It ain't broke, but they fixed it anyway

I'm not gonna lie, I'm not great at Tetris. Tetris Effect originally drew me in as a gorgeous VR experience, but once I got started I enjoyed trying my hand at beating the solo campaign. I was a bit unsure of what to expect from the new multiplayer update, Connected (which is free if you already own the base game, by the way), but I can?? tell you, even for someone lik??e me who lacks a certain skill level, it's a blast to play.

There are four game modes in the update. The most simple of these are the Score Attack modes, of which there are two. In just plain 'ol Score Attack, you're playing head-to-head with standard Tetris Effect rules in place,?? but no Line Attacks are exchanged. Who?ever has the highest combined score after two rounds wins.

Tetris Effect: Connected (Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Oculus Quest [reviewed])
Developer: Resonair, Monstars, Stage Games
Publisher: Enhance, Sony Interactive Entertainment
Released: August 17, 2021
MSRP: $39.99

Then there's Classic Score Attack, which has the same setup, only it's old-school Tetris rules: no hard dropping, no holding, only one piece shown in the queue, etc. The regular Score Attack is a good option if you're looking for "single-player competitive Tetris," while Classic is? pretty brutal, and it's the rules players use at pro competitions.

Zone Battle is another fun addition to the traditional Tetris experienc??e. It's another one-on-one format, but it also incorporates the time-stopping Zone mechanic from the single-player. If you ??enjoyed that part of the base game, definitely give this mode a shot.

For me, though, Connected Mode was the star of the show. ??You and two other players go up against AI bosses, and every so often, all three of your boards will combine into one big one, and you take turns dropping blocks, trying to clear as many lines as possible. That, in turn, deals damage to the boss.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2czq3SAbGw

If you "die" in this mode (the official term is "Tap Out," I learned recently), your teammates can revive you if they play well enough. I had to play online because unfortunately none of my friends have Tetris Effect (at l?east that I'm aware of), but I can imagine some of my buddies would love to pl?ay Connected Mode together.

There is both local and online play with friends though, in addition to the "play with strangers" thing. Tetris Effect: Connected is also cross-platform and uses a room code to get everyone hooked up, so there are plenty of options if your squad plays Tetris together for fun.

Just when you thought that's it, there's more too. That's right, there's bonus features! This includes the highly requested Spectator Mode, which allows between four and six additional players to watch from the sidelines. PAL Mode is also a new addition, which replicates the feeling of the European PAL format from the NES Tetris?????????????????????????? game, so you get a lower framerate, faster horizontal movement, and faster dropping speed. On the flip side, we also got a Slow Speed Mod?e, and that's exactly what it sounds like. Plus there are performance vs. fidelity options, so you can customize your play experience exactly how you want it.

Just like other multiplayer games, Connected also has Tiers and ??Skill Ratings. You get an individual SR for each mode, and then whichever Tier you're in is determined by all of those SRs combined. You win SR points if you win a game, you lose SR points if you lose. Bob's your uncle.

Match length depends on which mode you're in, as well as how good you are. The Zone Battle and Score Attack modes can basically go on for as long as you and your opponent can keep from "Tapping Out," but I f??ound the Connected mode to be a bit longer. No game went on for more than maybe twenty minutes at most, though. The ?wait times weren't bad at all to get into games either, which was another plus.

That's all of the logistics finally out of the way, so now let's talk about game feel. What do you expect? Tetris Effect felt amazing to play from the start, so the base was already the????re to have some really compelling multiplayer versions.

At the end of the day, it's Tetris. We're not reinventing the wheel here, but that's not a bad thing in the slightest. If you love Tetris, you'll love this multiplayer. The sound and visuals are stunning, and ?the new game mod?es put a fresh new take on a classic that are worth trying in and of themselves.

It's already a given that competitive players are going to have fun with this, especially when there are multiple variations of traditional Tetris gameplay. If you're someone like me who's a bit more chill, though, I ??promise you will still have a great time with this game. I especially recommend trying out the Connected Mode if you're a more laid-back player, too, because there's more leeway there.

