Game' at the 2018 Game Critics Awards.[13] It was nominated for the same category at The Game Awards 2018,[14] and won both the Coney Island Dreamland Award for Best Virtual Reality Game and the Tin Pan Alley Award for Best Music in a Game at the New York Game Awards;[15][16] it was also nominated for 'Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Composition' at the D.I.C.E. Awards,[17] and won the awards for 'Game, Puzzle' and 'Original Light Mix Score, Franchise' at the National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers Awards, whereas its other nomination was for 'Graphics, Technical'.[18][19] It also won the award for 'Excellence in Musical Score' at the SXSW Gaming Awards, whereas its other nomination was for 'Excellence in SFX';[20][21] in addition, it was nominated for 'Best Audio', the 'Innovation Award', and 'Best VR/AR Game' at the Game Developers Choice Awards,[22] for 'Best Interactive Score' at the 2019 G.A.N.G. Awards,[23] and for 'Audio Achievement' and 'Music' at the 15th British Academy Games Awards,[24] and won the award for 'Best Audio' at the Develop:Star Awards.[25][26] The game was also nominated for 'Best Audio', 'Best VR/AR Game', and 'PlayStation Game of the Year' at the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards.[27]
Eurogamer named Tetris Effect its game of the year for 2018, writing 'It's a game of utter purity, a contemporary take on a timeless classic, and a genuinely inspiring and uplifting experience. It doesn't care about the zeitgeist, because it is, in itself, the history and the future of video games rolled into one. It's Tetris Effect.'[28] The game was also deemed the best game of 2018 by Giant Bomb.[29]
Tetris Effect sold 4,372 units in Japan during its first week of release.[30]
References[edit]
- ^ abOrland, Kyle (June 6, 2018). 'The Tetris Effect is the trippy block-stacking game we didn't know we needed'. Ars Technica. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ^Massongill, Justin (June 25, 2018). 'Tetris Effect Adds A New Strategic Layer to the Decades-Old Game… And it Works'. PlayStation Blog. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
- ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbtVC1EP1N4
- ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aD_3ako5amI
- ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhQniRYLolo
- ^https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RMfLZTtiTQ
- ^ abStark, Chelsea (June 15, 2018). 'Tetris Effect has been in development for 6 years'. Polygon. Retrieved June 15, 2018.
- ^Holt, Kris (September 17, 2018). ''Tetris Effect' drops a color bomb on your PS4 November 9th'. Engadget. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
- ^Phillips, Tom (July 16, 2019). 'Tetris Effect headed to PC next week via Epic Games Store'. Eurogamer. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
- ^Hall, Charlie (July 23, 2019). 'Tetris Effect for PS4 discounted, out now on PC'. Polygon. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^Webster, Andrew (November 9, 2018). 'Tetris Effect is a glorious love letter to Tetris'. The Verge. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^'Tetris Effect for PlayStation 4 Reviews'. Metacritic. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^Watts, Steve (July 5, 2018). 'Resident Evil 2 Wins Top Honor In E3 Game Critics Awards'. GameSpot. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^Grant, Christopher (December 6, 2018). 'The Game Awards 2018: Here are all the winners'. Polygon. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^Keyes, Rob (January 3, 2019). '2018 New York Game Awards Nominees Revealed'. Screen Rant. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^Meitzler, Ryan (January 23, 2019). 'The New York Game Awards Reveals 2019 Winners; God of War Earns the Top Prize'. DualShockers. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- ^Makuch, Eddie (January 10, 2019). 'God Of War, Spider-Man Lead DICE Awards; Here's All The Nominees'. GameSpot. Retrieved January 11, 2019.
- ^'Nominee List for 2018'. National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. February 11, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2019.
- ^'Winner list for 2018: God of War breaks record'. National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers. March 13, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
- ^Trent, Logan (February 11, 2019). 'Here Are Your 2019 SXSW Gaming Awards Finalists!'. South by Southwest. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^Khan, Zarmena (March 17, 2019). 'God of War Takes Home 'Game of the Year' at SXSW 2019 Gaming Awards'. PlayStation LifeStyle. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
- ^Good, Owen S. (January 4, 2019). 'Red Dead Redemption 2 tops list of Game Developers Choice nominees'. Polygon. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^Lagumbay, Emmanuel (February 14, 2019). '2019 G.A.N.G. Awards Finalists'. Game Audio Network Guild. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
- ^Fogel, Stefanie (March 14, 2019). ''God of War,' 'Red Dead 2' Lead BAFTA Game Awards Nominations'. Variety. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
- ^Blake, Vikki (May 16, 2019). 'Shortlist for Develop:Star Awards 2019 revealed'. MCV. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
- ^Blake, Vikki (July 11, 2019). 'Here are this year's Develop:Star Awards winners'. MCV. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
- ^Tailby, Stephen (September 20, 2019). 'Days Gone Rides Off with Three Nominations in This Year's Golden Joystick Awards'. Push Square. Retrieved September 21, 2019.
