Tetris 99

Over the last few years, the battle royale style of game has gotten increasingly popular, with arguably the best-known examples of this type of game being PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds and Fortnite Battle Royale. When Tetris 99 was announced and released earlier this year for the Nintendo Switch, I found the concept of the battle royale style crossed with a puzzle game such as Tetris to be intriguing, especially when it proved to be successful, however I was initially turned off a little by the lack of any offline capabilities and that playing it required subscribing to another service, that being Nintendo Switch Online. That said, I was more interested when a physical edition of the game was announced later in the year, as the cartridge not only came with the paid Big Block DLC that introduced offline functionality, it also included a voucher for a free year of Nintendo Switch Online. After getting a chance to play the game for a while, I can safely say this is a very interesting Tetris variant and one of the more unique versions to come out in the last few years along with Tetris Effect and Puyo Puyo Tetris.

Tetris Effect

Following Ubisoft’s exclusivity contract with Tetris Ultimate, it seemed like there wouldn’t be any new Tetris games released in the US for some time until Sega managed to find a loophole regarding Puyo Puyo Tetris, though they could only import the Switch and PS4 versions, the latter physical only. I’m unsure of the current status of Ubisoft’s contract, however I was excited to see a new Tetris game, the Monstars and Resonair-developed Tetris Effect, announced for PlayStation VR at last year’s E3 press conference. Tetris seemed like an interesting title to explore VR with, as the preview material made it clear that the platform would make the backgrounds more immersive than ever. Upon finally getting a chance to play it after getting it for Christmas, I thought it was a good Tetris game on its own as well as a great VR experience.

Basic gameplay is similar to previous Tetris games, though there are some new game modes found in this version. The primary game mode is Journey Mode, a campaign that allows you to play through different levels in sets of 3-5. In this mode, you have access to the Zone mechanic, which builds up as the player clears lines. Activating Zone allows the player to temporarily freeze time and clear beyond four lines and score additional points. As potentially cleared lines move to the bottom of the matrix before all of those are cleared at once, this mechanic can also be used as a way to clean out the matrix and make things easier for you, especially as the game speed increases. Another interesting feature about Journey is that the music is also affected by your plays, increasing immersion; the music can also influence how you play, as the game speed can be affected by the tempo of the music. The tetrominos are also themed based on the backdrop, although among the game’s plethora of options is the ability to revert them into classic colors if you feel like it.

Example of gameplay outside VR.

Other game modes can be found under Effect Mode, which features classic Tetris modes as well as some new ones organized to reflect your mood. The Zone mechanic is not accessible here, though each mode has their own rules that shake things up a bit. One of the newer modes involves having to clear 300 lines while enduring random conditions that affect what you do, ranging from simply flipping the board to turning the matrix upside down and reversing controls at the same time. Some options are also designed for when you want to relax, wherein there is no Game Over. Some modes also allow you to toggle whether they go on forever (that is until you fill up the matrix), which can be useful for the relaxation options. Effect Mode also features an optional leaderboard, though you can see everyone’s level represented by an in-game avatar as it orbits the Earth.

The music of Tetris Effect is thankfully good, with each track designed to suit the visuals and tone of the level. Some tracks can even stick with you, as can the gameplay, if the game’s namesake is anything to go by. The backgrounds are also stellar with or without VR, though especially in VR, with each of them evolving as you advance through the stage. If you just want to enjoy your favorite backdrops without having to actually play the game, finishing Journey Mode unlocks the ability to do just that, in addition to allowing you to select your favorite one(s) in some Effect Mode options.

Tetris Effect is one of the best Tetris games I have played in recent years. The backgrounds and music are both very well coordinated and executed, plus the new Zone mechanic puts an interesting twist on things. The visuals are amazing and the game is perfectly playable without VR, though it is best experienced in VR if you are able to afford the headset. Either way, the game is a must-play for Tetris fans as well as a good experience for casual fans and newcomers.

2017 - The Highlights (Tetris_King)

With another year drawing to a close, it is once again time to reflect on what we did and did not like about it. As with last year, a large number of new movies were watched and a good amount of new games were played, resulting in a rather lengthy list I found difficult to trim down. Much like last year, due to the high volume of movies from this year that I actually enjoyed, I have split my top movies of the year between live-action and animation. As per usual, the lists below are presented in no particular order, with links to reviews on the blog where applicable.