I thought I had seen it all with Tetris 99, so I'm really impressed to see how the brand keeps moving forward and giving us new things to try out. I'm not sure how the hardcore Tetris mast?ers are going to feel a??bout this one, but for a casual fan like me, this is about as good as it gets.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by the publisher.]}

The post Review: Tetris Effect: Connected appeared first on Destructoid.

It will also launch on Steam the same day

The world of Tetris Effect is becoming more connected. A free update to Tetris Effect will bring current owners into Tetris Effect: Connected on Aug. 18, coinciding with the trippy Tetris' launch on Steam.

The free update to all existing versions of Tetris Effect adds the co-op and competitive multiplayer modes highlighted in the Connected update that was, previously, on just Windows 10 and Xbox consoles. That's Connected, Zone Battle, Score Attack, and Classic Score Attack, which all sound like a pretty alright time.

Tetris Effect: Connected will also be truly connected, as in, cross-platform play will be available between the Steam, PlayStation 4, Epic Games Store, Oculus Quest, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Windows 10 versions ??of the game. There ?are also some bonus features coming, like a new Spectator Mode, PAL and "Slow" speed modes. Oculus Quest 2 headsets also get a performance vs. fidelity option, and PS4 copies will be available to Remote Play.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT2TfOoNlrs

Essentially, it's a lot of Tetris that's on the way. This is a game that's quite literally stood the test of time, though 2018's Tetris Effect felt like an amazing new take on it. It's cool to see all the Connected options and updates finally ro??lling out to other ?versions of the game.

If you pick Tetris Effect: Connected up on Steam too, there are a few bonus goodies for those who have held out for so long. Some Tetris Effect-themed avatars and wallpapers will be available, as well as a seven-track soundtrack sampler by Hydelic, a previous pre-order bonus for the game on PS4 and Epic. So yes, if you're like me, reading that means you're probably already opening up the soundtrack in whatever audio streaming service you have and listening to it again.

The Tetris Effect: Connected update goes l?ive on Aug. 18 for all available versions.

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Not that I needed a reason to dip back into Tetris Effect,?? but if I did, this would be it: a deviously hidden 1984 level that can be unlocked with a code and a keyboard.

The best bit: the secret 1984 variant has been hiding in plain sight. If you're the type of person whose YouTube feed is filled with all things Tetris, you very well might've run across it before, but otherwise, it's probably new to you too. In honor of World Tetris Day, two of Tetris Effect's secret stages got an official signal boost from The Tetris Company.

As a refresher, the secret 1989 level theme can be unlocked permanently if you rank up your Tetris Effect player profile to level 5?0. Yeah, yeah �you know. But what about 1984?

Unlocking 1984 in Tetris Effect with a controller and keyboard

To unlock this level, you'll need to enter the following inputs on the Tetris Effect title screen: Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, O, X (on a PlayStation ?controller) or Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A (on an Xbox or Oculus controller).

If you entered this ic??onic sequence correctly, you'll see a strange new screen that looks like something out of? an ARG.

Next, you'll need to use a keyboard: type in the code "06??061984" and?? hit enter. You should then see a notice that "1984" is unlocked �it's a one-time process.

And if you happen to have an Xbox Chat??pad, that'll work too.

Here's the payoff:

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OMOIaq_VMQ

As you can see from this gameplay captured by YouTube user Sar, Tetris Effect's 1984 level is lo-fi as heck �and if you play our cards right, it'll go nuts with colors and?? e?ffects.

The secret stage is meant to be a "tribute to the original version of Tetris for the Electronika 60, the old Soviet PC Alexey Pajinov first created? the game on."

Really cool, right? I think I can ?actually be bothered to untangle my keyboard from my whole desk... situation to unlock 1984 on my PS4. Wish me luck.

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Three-player co-op boss fights are the highlight

Whether you're a first-time Tetris Effect player or you're showing up for the new timed-exclusive multiplayer modes, Tetris Effect: Connected is worth checking out – especially with Xbox Game Pass.

Aside from the original Tetris Effect story campaign and the objective-based Effect modes that I've been raving about for two years now, with Connected, you're also getting a multiplayer suite. The new package is $40 on Windows 10 and Xbox consoles (including Xbox Series X/S), and Enhance has committed to a free update in "summer 2021" for Tetris Effect owners on PS4, PC, and Oculus Quest.

