Tetris Worlds
Score: 95% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: THQ Developer: THQ Media: Cartridge/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Puzzle
Graphics & Sound: Graphics isn't a word usually synonymous with a Tetris game, but a lot has been done to make Tetris Worlds a step above the others. The first thing that glares at you are the new backgrounds. I was shocked to see a deer walk across my screen when I was playing for the first time, but it happened. Instead of the bland, one color backgrounds of the past, Tetris Worlds features colorful hi-res stills with sprite characters moving around. The backgrounds all follow themes such as forest, underwater, outer space and more. I, of course, welcome the new backgrounds with open thumbs, but they were a little distracting before I got used to them. Other than that, there isn't really any graphical zest to Tetris Worlds. The blocks look the same as in the past, but all together that isn't a bad thing. If you think about it, there isn't really anywhere to improve the graphics other than the backgrounds. All I can think of is maybe adding a little flashing lens flare or explosions when you get a line. But then again, it isn't really that big a deal. While it's usually for the better to make changes to the graphics and gameplay in a remake of a game, sound can be left the same as a sign respect to gamers - more specifically, the music. When the new Spy Hunter came out there was a remix of Henry Mancini's Theme from Peter Gun much to the delight of gamers everywhere. Everyone remembers the songs from the original Tetris, but when I heard them in Tetris Worlds, it churned up feelings of nostalgia and brought a tear to my eye. The new versions aren't a carbon copy of the originals though, and you can notice that the tracks sound fuller and a little more on the techno side. All of the other sounds are the standard fare except for the sound when you get a Tetris (four lines at one time). The *bwee-ka-bweek-rouw* noise was like a victory chime proclaiming to everyone on the subway that you were a Tetris god, but sadly it is missing from Tetris Worlds.
Gameplay: There are only a few changes in the gameplay of Tetris Worlds from the original Tetris. You still have to stack progressively faster moving blocks to create lines, which are then eliminated for points. While in Tetris Worlds that is still the same goal, changes have been made to help you along. The first thing that you'll notice is the ghost piece on the bottom of the screen. This ghost piece is an outline of the piece that is currently being played. As you move and rotate the piece, you can look at the ghost on the bottom and see where it would best fit. Another change (and a very welcome one at that) is the ability to store a piece. We all know what it is like to suffer the agony of waiting for one of the straight pieces, but now when you get one that you don't need, you can simply tap a button and send it to the side for later use. You might also notice that the segments of the pieces are colored now too. In the new Sticky Mode, when two segments of the same color come in contact, the segments fuse together allowing you to eliminate pieces in different ways. Besides Sticky Mode, other new modes of play include Cascade, which allows segments to fall after making a line, and Fusion where you have to clear a row of Atom Blocks. There are also Hot-Line, Square and Regular Modes of play. In my opinion, the new modes can be fun to try out but the rules for some of them are hard to understand, and you usually end up playing like normal anyway. Think of it this way - even if you don't touch the new gameplay modes, you still get a great looking, tight playing Tetris game.
Difficulty: If you have even seen a Game Boy before, you know how the difficulty of Tetris Worlds works. As you get more lines, the pieces start coming faster which in turn makes it more and more difficult to place them. In the past, after beating level 10 the game would end, but now the speed goes up to level 15. I don't know if the speeds are proportional to each other (i.e. level 10 Tetris = level 15 Tetris Worlds), but I do know that level 15 is manageable for an advanced player, just as level 10 of the original was manageable. The new modes are for the most part fair, but because you sometimes have to get lines in different ways, a game can last longer.
Game Mechanics: Mechanically Tetris Worlds is exactly the same as the original except for the addition of the piece saver system. But since the piece saver is used by the shoulder buttons, the controls don't change. You don't have to worry about saving or loading and there aren't any weird control combinations. My 8 year old sister (first timer) and my 59 year old grandma (seasoned vet) were both able to play the game at their own speed and have a fun time doing it. Tetris Worlds is one of the few family games that is enjoyable for the entire family. My sister who likes Monsters, Inc., my brother who is a Devil May Cry fiend and my parents whose gaming experience is limited to Solitaire all loved Tetris Worlds. Truly the only family game. What Guys Thinks: We all know that Tetris is the one game to have on a deserted island. With Tetris Worlds, you get much more than the original. The ghost piece and piece saver may sound like small things, but they really add to the game. One reason that Tetris Worlds gets such a high score is the fact that everyone can play it. That, and the fact that there is an unlimited replay value too. Also, the new backgrounds are a lot of fun. Oh! I forgot about the new play modes. Well, I guess the one reason for the high score is the fact that Tetris Worlds is a total improvement in all areas over the past version.
-Joe Guys, GameVortex Communications AKA Joe Labani
Monsters, Inc. Madden 2002