Top Live-Action Movies of 2017

Wonder Woman

After a few missteps while struggling to keep up with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it looks like the DC Extended Universe may finally be headed in the right direction. Wonder Woman succeeds where it predecessors failed, providing an enjoyable experience with an overall more light-hearted tone and a hero you actually want to root for. With a sequel set for release in a couple years, hopefully the DCEU can live up to what Wonder Woman has to offer.

Transformers: The Last Knight

Beginning from this movie, the Transformers Live-Action Film Series is set to become its own Cinematic Universe. Having been hyped enough to attend a special early screening, I found myself enjoying the film in spite of its flaws (more on that below). While the movie has a lot of plot in it, the well-placed humor and world-building (including borrowing elements from the “Aligned” continuity) kept my interest throughout. If the upcoming Bumblebee: The Movie, to be directed by Laika alumni Travis Knight, is any good, then the new Cinematic Universe might turn out well in the end.

Logan

Another R-rated X-Men movie produced after the success of Deadpool, Logan puts the spotlight on Wolverine once again, this time taking place in a future without mutants as he winds up protecting both an out-of-control Charles Xavier and a small child with mutant powers similar to his own as they make their way to a supposed mutant sanctuary. Logan manages to both tell a well-written mature story and make itself accessible to newcomers, meaning you do not need to have seen any of the previous X-Men movies to follow along. In short, Logan is a mature comic book movie done right, as well as a great movie on its own merits. The black-and-white version, Logan Noir (included with the Blu-ray), is also worth a viewing, since, though telling the same story, it offers a much different experience.

Wonderstruck

Having enjoyed Hugo, I was intrigued to find out another Brian Selznick book was being adapted, to the point where I bought the book at the signing I was at and read it shortly thereafter. The movie, written by Selznick, is not only a streamlined, faithful adaptation of the book, it also tells a rather engaging story that makes it an enjoyable movie in its own right (though it does drag a little bit in one spot). It doesn’t have the same tone or style as Hugo, however I loved Wonderstruck all the same.

Thor: Ragnarok

The Thor movies have never been the strongest movies in the MCU for me, and so this newest entry caught me by surprise. Not only is this movie highly entertaining to watch, I would honestly consider it one of the best movies of Phase 3 so far. It breathes new life into the Thor sub-series by not taking itself entirely seriously, with moments of genuine humor found all throughout the movie as well as some new development on the Hulk. Only time will tell if this new take on the God of Thunder will carry over into the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War.

Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi

Following up on The Force Awakens, this movie picks up where it left off and provides a lot more insight into Rey and Kylo Ren. As with Transformers: The Last Knight, a lot of events transpire in this movie, some of which could arguably have been shortened a little, however I found the story engaging and found myself overall enjoying it. It’s not exactly the best Star Wars movie one could hope for, however it is worth watching, especially if you want to see the late Carrie Fisher play Princess Leia one last time.

Top Animated Movies of 2017

Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Dark Side of Dimensions

As a Yu-Gi-Oh! fan, I was already looking forward to this movie upon learning details at a Comic-Con panel featuring creator Kazuki Takahashi himself. Taking place after the end of the original manga, the movie introduces a new villain, Aigami, while placing the spotlight on Seto Kaiba and his growing ambitions to defeat the Pharaoh in a Duel. The movie is animated spectacularly and gives some good character development to both Yugi and Kaiba as they head towards their future goals, plus it was actually nice to hear the English voice actors reprise their roles once more. Aigami is also given some good development for a movie-exclusive character, which is more than I can say for Anubis from the Pyramid of Light movie, though even as a Yu-Gi-Oh! fan I couldn’t quite understand how Dimension Dueling, Aigami’s preferred method, worked exactly. Still, the movie is highly entertaining for existing fans of the series and is worth a look.

Your Name.

My interest in this movie came from hearing how successful and highly praised this boy-meets-girl story was in its native Japan, and so I took the chance to view it as part of a limited theatrical run. I could see where the praise was coming from, as I got emotionally invested in both the plot and characters. I don’t want to give anything away, though I would consider Your Name. a must-see anime film.

Loving Vincent

This movie’s premise is rather interesting, telling the story of someone investigating renowned artist Vincent van Gogh’s final days and getting multiple viewpoints on how his death played out. While the story is very engaging, the main draw is the movie’s animation style, being animated entirely using 65,000+ paintings that emulate van Gogh’s particular painting style to amazing effect. This, combined with imagery and characters inspired by the subjects of van Gogh’s paintings, creates a very immersive world that you’ll want to visit again.