So, what are the modes? There are three head-to-head modes – Zone Battle, Score Attack, and Classic Score Attack – along with the namesake Connected mode, a three-player-vs.-one-AI-boss mode.

Out of those versus modes, Zone Battle feels the freshest – it's all about clearing lines to build up attacks and then either strategically defending against or negating your foe's attacks as much as possible by knowing when to enter the Zone to clear out junk. Score Attack is ?a one-on-one high-score b??attle, and once a player taps out, the other player has two extra minutes to cement their score.

Classic Score Attack works much the same way, albeit with a retro visual style, "stiffer" controls/rules, and a more back-to-basics approach to Tetris. You can't do Hard Drops ??and there isn't a Hold Queue.

I'm not so sure I'll stick with any of these long-term – I'm not that cut out for them – but I am very invested in Connected mode. In short, you'll fight a series of (progressively harder) AI-controlled Zodiac Bosses with an assist from two other (human or AI) players. At first, your team's play fields are totally separate, but as you clear lines and build up your shared meter, the three fields will temporarily merge into one. At that point, it's an all-out race. You'll take turns rapidly dropping pieces one after another in hopes of clearing as many lines as possible to send an avalanche hurtling toward the boss.

Connected mode is definitely chaotic and even stressful at first, but with practice, I started to feel more comfortable with the flow. (The music cues help.) In an attempt to make co-op Tetris fun and not maddening, you'll get occasional purple pieces that can ??push down and "correct" bad placements.

It wasn't live for testing yet, but there's also a Connected Vs. mode in which a human player can stand in for the AI boss. That'll be playable during 24-hour "Full Moon" events during weekends.

The multiplayer modes have their own fancy-looking space hub that feels right at home in Tetris Effect (take a minute to fly around and explore it) and player progression uses a tier system "based on an ag??gregate of your skill rating in all the different modes" as it rises and falls with each win or loss.

Curiously, the game hints that "as you move up tiers, you'll also move ever closer to the mysterious obelisk radiating from the c?enter of the galaxy: the Tetrimidion." As for me? I just wanna unlock avatars.

If you're super competitive, there's a Ranked match option; otherwise, you can stick with Friend matches or Local matches against the AI. ?That goes for all multiplayer modes, too. You can set the AI's comp?etency, so if you're struggling against the tougher Zodiac fights, you can crank up the AI partners.

I don't necessarily think the new Connected content exceeds anything that was already in Tetris Effect, but after a couple of hours (with the Windows 10 version), the multiplayer modes do live up to expectations. This is an all-around excellent package for new players, and it'll be a fantastic free update for returning PS4 and Steam Tetris Effect players next summer. We're all together in this life.

_{[These impressions are based on a retail build of the game played via Xbox Game Pass on PC.]}

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Another Brick in the Wall

Xbox-owning fans of the mind-trippin' Tetris Effect will have reasons to be cheerful today, as publisher Enhance Games has launched a brand new edition of the PS5 VR puzzler, which is available to purchase on Xbox? One??, Xbox Series X, and PC via Xbox Game Pass.

Tetris Effect: Connected is described as a "robust multiplayer expansion" which takes single-player modes such as Tetris Zone and re-imagines them for head-to-head multiplayer action. The titular "Connected" mode allows for three players to connect their individual Tetris playfield??s and work as a team to brings down the blocks in perfect synchronicity.

Unfortunately, it seems that other platforms will have to wait a little longer, as the Connected multiplayer expansion will not launch on PS4, PS5, Oculus Quest, or PC via Steam until the summer of 2021. It will, however, arrive as a free download for all Tetris Effect owners.

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Chill beats to maneuver tetriminos to

The next time you're in The Mood, you can easily throw on the Tetris Effect soundtra?ck – it's now officially streaming through B??andcamp, Spotify, and YouTube. That's nearly three hours of good vibes.

In a post about the soundtrack's production, Tetris Effect composer Hydelic explained the big idea.

