Review: Tetris
by Simone Luker
July 5, 2009
Overview
The good old game of Tetris is back, like never before. The iPhone has given Tetris a new lease on life by using it's Touch Screen UI and adding multiple new features. With two different modes Tetris can be played for hours - just like the original, but slightly better. Tetris is a favorite for everyone, it's a game that's been tested through the ages and keeps coming back.
If you have been living in the dark ages and don't know what Tetris is - it's a game where you place different shaped tetrimino's to form lines. Each line formed basically evaporates. The more lines you create in one go, the more points you earn. But, don't let those tetrimnos get to the top, because then it's game over.
Features
Marathon: Marathon mode is simply this, keep playing and making as many lines as possible until you either get bored or lose the game.
Magic: Magic mode is a new feature of Tetris where the higher you move in level, the more items you receive. First you get a pincher, which makes the shape go to one block instead of four.
Then you receive bubble wrap. Click on this and then go around popping as many boxes you don't want. The third item you receive is a crayon, here you can draw what shape you would like to receive next. Then you get wrecking balls, wrecking balls destroy tetrimino's. The fourth item is a hammer.
Graphics: The graphics are definitely an updated version of Tetris, but ultimately still the same shapes and idea.
Music: The music for Tetris is funky and laid back, something I would expect for a Ministry of Sound Chillout sessions album. Basically, an awesome backing track for a game. Something worth listening to.
Breakdown
Good
It's the same old game, but better with newer features and the music gives it a great modern, edgy feel. The touch feature only makes playing Tetris easier.
Bad
The hard fall, in which you throw down the tetrimino's quickly is sometimes difficult, because if you flick too quickly or with a slight angle the tetimino will flip or go in a different direction.
Took me a while to figure out all the items, and how they work.