Top Games of 2017

Little Nightmares

Little Nightmares is a horror game that’s very effective at building up and maintaining an atmosphere throughout. While not the type of horror you can find in Resident Evil 7, this game goes more for the psychological, and the overall design and aesthetic contribute to this expertly well to create a very unnerving experience. With a string of DLC and a comic book currently being rolled out, this is an experience I’d gladly revisit once it’s all been made available.

Puyo Puyo Tetris

In a rather unexpected crossover, the Puyo Puyo and Tetris puzzle game series have come together for the first time, delivering normal Puyo Puyo and Tetris gameplay in addition to a number of other game modes (including a mode that combines the two games together). The music and sound design are also good, as is a surprisingly entertaining story mode featuring Puyo Puyo characters meeting a new set of characters representing Tetris. Though I had more fun with the Tetris segments due to personal skill level, I did find myself getting the hang of Puyo Puyo’s gameplay over time, which helped me get more into the other game modes. This is a great game for puzzle fans, especially for those who enjoy Tetris and/or Puyo Puyo.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Having never played any of the Crash Bandicoot games prior to this collection (unless the cameo in Skylanders: Imaginators counts), I found myself really enjoying it. Though difficult, the three games in this collection have a world and characters that keep you wanting more even in the face of failure, especially in regards to the first installment. With intricately remade graphics, great voice acting and a catchy soundtrack that doesn’t stop, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy is the perfect starting point for any new Crash Bandicoot fan.

Cuphead

Before this game was released, I was hyped up by the art direction alone, taking inspiration from 1930’s cartoons and being animated entirely by hand. The game itself has a very strong difficulty curve, however beating a boss to get their Soul Contract is very satisfying and makes you want to go back for more. The visuals capture the 1930’s aesthetic very faithfully, which, along with the gameplay, make the game’s lengthy development cycle worth it. Regardless of whether you're in it for the gameplay, the animation is something that would make me recommend it to those who are fans of this particular style or possibly even animation students looking to study said style.

Top Disappointments of 2017

Transformers: The Last Knight

In spite of my praise for this movie above, I recognize the movie has some issues. Aside from any plot holes (one being Bumblebee’s new ability to Iron Giant himself back together to sell more toys), the movie has an overabundance of story, including a whole Suicide Squad-style sequence that ultimately goes nowhere, and so things could have easily been cut to shorten the run time. There’s also admittedly an overabundance of new characters, most of which don’t even have toys to sell, and the short screen time for many of them makes it a little difficult to care. Regardless, the next two films, one of which centers on Bumblebee, have a chance to rectify where this one went wrong.

Despicable Me 3

After the disappointment of Minions, Illumination had the opportunity to steer the Despicable Me franchise back on track. Unfortunately, while somewhat better than Minions, this movie suffers from an overabundance of sub-plots, leaving not much room for development for either characters or story and lowering my expectations for a teased fourth installment. The only real saving grace of the movie is Trey Parker as the entertaining villain Balthazar Bratt, and even then, his performance alone could not salvage it.

Sharknado 5: Global Swarming

The Sharknado series began as a funny joke, however that joke has probably more than run its course. While it may have been able to sustain itself for 3 movies and pushed it a bit with 4, the fifth annual installment, Global Swarming, fails to really capture the same enjoyment, relying more heavily on B-list cameos, plot contrivances, shoe-horned references and ripping off better movies to keep swimming. Though the ending teases the inevitable Sharknado 6, it seems like it may be time for this shark to finally stop swimming.

Ghost in the Shell (2017)

I’ll admit my experience with Ghost in the Shell lies mainly within the 1995 animated feature and the Stand Alone Complex (SAC) anime series, however I actually enjoyed those unlike this movie. Casting controversies aside, the 2017 movie manages to capture the look of Ghost in the Shell, though I can’t say the same about the feel. It does take some scenes from the 1995 movie almost wholesale to try and ground it within that setting (while also borrowing elements from SAC), however it can’t seem to decide whether it wants to be a remake or tell an original story, overall just falling short of its real potential. If you’re looking to have a good time with Ghost in the Shell, you may as well just stick with the 1995 movie instead.