"Mizuguchi-san (our producer) and Ishihara-san (our director and art director) expressed the idea of taking you on a journey through your mind, consciousness, and emotions. 'This is like zen Tetris,' they said. From there, I set the theme for the soun??d and music as elements that enhance your immersive experience or soothe, calm, and make you relax. Mizuguchi-san also emphasized 'timelessness' – sounds a??nd compositions that are not 'on-trend,' but can be appreciated for many years to come."

I can't hear the Tetris Effect soundtrack without picturing the individual levels, each of which has its own aesthetic – the music and visuals are that inseparable to me. The first level, Deep Sea, went through "over 10 music tracks" until the team arrived at "Connected (Yours Forever)." It was so worth it.

I'm pumped to have 🎵 Nothing can stop us. Nothing can stop us. We can touch the sky! 🎵 stuck in my head for the rest of the day. "Look Up" isn't my favorite track, but dan?g does it stick wi?th me.

[Bandcamp] [Spotify] [YouTube]

The post You can? add the Tetris Effect soundtrack to your? streaming rotation appeared first on Destructoid.

Another essential VR pick

[Update: Tetris Effect launched today for Oculus Quest with gamepad and Oculus Touch support. It's a fantast??ic game that's arguably even better in VR, so for $29.99, I wouldn't think twice.?]

The wait for Tetris Effect on Oculus Quest shouldn't be much longer if a now-removed Oculus Store listing proves to be accurate. Earlier today, (understandably) restless fans spotted a "coming soon" notice for the gorgeous puzzle game, and while it's no longer visible, a few screencaps still exist.

Tetris Effect has been available on PlayStation 4 since November 2018 and PC since July 2019. The latter version – an Epic Games Store exclusive &ndas?h; officially supports Oculus Rift and HTC Vive.

I don't necessarily expect every VR game to make it to every platform, but Tetris Effect i??s one of the greats – it's precious. It's up there as one of my fav??orite VR experiences. It needs to go far and wide.

Oculus Quest owners have co?nstantly wondered if and/or when it's coming to the platform. Hopefully this momentary store listing was just a tad premature and we're on the cusp of ??hearing a release date.

??Tetris Effect ?found in the coming soon section in the Quest Store [Reddit]

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Come follow me

If it were up to me, every Friday would be Free Theme Friday, a real and not at all made-up trend. Today's free PS4 dynamic theme hails from Tetris Effect, a lovely game that makes for a lovely theme.

Courtesy of YouTube user RenkaWong, here's?? how the theme loo??ks and (just as importantly) sounds.

The Metamorphosis theme is a callback to one of the most touching moments in the game – and no, if you haven't played Tetris Effect yet, that's not a joke. Mizuguchi knows how to?? cultivate emotion.

Gosh I love this game.

[Update??: Enhance says th??e free theme will make it over to Europe and Asia on November 21.]

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Yes, Ms. Morissette, this is ironic

[Update: In a comment given to Eurogamer, Tetris Effect developer Enhance has clarified that the Oculus version of the game does not require SteamVR's SDK. Despite Epic stating otherwise, this was a misunderstanding on the part of the publisher. Obviously the Vive version does (for the reason stated below), but you can play Tetris Effect without requiring Valve's software.]

From certain PC gamers, a collective sigh was let out when Tetris Effect was announced as an Epic Games Store exclusive. While I personally have no issue with that decision, this latest bit of news is kind of ironic. Since Tetris Effect has a VR mode and supports Oculus and Vive on PC, it actually requires you utilize Steam VR to play in this mode. We now have a scenario where the Epic Games Store requires software from Valve to run one of?? it??s games. Let that sink in.

While the official FAQ from Epic states that Oculus VR doesn't require Steam's API, the company confirmed to Dark Side of Gaming that is inaccurate. "Tetris Effect itself does not require Steam to run. However, Tetris Effect VR does require SteamVR, both on HTC Vive and Oculus," reads the statement. While it makes some sort of sense for Vive (which is endorsed by Valve), it's just hilarious to me that Epic is relying on ??software developed by Valve for one of its games.

Despite being an Epic Games Store exclusive, Tetris Effect VR requires SteamVR in order to run [Dark Side of Gaming]

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With VR support

Tetris Effect rules. It's one of the best Tetr??is games in years, VR or no VR, but it was only available ?on PS4 for the past eight months or so. Until now, that is.