- ^Welsh, Oli; Donlan, Christian; Robinson, Martin; Yin-Poole, Wesley (December 31, 2018). 'Eurogamer's game of the year 2018 is Tetris Effect'. Eurogamer. Retrieved January 3, 2019.
- ^Gerstmann, Jeff (December 28, 2018). 'Here's What Won'. Giant Bomb. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
- ^Romano, Sal (November 14, 2018). 'Media Create Sales: 11/5/18 – 11/11/18'. Gematsu. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
External links[edit]
- Official website
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tetris_Effect&oldid=947168645'
On PlayStation VR had a profound emotional impact on me during a recent marathon session, and the experience left me with more questions than answers.Why was I responding so strongly, and with such emotional force, to a game in which you line up blocks in order to make them disappear? Why was this happening when playing in virtual reality, and why couldn’t it be replicated as strongly when I tried the “flat” version of the game on a standard display?I have a few theories, but words are only going to be so helpful with this one. If you have the opportunity, please try to track down Tetris Effect in PlayStation VR and give it a shot.
I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. What VR adds to Tetris EffectThink of a standard weekday — whether it’s good or bad — in terms of friction. Oversleeping adds friction, since you then have less time to get ready for work or school. Being out of coffee or a favorite breakfast adds friction, leading to either less energy or even a headache due to caffeine withdrawal.
A day can quickly become horrible before it even begins. RelatedBut when friction is removed? It all feels like it’s going your way. The coffee is right there. The traffic lights turn green right as I pull up.
My laptop is fully charged, and the writing comes easily. Good days, the days where everything is moving in my direction, are defined by a lack of friction.Most days are a combination of good and bad moments, but pop culture has given me an effective way to communicate what it feels like when everything is going my way: Everything is synced to a beat. If a director or editor wants to show a character being in complete control of their environment, they bring in a musical selection and match the rhythms of the beat with the editing.Edgar Wright took this to the extreme in, a movie that features a soundtrack that the titular character uses to organize and adapt to his reality. Tetris Effect — along with past games from producer Tetsuya Mizuguchi, like and — puts me into that ecstatic state of flow by syncing the soundtrack to the visuals, but that’s just the first part of the equation. The actions on the screen, which I control, are also locked into how the game looks, sounds and feels. Doing poorly means that you’ll be booted out of a song or level without finishing it, but doing well allows you to lose yourself in the experience. The world is working with you, helping you to see the right path forward.And when you find it?
You’re rewarded by every tool the game has at its disposal to celebrate your work. Everything I’m doing suddenly feels right, as if I were conducting the rhythm of the universe through puzzle pieces.While previous Tetris games allowed me to impose order on chaos by lining up the pieces, Tetris Effect presents a spectacle where playing well means that I impose order on all the input coming into my senses. The friction is removed. Everything in my virtual life is suddenly going my way. This sense of harmony is not something you get from many other games, and the only other examples I can think of were also developed by Mizuguchi. Tetris Effect feels good when played on a standard screen, but that sense of harmony and “rightness” is multiplied in VR. The sprays of pixels and particles, which cover the screen when you do well, now move across your entire field of view.
The shapes and animations that were once confined to the screen now exist in 3D space, wrapping around me completely. The window into a world that I can make harmonious expands, until it feels as though I exist within that world.There can be no distractions, because I can only see and hear the game. It’s overwhelming, in a positive way, and the experience can’t be delivered through any other medium. Tetris Effect, when playing on the PlayStation VR, delivers harmony on command.That’s a heavy thing for a game to offer, but it’s a big reason why Tetris Effect is one of my favorite games of the year. I’m not sure I would feel the same way had I only played it on a standard TV. There’s no “right” way to play any game, despite what the internet might tell you. But you should give this a shot if you can.The VR version of Tetris Effect is much more effective at delivering the sort of euphoria the game seems designed to evoke.
And who doesn’t need a bit of euphoria on the days where nothing else seems to be going your way?