Justice League

After Wonder Woman pushed the DCEU in the right direction, Justice League feels more like a step back. Odd villain choice aside, the movie attempts to emulate the MCU’s The Avengers without understanding exactly what made it work so well, establishing a team before many of the individual members rather than the other way around. There is some humor in places and the movie is overall a major step up from Batman v Superman, however that isn’t saying much and it overall wasn’t as fun as the movie it was trying to copy. The upcoming Aquaman movie has some promise to turn things back around, hopefully borrowing more from Wonder Woman rather than this film.

Honorable Mentions

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Though a bit of a sleeper movie, The Hitman’s Bodyguard is one that I found rather enjoyable. The main draw though is that it co-stars both Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, each essentially playing a version of their most famous characters (Wade Wilson/Deadpool and Nick Fury, respectively); the two of them have surprisingly good chemistry together, their characters being good foils for each other. It’s not likely the two will share a movie like this again (pending company merger notwithstanding), though in any case it’s still worth a viewing.

Skylar & Plux: Adventure on Clover Island

Another game in the recent 3D platformer revival boom, what attracted me to this particular title was, in addition to the art direction, the ability to manipulate time to solve puzzles. Though it has some shortcomings (including some technical issues), the game is actually pretty enjoyable and I found the approach to puzzle-solving interesting. While not perfect, the game presents enough potential for a follow-up title, though whether the developer will tap into this potential remains to be seen.

Rime

While I was once again captivated by the art direction, what interested me was the idea of exploring an island and solving puzzles (though it presents itself in a more linear, story-focused fashion). The puzzles can get a little difficult, however this did not stop me as I wanted to get through it and discover what the island was all about. These puzzles, coupled with a powerful ending (plus one of the best tutorials I have ever seen), make Rime definitely worth a look.

In-Flight Tetris

While this blog normally covers video games or movies under certain parameters, sometimes we dare to go outside the box and review something weird. In this case, we have In-Flight Tetris, a version of the popular game Tetris that can only be played on airlines which feature in-flight entertainment. As a major fan of Tetris, upon spotting this game when perusing my options on a couple recent flights I took, I knew I had to check it out.

The game offers three different modes of play: Marathon, Forty Lines and Ultra. Marathon is the basic mode of Tetris where you can play indefinitely, though most games have a cap where the game will end once you clear Level 15. Due to the conditions in which I played the game (more on that later), I was not able to discern a level cap, if any, however Marathon still proves to be solid entertainment. Forty Lines, as per the name, is a mode that ends once you clear 40 lines, with the goal of clearing them as fast as you can. Ultra is essentially the opposite of Forty Lines, where you must clear as many lines as you can within a time limit; most Tetris games give Ultra a limit of 3 minutes, however in this version you only have 2 minutes. In general, the game is geared towards shorter bursts of play, which is better suited for air travel and adds to the addictive nature of Tetris.

Some sample gameplay (Marathon mode pictured).

Since the in-flight entertainment is provided via a touchscreen, the game plays using touchscreen controls, which involve tapping and swiping the screen to manipulate pieces. While the game is certainly playable this way, your performance can be greatly affected by outside forces since to the screen is placed on the back of the seat in front of you (in the case of the front row of a section of an aircraft, the screen is presumably placed on the wall in front of you). Such outside forces can include turbulence and how the person in front of you positions their seat, which can easily lead to a lot of mistakes.

First Class passengers are known on flights to get special accommodations. As I discovered first-hand, one of these benefits is a remote attached to the seat, which can be used to control the screen as an alternative to touch controls. On the back of said remote is a keyboard/game pad, allowing a different way to play the gaming options available. While this did work for In-Flight Tetris, the controls are a little awkward, since, while generally following an Xbox controller's face buttons, Y is used for confirm rather than A, which takes some getting used to. On top of this, the control stick provided is rather sensitive, which can also lead to making numerous mistakes that can ultimately cost you the game.

The graphics are actually pretty decent, with a general background aesthetic modeled after aviation and a usage of bright colors. The game also uses a ghosting effect to display where the next block will fall, presumably to make it accessible for more casual Tetris players. The game includes a special mix of “Tetris Theme A” (aka “Korobeiniki”) that is more comparable to elevator music or “muzak”, which is actually more appropriate for an airline environment. There are also some sounds cues during gameplay that appear to be recycled from previous Tetris iterations (including Tetris Elements and possibly Tetris Worlds), though this didn’t really bother me that much. You can’t actually hear anything though unless you are using a headset, which can be connected via a headphone jack located underneath the screen (between seats in First Class; earbuds will suffice either way); your airline may provide you with a headset, though it is generally recommended that you bring your own.