Publisher Enhance has confirmed to Destructoid ?that the game will be coming to PC on July 23, exclusively on the Epic Games Store. It'll be one of the few VR-enabled games on the storefront, so it'll be keeping its VR capabilities from the PS4 edition. The PC port will sport 4K "or more" resolutions with an uncapped framerate, and sport ultra-wide monitor support with "graphical options not found in the console rele??ase" for 2D and VR play. Particle volume/size sliders, texture filtering, "and more" are hinted at from Enhance.

The game will be 20% off if you order it in the next two weeks, and will include digital deluxe DLC ("a seven-track sampler of the award-winning soundtrack by Hydelic and ten Tetris Effect themed 4K desktop wallpapers") for free. Again, this game rules, and if you aren't ??down with a particular storefront, t??he PS4 version isn't going anywhere.

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It's back but only for the weekend

Tetris Effect is such a treasure, and I hope everyone who hasn??'t taken a chance on it?? yet considers doing so soon. The limited-time demo is coming back on Friday, February 8 and it'll be playable until Monday, February 11. (Note: you'll need an online connection even though that isn't required in the full game.)

While the PS4 demo is active, you'll also be able to buy the game at 25 percent off.

Thi?s weekend t?rial includes three stages from the Journey campaign mode and two Effect modes: Marathon mode, in which you'll strive to clear 150 lines, and Mystery mode, in which game-altering modifiers are dished out at random including gigantic puzzle pieces and temporary screen flipping.

These selections are an all-around good sampling of what Tetris Effect has to offer. It's one of those games where playing is believing, so even if you've never been a Tetris die-hard, it's worth trying.

To put it into perspective, Tetris Effect hol??ds weekend events where the community plays specific modes?? to reach a collective point total. Even if I'm not always home to participate in these "rituals," I'm still thinking fondly about the game. It's been like that every single weekend since launch last November.

The mere thought of playing Tetris Effect puts me in a good mood. It's that uplifting.

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He got his chance with the fantastic Tetris Effect

In case you aren't aware, Tetsuya Mizuguchi is a legend. In addition to working on cult favorites like Space Channel 5, he also lent his talents to Rez, Lumines, and Meteos: three of the most recognizable rhythm games in existence. A recent interview in the latest issue of Game Informer brings some of his motivations to light and explains how badly he wanted to work on the Tetris franchise: something he only just got to do with 2018's Tetris Effect.

 Mizuguchi explains that he first came up with the drive to contribute to Tetris in a meaningful way "15 years ago," but "nothing happened at the time." He goes on to say that he was in contact with Henk Rogers, chairman of the Tetris Company, who Mizuguchi calls "a good friend." After a "long creative discussion" they hit it off, and thanks to Mizuguchi's work on Rez and Lumines, they came to an agreement.

Now that it's finally out, he had a few things to share on VR, a feature Tetris Effect uses prominently, noting that the concept as a whole is "still a baby." He expects a shift in the next "20 or 30 years" and credits the "limitless" potential of technology. Mizuguchi says the main reason why his team got the Tetris license (an act he said "wasn't easy") is that he was able to marry the concept of old (classic non-VR Tetris) and new (VR) to provide a unique experience? to as many peopl??e as possible.

I think he accomplis??hed that and man, knowing how long that journey took makes it that much ?sweeter of a story.

Moving to His Own Beat [Game Informer]

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Obligatory earworm warning

Every weekend from here on out, Tetris Effect players will gather together to play a few specified modes in hopes of reaching a collective point total to unlock a shiny new avatar. This went largely overlooked during the first Weekend Ritual event, but there's also a retro stage with the classic Tetris jingle.

According to producer Mark MacDonald, the 1989 skin is playable during the Weekend Ritual once players have met the ?point goal. Better yet, you can also permanently unlock it by ranking up your account to Level 50. The old-school theme is usable in any of the Effect modes with a stage select.

Here's some footage of "1989" in Quick Play:

Please excuse all the moments where it looks like my brain shuts off and I waffle before committing to a terrible piece placement. Sometimes you make bad moves. Fixing them is part of the fun of Tetris.

If you aren't playing Tetris Effect yet, maybe reconsider. It's phenomenal.

