Tetris Forever Review

Initial release date: November 12, 2024

Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Series X and Series S

Genres: Puzzle, Action game, Casual game

Developers: Digital Eclipse, Blue Planet Software, Tose, Spike Chunsoft

Publisher: Digital Eclipse

I believe the terms “legendary” and “iconic” are used a little too much these days. Sure, we’ve had lots of excellent games in recent years, but for something to garner that degree of praise, it must have lasting power, in my humble view.

Based on this, I can confidently conclude that Tetris Forever, Digital Eclipse’s latest Gold Master Series selection, fulfills the bill. In fact, I’m not sure how they’ll top that moving ahead.

Journey through the history of Tetris

I’m referring to the intriguing phenomena Tetris. Alexey Pajitnov created the brilliant game of fitting colored blocks together behind the Iron Curtain in 1984, and it has been running strong for 40 years. The basic but addictive gameplay has crossed age, gender, and pretty much every platform available, making it a definitive gaming classic. Given all of this, what does Digital Eclipse have in store for us in Tetris Forever?

It turned out to be quite a treat. The main narrative mode, which begins in the USSR and spans five chapters, is the greatest way to immerse yourself in Tetris’ story. It’s a truly extraordinary story, so much so that a Hollywood picture was released last year to critical acclaim. You can play any of the games from the library whenever you want, but I recommend starting with the interactive story mode.

Tetris Forever contains approximately 90 minutes of documentary video and interviews with several of the key characters, including Henk Rogers and the main guy, Alexey Patijnov. You are carefully escorted through the rich and varied history step by step, with video snippets, images, and vintage adverts from the collection interspersed to bring it all to life.

However, maybe the most appealing feature is that Tetris Forever includes more than 15 playable games, including a brand new entry created specifically for the occasion. You can play everything from a faithful reconstruction of the original game, which was released on the Soviet Electronika 60 Computer, to sequels that included the interesting Bombliss game, among other changes to the classic gameplay. This variant on the Tetris technique included exploding blocks as well as a cascading effect. There are also a variety of modes to play, such as challenges in which you have a limited number of movements to clean the well. Consider it an early version of Bejeweled.

Have you ever played this version?

Other examples are Hatris and an early version of the deceptively complex, ancient abstract strategy board game Go. As the title suggests, Hatris confronts you with stacking heaps of matching hats to clear the playing field. It’s weird and amusing for a time, but it can’t compete with Tetris’ addictive power. Go is a different beast entirely. The goal of the game is to surround the opposing player’s counters in order to capture them. It appears simple, but is surprisingly complex, and the superb AI is difficult to beat. It’s definitely a novelty, but it’s a fascinating addition to the collection.

Many of these ports and sequels were only accessible in Japan, and many of them successfully recreate Tetris’ compelling allure. Tetris Forever includes several distinct ports of what is essentially the same game to help tell the story, however this reduces the game count slightly.

Not every game in this collection is (or was) a hit. However, in order for Tetris Forever to provide a complete history of the franchise, all are included and are worth a look, even if you will revisit some more than others.

This is where it becomes evident that Tetris Forever is designed for Tetris aficionados of all ages, from casual to hardcore. The game has such a deep history that almost anyone may learn something here. However, if Tetris is not your thing, there aren’t many other options.

Tetris Forever is more than simply a glitzy repackaging, thanks to the inclusion of Tetris Time Warp. It begins as a modern take, but as specific Tetriminos drop and are cleared, you are sent back in time to an earlier edition of the game and must complete a challenge against the clock. There’s something amazing about being transported to different gaming eras at random while frantically attempting to perfectly stack your Tetriminos. Tetris Time Warp is a festive spin on the classic formula that highlights Tetris’ vast and diverse history over the years. You can even play with pals, each going to a separate era as the four-way turmoil unfolds.

A fitting tribute.

Each game in Tetris Forever allows you to tweak the visual effects and remap the controls. I’d recommend this because previous games required you to use a directional input to rotate your block. It’s far more comfortable to hit a single button, as shown in later releases, and the control scheme flows much more smoothly this way.

In general, the Game Boy version of Tetris is regarded as the best version ever published. Personally, my fondest recollections are of Tetris DS, which I sank many hours into. This was especially true in the early days of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection, when it offered online play as well as a variety of themed gameplay modes. Unfortunately, these games are not included in this collection, but the Famicom release of Tetris is, which is practically the same game as the Game Boy version.

Tetris Forever is a worthy tribute to the puzzle game colossus, which is now a well-known brand in its own right. The trip down memory lane will keep you entertained for several hours, especially if you try each variant of Tetris that appears. Even long-time fans of the series are likely to find something fresh in there.

Tetris Forever is a gorgeously designed, totally interesting, and unexpectedly instructional love letter to one of the most important video games ever made, flaws and all.

Review Overview

Gameplay: 90%

Controls: 88%

Aesthetics: 80%

Content: 85%

Accessibility: 87%

Value: 89%

Overall: 87%

A TIMELESS CLASSIC, EVOLVED FOR MODERN PLAYERS!

Summary:

“Tetris Forever” breathes new life into the classic puzzle game, with dynamic modes and enhanced visuals that keep the familiar gameplay fascinating for both new and experienced players. With responsive controls and classic mechanics, it maintains Tetris’ addictive challenge, while additional modes offer layers of complexity and strategy. Enhanced accessibility features make it easy for everyone to get started, and the game’s streamlined visual appeals without detracting from the main experience. Tetris Forever succeeds on its promise, combining an enduring classic with new innovations that allow for limitless replayability.