In-Flight Tetris is an interesting variation on the long-standing puzzle game, one that I would recommend to anyone looking for something to keep them busy on a flight, to say nothing of any passengers who happen to enjoy Tetris. Since I played it on an American Airlines flight, I have no idea what the general availability of the game is amongst other airlines, though this may depend entirely on which one you choose to fly with. In any case, if the game is available to you and you find yourself on a particularly long flight, and/or have a good grasp on the provided controller, In-Flight Tetris may keep you occupied for a good while. And remember, please fly responsibly.

2014 - The Highlights (Tetris_King)

As the New Year approaches, this is the perfect opportunity to look back on the ups and downs of the year. Below I have listed my favorites and disappointments of 2014 that was covered by this blog, with links provided where appropriate, with no specific order intended.

Top Movies of 2014

Transformers: Age of Extinction

I don’t actually feel an obligation to include Transformers movies on my lists, but I really did enjoy this installment in the Live-Action Movie continuity. Yes, I’ll agree that it does seem to run a bit long, but what I liked were the improvements it made over previous films, mainly in regards to the human cast and how well it draws from the Transformers mythos (including the G1 cartoon continuity, Transformers Animated, and the IDW G1 continuity among others) to add to the experience. After having seen it multiple times, I find this installment to be the best so far in the live-action movies, as well as a worthy representative of 30 years of Transformers, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one.

The LEGO Movie

It is extremely hard for me to say anything about the plot of this movie without completely ruining it, but if you are/were in any way a fan of LEGO products, this is definitely a must-see.

Guardians of the Galaxy

During the gap between Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Marvel Studios decided to base a movie on Guardians of the Galaxy, one of Marvel’s more obscure comic lines to the point where even a die-hard fan might have to fact-check some things. Though I was skeptical at first, I was interested partially because James Gunn (writer of Lollipop Chainsaw) was the director and the end result turned out much better than I anticipated. Even though this movie introduces an entire team, I thought it managed to do that pretty well (I actually ended up a fan of both Groot and Rocket Raccoon) and the music choice was surprisingly good and created a unique atmosphere, to the point where I will probably forever associate those songs with this movie. To me, this was a surprising hit from Marvel Studios and I highly anticipate what they decide to do next with the characters.

Top Games of 2014

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: All-Star Battle

Even though I have only recently gotten into JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure (I’m currently waiting for the anime of Part III: Stardust Crusaders to continue), this is a fighting game that I found myself having a hard time putting down. Not only is the fanservice amazing (the developers really did their research and it shows), it’s also a game I found to be fairly well-balanced, with each character offering a unique move set that matches their canon abilities and actions, some of which can actually be influenced by which character the opponent is using and, sometimes, even the chosen arena, just to name a couple of factors. If the anime grabbed my interest in the series, this game really helped to cement it.

Tetris Ultimate

Just as Age of Extinction ties into the 30^th anniversary of Transformers, Tetris Ultimate is a new game made to correlate with the 30^th anniversary of Tetris, and I couldn’t have asked for anything better. While retaining what makes Tetris what it is, this game provides a huge swath of gameplay options to keep you interested for what may be a very long time. Top that off with great music and visuals and you have yourself a worthy Tetris game for the modern age.

Top Disappointments of 2014

The Amazing Spider-Man 2

While I wasn’t really enthralled by the first The Amazing Spider-Man, I went to see this movie anyway solely so I could stay somewhat in the loop regarding comic book superhero movies. Unfortunately, despite the fact that I wasn’t expecting much anyway, I ended up getting less than that, since the plot manages to be somewhat incoherent and the characters unlikeable, resulting in a complete mess of a movie (not even a costume change was enough to convince me that it was for the better). In the end, I found this installment to be a very lackluster example of a Spider-Man flick and I hope something about it improves in the next release, if there even is one.

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks

I may be a fan of My Little Pony G4 (though not necessarily very high on the “brony” scale), but I’m not really much of a fan of the Equestria Girls spin-off. However, when this movie was announced, I decided to watch it anyway to see what direction the series would be taken in, plus the previews made it seem like there was some promise to it. This turned out to be more of an empty promise, since the re-introduction of Twilight Sparkle from the pony world into the human world ruined any potential this movie may have had with fleshing out Sunset Shimmer as a character, though the music is somewhat better and the villains were better written than Sunset Shimmer. To me though, this movie only presents a rather marginal improvement over the last feature and I really hope that Twilight Sparkle isn’t shoehorned into the plot again so that the spin-off can have its own identity, despite whatever potential for this hope not coming to pass the post-credits scene might present.