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So much more than falling blocks

How do you modernize an icon like Tetris? Simple: You leave the mechanics alone!

Tetris Effect is the same perfect puzzling we know and love, but so much care has gone into enhancing every other facet of the experience. It's Tetris by way of the folks responsible for games like Lumines and Rez Infinite. In short, it's beautiful. Every single level has its own fi??nely-tuned visual theme, sound effects, and music, and all of those elements exist solely to put you in your own little zen world.

I knew Tetris Effect would be ??good,? but I vastly underestimated just how engrossing it could be.

Tetris Effect (PS4, PlayStation VR)
Developer: Monstars Inc., Resonair
Publisher: Enhance
Released: November 9, 2018
MSRP: $39.99

I've always liked Tetris and its various offshoots, but I have never been anywhere near this?? obsessed with improving my scores. Part of that stems from the grading system, which feels tough but fair to an average-at-best player like me. Earn a C in one of the many side modes, and you won't want to rest until you've bumped that grade up to a B (then an A, and an S, and so on). Even if you come up short, you're still earning experience points for your profile every step of the way. While I fully recognize that it's a meaningless number attached to an avatar, damn does it feel good to see that XP bar fill up.

That positive reinforcement will keep you motivated, but the real draw is the satisfaction of stitching together falling puzzle pieces into a cohesive whole. Despite its lavish visuals, this is still a traditional Tetris game through and through. That said, Tetris Effect does have one trick up its sleeve: a new time-stopping Zone ability that can get you out of a jam or help you maximize your high-score potential. You can't spam it, and it's by no means a get-out-of-jail-free card. The Zone feels like a natural extension of Tetris. To make the most of it, you'll need to think multiple steps ahead and be ready to?? ??improvise.

The mechanic is also thematically appropriate. Tetris Effect is immersive in every sense of the word. The two dozen or so main story levels have themes ranging from tropical to urban to cosmic, and they aren't just pretty backgrounds. Every stage has custom visuals and sound effects for the puzzle pieces. As you clear lines, the scenery evolves. The music grows more complex. Your every input affects the audio and the visuals, almost as if you're creating a song through the simple act of playing Tetris. I can't undersell how satisfying this feels. It's electric. Tetsuya Mizuguchi??? fans will know precisely what I mean.

It goes without saying, but yes, this is all heightened in virtual reality. Tetris Effect is a must-have for PlayStation VR owners. You do lose some crispness compared to playing on a TV, but the way the world wraps around you in VR and further draws you ?into the experience more than makes up for ?it.

Don't feel like you have to own a headset to get the most out of the game, though. It's well worth the $??40 asking price even if you only intend to play on a normal screen. Aside from the aforementio??ned Journey mode, which is compelling enough to warrant revisiting multiple times over, there are numerous Effect modes. I've split my twenty hours of playtime evenly between the two offerings.

Effect modes include familiar reflex testers like Sprint (clear 40 lines), Marathon (clear 150 lines), and Ultra (a three-minute time trial). I'm under their constant spell. There are also mind-teasing modes centered around earning All Clears, amassing combos, and wiping individual blocks off the stage. Mystery mode will flip your screen upside?? down, hand out duplicate blocks, and generally do its best to mess with you. It's a real winner. Several of the Effect modes tread the exact same ground as the story levels, albeit with more of a relaxed approach; apart from them, everythi??ng has long-term appeal.

The final piece of the puzzle is the Weekend Ritual, a recurring 24-hour goal for the community to strive toward. If players collectively earn enough points in the designated modes each weekend, they'll unlock special avatars. You can see other players' avatars floating around a globe (I'm rocking a UFO!), and while it sounds cheesy, this helps instill a sense of togetherness. Tetris shouldn't be lonely.

Some people will be disappointed by the lack of competitive modes, and that's fair enough, but don't let their omission bring you down too much. Tetris Effect isn't intended to be a heated head-to-head sort of game. It's more sentimental. Whether you've loved Tetris since the '80s or you've ??never quite meshed with its status as an all-time classic, you should be able to find something to latch onto here. Seasoned players can tweak the settings just the way they like and tone down the visuals. Newcomers can crank up the extravagant effects and relish the whimsical atmosphere. Everyone wins.