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark

When I heard about the concept behind this game, that it was a crossover between the Movie and Aligned Transformers continuities, I was curious to see how well it would be pulled off, though I expected that it would not be able to top Fall of Cybertron. Not only did it meet this expectation, it also turned out to be worse than I thought it would be. The game does manage to somewhat fit itself into the Aligned continuity portions, which is more than I can say for the Age of Extinction half, but on top of this it isn’t that much fun, rather it feels like the game is just going through the motions. This also seems to carry over into the voice acting, since while it uses the same cast from Fall of Cybertron, save for a select few (Peter Cullen as Optimus Prime not withstanding), it sounded like the actors weren’t putting in their best effort. In short, this game felt like it had some really wasted potential with its premise and I hope more of an effort is put into any future Transformers games.

Tetris Ultimate (PS4)

With this year being the 30^th anniversary of the popular Tetris series of games, a new game developed by SoMa Play and published by Ubisoft, Tetris Ultimate, was released in celebration. As a big fan of Tetris, I enjoyed getting a chance to play this game at the Ubisoft Uplay Lounge earlier this year, and so when the game was recently released for PlayStation 4, I did not hesitate to purchase it. After getting some more hands-on time with the game, I found it was just as good as I remembered it being, if not better.

The basic gameplay of Tetris is the same as in previous iterations, so I won’t delve into the particulars of that, but there are some interesting gameplay tweaks that make Tetris Ultimate stand out from its predecessors. There are 6 different modes to pick from: Marathon (play to level 15), Endless (survive as long as you can), Sprint (clear 40 lines), Ultra (play for 3 minutes), Battle, and Battle Ultimate. In Battle mode, the goal is to see who, between 2 to 4 players, can survive the longest, with the ability to send over lines after clearing them to make it tougher for the opponent(s). Battle Ultimate is similar to Battle, but with the addition of power-ups to make it more interesting. As mentioned in the aforementioned Uplay Lounge post, a new power-up will show up after every 7 lines cleared, with each one being a normal Tetris piece that has a unique symbol and an effect that activates once part of the block is cleared, ranging from moving the opponent’s stacked blocks in their matrix to the left for a few turns to clearing an additional few lines from your screen and open up space in your matrix.

Each gameplay mode also has a few options to make for a different experience. For Marathon, Endless, Sprint, and Ultra, there’s Solo, Versus, Team Battle, and Co-Op options; Battle and Battle Ultimate have just the Versus and Team Battle options, as they are specifically meant for multiplayer. The Co-Op option has 2+ players sharing a matrix (including the Next and Hold (done with R1) portions of the layout) in order to reach the given goal, while Team Battle pits 4 players against each other in teams of 2 using this layout for each team. The Multiplayer functions can be done locally or offline, with the option to play locally with provided bots if you so desire, though I chose to play locally with my brother when trying out these modes. Each combination works pretty well and the different options open up a lot of possibilities, providing plenty of replay value. You also have the ability to change certain aspects of the game to have the gameplay match that of previous incarnations of Tetris, which is a very interesting feature, so if you want to you can manipulate it to be just like the ever-popular Game Boy version.

What Battle Ultimate can end up looking like.

There’s also the ability to obtain badges for completing certain tasks, some of which are more demanding than others. There are, of course, really easy ones to accomplish such as trying out Sprint mode and (depending on your skill level) beating someone in a Battle mode, to more labor-intensive ones like playing 30 games with another player and one of the Uplay badges that requires (no kidding) getting 333 cumulative Triples. Some of them also require playing online (which I have no interest in doing), but aside from that these aren’t too bad depending on how dedicated you are, though I think it would be nice if there was some sort of counter for some badges to help keep track of your progress towards obtaining them (otherwise all you have to know is that you’ll have to clear Triples forever if you want the one badge). There are also certain badges you can get that up your rank, referred to as “Belts” (similarly to martial arts), which are meant to display your Tetris skill level, which, combined with the badges, provide some incentive for bragging rights. Though I haven’t really explored this feature, the Uplay badges also allow you to gain units that you can use to acquire special rewards (such as a download of the game’s music).

The graphics are very vibrant and colorful, with some minor details that add to experience once you notice them, such as the hard drop you make producing small debris for a split second and the blocks you are controlling producing a subtle glow that matches the color of said block. The music is also really well-orchestrated, among it a rather interesting mix of the familiar song Korobeiniki (aka Tetris Theme A) associated with the game. At least when playing an option that can be done in Solo, the music starts out softly, almost having a more ethereal vibe to it, but as you level up, the song become more familiar and more intense as it gets faster, all while keeping the same atmosphere. It’s interesting how this is implemented and I would consider it one of my favorite mixes in the Tetris games that I have been able to play.

Also mentioned in the Uplay Lounge post, one small detail that I find fascinating is that, during a game, the light on the DualShock 4 will change color to match that of the block you are currently manipulating, such as the “T” block producing a purple light and the “Z” block a red. Again, it’s a small detail, but it’s one that I think adds something to the experience, even if the player isn’t able to see it directly.

Tetris Ultimate is a package that I think to be worthy of celebrating the Tetris 30-year milestone. The basics are familiar, but there is a good variety of gameplay options and the badges available to acquire add some incentive to keep playing (outside of a love for Tetris) and to explore as much of the game as possible. No matter your skill level, this is a Tetris game that I would recommend, if only so you too can celebrate the longevity of the series. Hopefully the Tetris game and franchise will continue to prosper in the years to come.

Tetris (Game Boy) - A Major Gaming Milestone

30 years ago today, a Russian programmer named Alexey Pajitnov created Tetris, a puzzle game whose popularity and status as a gaming icon persists to this day (fun fact: “Tetris” is a portmanteaux of the Greek number prefix “tetra-“, meaning “four”, and “tennis”, the favorite sport of Alexey Pajitnov). In celebration, it seemed appropriate to review something Tetris-related, and I thought what better game to discuss than the version released for Nintendo’s original Game Boy handheld in 1989 (which, according to an IGN interview, also happens to be Alexey Pajitnov’s favorite)? Now, retro games (for our purposes, anything from the first four console generations) are not usually reviewed on this blog unless it’s part of a special event (see: our Duke Nukem reviews), which this game fits the criteria for. Before typing this, I played a few games to figure out how to approach this game, and to complete the experience I played it on an original Game Boy device (which, incidentally, I never owned before my trip to the last WonderCon). So without further ado, let’s see how well this classic game still holds up.

Discussing the basic gameplay of Tetris, in which you control falling blocks, or tetrominos (called Tetriminos in modern releases), to clear lines in a matrix, would be useless, as it is so well-known and nearly everyone that’s played at least some version of the game has found something addictive in its simplicity (me included). However, I will discuss the different gameplay modes of the Game Boy version as well the minute differences that make it different from other iterations. Aside from the main game, labeled as Type A, there is also a Type B game which consists of trying to clear a set number of lines. The difficulty for either can be set by what level you wish to start from, while the difficulty for the Type B game can be further set by the High, or how high up you want any Junk Blocks (blocks that are placed on the board to impede your progress) to be on the screen (the 0 setting means zero Junk Blocks in this case). Before playing each game, you can also select from 3 different music tracks (labeled Type A, B, and C), or have the music off (which isn’t likely to be selected). The Type A music is the most famous among these, being a rendition of a Russian folk song called Korobeiniki, more commonly known stateside as the “Tetris Theme” (for those taking notes, the Type C track is Baroque musician Johann Sebtastian Bach’s French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: Menuet).

You're probably thinking about where that falling block should go.

One thing that should be noted about this version of Tetris is how it’s different on a technical level, graphics aside. While of course it doesn’t have some of the more modern gameplay elements such as Hold and Easy Spin due to when it was released, it does have a notable difference in the way gravity works in-game. In many of the more recent releases of the game, the tetrominos have a sort of gravity where, after a line is cleared, any lingering pieces from cleared portions of a block will fall down to fill empty spaces, which can end up clearing more lines in the process. As it is one of the earliest known releases of Tetris, the Game Boy version doesn’t have this kind of gravity, so any remaining portions of blocks stay where they are until they are cleared. Depending on one’s perspective, this can end up creating some additional tension as you try to manipulate incoming blocks to clear away more space for larger tetrominos (especially if you’re trying to get a Tetris with an I Block).