_{[This review is based on a retail build of the game provided by th?e publisher.]}

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Unsurprisingly, it's stellar

Tetris Effect seems poised to cement itself as the go-to modern Tetris, and this weekend is your best bet to check it out before release. Enhance Games has put out a limited-time demo that's now live on PlayStation Network. It's just as mesmerizing as I hoped it would be knowing that Rez creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi was on board. After finishing Mara?thon Mode, I felt like I ha?d woken up from a coma.

This trial version is only playable until November 5, 2018, so even though it's a busy weekend with gargantuan games like Red Dead Redemption 2 vying for your time, try not to sleep on Tetris Effect. You'll have access to ??a few stages and modes, and yes, there's PlayStation VR support.

The classic puzzle mechanics are fine-tuned, the audio and visuals draw you into the zone, and there's also long-term progression and community hooks to keep the average player invested week to week beyond chasing high scores. We've seen so many half-baked Tetris games over the decades that put in the bare-minimum effort. By comparison, Tetris Effect feels like a loving tribute to an all-time great.

I'm confident the game will be a hit with critics, but I hope it also reso??nates with the mainstream.

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November 1 through 5

Tetris Effect is intriguing as hell. You have surrealism king Tetsuya Mizuguchi (Rez, Lumines, Child of Eden) mixed with Tetris with optional VR: ?what could go wrong? It'll arrive soon enough, but for the time being you'll be able to check out a timed demo this week.

Developer Resonair has announced that said demo will drop on the PlayStation Store on?? November 1, and will be available until November 5. It's called a "true limited-timed demo," which will be deactivated on November 5 and "will no longer be playable or available for download." Although that's cause for suspicion, they note that an online connection will not be required for the final game (phew).

The demo will sport 2D, 4K on PS4 Pro and VR, with three sta???ges of the (27 level) campaign and two "effect modes" (of 10). Resonair details the extra modes: marathon, which tasks you with earning the best score in 150 lines and mystery mode with random (good or bad) effects.

Tetris Effect arrives on November 9 exclusively on PS4.

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2018: A Make-More-Space Odyssey

While virtual reality still feels gimmicky to me - perhaps as a child of the '90s who just remembers Dactyl Attack all to well - there's no denying it maintains an allure that pulls in the people, if not a??lways the dollars. At EGX in Birmingham this weekend, there was a persistent throng of video game fans of all ages booking appointments to snap on the sweaty headset and travel into another world.

Various games were on offer at the PlayStation VR stand, from cyber-racer Wipeout Omega to cringey East-end gangstaaar shooter Blood and Truth. The appointmen??t schedule was consistently booked up, showing that even if the people aren't ??quite ready to stump up the cash for such an experience at home, curiosity about being one step closer to a Holodeck remains high.

Ironically, given the futuristic aesthetics of VR, I was only there to play a game which, at its base level - is as retro as you can get. Tetris Effect, currently in development at Japanese studio Resonair, is a game I've been intrigued by ever since it was quietly announced earlier this year, as I've always been a fan of the musical/ethereal genre, typified by games such as Vib-Ribbon, Rez, Child of Eden and Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakuel.

Tetris Effect isn't really a game that requires much explanation. Even the more recent variants of the famous block-busting puzzle title - such as Puyo Puyo Tetris or Tetris Battle - feature a more involved, conditional version of the game. No, Tetris Effect is Tetris at its most classic; the blocks fall, you shift and rotate them into place, completing lines will cause them to vanish, and if the screen fills up, you're done. It's been keepin?g people e??ntertained for decades, and it likely always will.

What Tetris Effect brings to the interstellar party are the beats, music and weird, trippy visuals to create an immersive environment from which you can commence your brick-laying battle plans. Upon kitting myself out with the PSVR kit and hitting Start, I was immediately thrust into the far reaches of space, with planet Earth jutting out just below (and admittedly almost making me hurl immediately... it's been a while since my last VR adventure). The playfield and all relevant information is secured center screen, while the surrounding space is filled with constellations of stars. No time to admire the view, however, I had L-blocks to place.