I may not have had any true nostalgia for this particular version, but Tetris for the Nintendo Game Boy is definitely a classic game and its simple concept has allowed it to stand up even to today. Many forms of Tetris are available for a wide variety of platforms, even on mobile phones and nearly every major console since its release; in fact, a brand new Tetris game, called Tetris Ultimate, is due for release later this year on next-gen consoles and PC. If you plan on playing this particular version and have not already, I would recommend doing so on a Game Boy Advance SP (or a compatible DS if you have one), since the system has a proper backlight that its older brethren lacked (proper lighting makes all the difference). However, no matter what version of the game you decide to play, you are still playing Tetris.

2011 - The Highlights (Tetris_King)

2012 is just around the corner, so this is a perfect time to reflect on some of the best and worst releases of 2011. Included is a list of what I liked and didn't like out of my experiences this year, with some added links to the full reviews elsewhere on the blog. Keep in mind that what I list is not in any set order.

Top Movies of 2011

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

It feels sort of obligatory for me to include this, but I really enjoyed this movie as a Transformers fan. The special effects are better than ever, the 3D was spectacular, and there was some nice pacing to the action that eats up about half the movie. It still wasn't my favorite movie this year, but I definitely felt it was exciting, unlike Revenge of the Fallen from two years ago.

Hugo

As an adaptation of a book, this movie does a fantastic job, enough to let it stand on its own. Its theme of older movies is handled quite nicely, mainly in the way it revolves around the life and works of Georges Méliès, and it also gives a nice emotional story that is very unforgettable. The 3D adds a sense of depth to the environments, as well as some of the scenes themselves, and sometimes it's really cool to see very intricately placed automaton parts work in motion.

The Artist

In an era where every movie has sound and most have some sort of special effects, The Artist is unique in that it is a black and white silent movie much like those from the early days of the medium. There is plenty of time to get to know and feel for the characters in this movie, and some scenes can even make you cry because you are given time to care. Though most modern film-goers probably wouldn't be caught dead watching this film, it is one that you have to see if you appreciate the era that this pays homage to.

Top Games of 2011

Portal 2

The original Portal is a very interesting, not to mention fun, puzzle game, and the sequel truly ups the ante. More complex puzzles, new gameplay elements, humorous characters, fantastic music, and the ability to play together with someone else across systems really add to the experience and make it one of the best games this year. This is especially a must for puzzle gamers to witness for themselves.

God of War Origins Collection

The God of War games have been consistently good thus far, and this collection of two PSP games is no exception. Even though the only major differences are shinier graphics and a more dedicated dodge command, it feels nice to play them with a controller in hand on a bigger screen.

Top Disappointments of 2011

Alice: Madness Returns

This game was disappointing, if only due to some flaws. Ledges cannot be grasped, mid-air attacks are impossible, and some of the horror aspect becomes a little generic as the game progresses. Still, while it does not hold up to its predecessor, this sequel provides a solid, worthwhile experience.

Thor (in 3D)

The movie itself isn't too bad, just the awful 3D that bogged down my theater experience. It was difficult to see exactly what was going on in several scenes, particularly when there was any fighting on another world. Hopefully I'll have a better experience once I watch it again on Blu-ray.

Cars 2

This is quite possibly the worst movie I've seen from this year. The plot is made of nearly every spy movie on the planet, it's filled with national stereotypes, and the character we hear for most of the movie is practically unbearable. What's made even worse is that this abomination to cinema was made by Pixar, a very highly respected animation studio with an impressive track record up to this point. It seems rather obvious that this movie was made just to sell toys, which is rather sad, though unlike Transformers 3 which had a similar intent, this one is severely lacking in thrills.

Honorable Mentions of 2011 (Things I Did Not Review, But Deserve Mention)

Yu-Gi-Oh! 3D: Bonds Beyond Time

As a Yu-Gi-Oh! fan, I really enjoyed this movie. Sure, there are some logical fallacies here and there, but it was still amazing to watch the 3D make all the monsters pop right out at you. Even if you see this movie and don't like it, it's at least a vast improvement over 2004's Yu-Gi-Oh!: The Movie.

Tetris (PS3)

Tetris is a game that is pretty much expected to appear on any gaming platform nowadays, and this recent addition to the series doesn't disappoint. I have yet to dip into the multiplayer aspect of this version, but I can say that while it isn't too much different than its PSP counterpart, this game can easily provide hours upon hours of addictive fun.