Pulsating beats and gentle rhythms play a big part in Tetris Effect's atmosphere, with even the movement and rotation of the blocks auto-tuned to fit in with the background music. Similar to games such as Zoe Mode's Chime, the musical composition builds as you complete lines, ?adding instruments and effects, and forming a crescendo as you pop out a full Tetris. As you progress, the constellations of stars form beautiful 3D shapes and creatures, such as dolphins, which then proceed to swim around the dark environment. This all sounds like it could be an irritating distraction, but the combination of smooth audio and hypnotic visuals are too attractive to be concerning.

After I ran out the clock on the first board, I performed a 2001-style starjump into the next stage, changing up not only the musical style, but also the visual aesthetic, which went from one of outer space to a style more Aztecian. Here, the difficulty also stepped up and, with my view drifting to the environment in wide-eyed whimsy, I made a series of dopey mistakes that ultimately led to my downfall. Curse you Tetris Effect for?? presenting a more inte??resting atmosphere than real life.

To be honest, my short time with the demo delivered exactly what I thought it would:  A basic game of Tetris accompanied by smooth tunes and out-there graphical effects. There's nothing particularly wrong with that. For a good 15 minutes or ??so I felt a pl??easurable disconnect from reality, playing a relaxing, nostalgic puzzle game while listening to cool music and swimming with space dolphins.

One thing that seems clear about this series entry is that it's hardly Grand Master. Tetris Effect seems to focus on providing players with the classic Tetris experience of the Game Boy-era, but presented in an audio/visual style that blasts them into another universe. While the hardcore fans may balk a little at that simplicity, the VR atmosphere is what counts here. And in that regard, Tetris Effect delivered, resulting in it being my favourite game of the e??ntire show.

Tetris Effect launches on PlayStation 4 on N??o?vember 9. Take the Trip.

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Launching November 9

When I close my eyes throughout the month of November, I'll have visions of falling blocks perfectly slotting together. Tetris Effect launches for PlayStation 4 and PlayStation VR on ??November 9, 2018.

I was on board the moment I heard this was a Tetris game from Rez and Lumines creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi. It's going to be an audio-visual experience through and through, and you just know the gameplay will be solid. I mean, it's Tetris! Beyond that, my PlayStation VR coul?d use some love??.

Tetris Effect is touting 30-some stages that change their sound and appearance as you play, mu??ltiple modes including Marathon, and a new mechanic. You'll be able to enter the Zone to stop time and either? save yourself from disaster or use your zen moment to pull off a huge score-raising maneuver.

We've seen a ton of so-so Tetris games in the past decade, but I'm feeling hopeful. This should be a great way to close out the rest of the year after big-name releases like Red Dead Redemption 2.

Enhance [Twitter]

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Block Rocking Beats

A new video has been uploaded featuring gameplay from the upcoming euphoric puzzler Tetris Effect, first revealed earlier this month as the new project from Rez creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi.

The four-minute video, taken by Japan's Game Watch, shows the gorgeous looking title in action, combining classic Tetris gameplay with dramatic imagery and music. It feels very similar in conception to Zoe Mode's Chime, another bl??ock-based puzzler where the ergonomics of the? play area built the soundtrack.

Tetris Effect will feature 30 stages, all attuned to their own specific style, aurally and visually. Classic modes such as Sprint and Marathon will be making a return, and Tetris Effect will also be compatible with PSVR, which I can? im?agine could be quite the transcendent experience.

Tetris Effect launches on PS4 this Fall.

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It looks like Lumines because Tetsuya Mizuguchi is involved

In a pleasant surprise, Sony has just revealed a brand new Tetris game for PS4/PSVR -- Tetris Effect. The moniker comes from the popular phenomenon that involves seeing blocks or puzzle sequences after you close your eyes, and what better person to herald in that concept than Tetsuya Mizuguchi -- creator of Lumines and other ambitious, trippy puzzle projects.

Sony noted that people will be getting their hands on it sooner than later as it is playable at E3, and in addition to a tentative 2018 release we'll get a demo eventually. Tetris Effect supports up t??o 4K60FPS visuals, and optional PSVR use -- yep, as is the deal with a lot of PSVR titles recently the hardware isn't required to play.

PlayStation [Twitch]

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