Tetris Worlds (PS2)
Publisher: THQ Developer: Blue Planet
First of all, I must start by saying that if you've never played a Tetris game before, (Have you been living in a cave?) there is one thing you should know before starting. Tetris is VERY addictive, and you will find that the hours pass quickly while playing. You should only start playing if you have the time... That having been said, let's move on!
Since Tetris became popular on the Game Boy in 1989, there have been several variations to hit the shelves, none of which can compare to the original. While this game isn't the as perfect as the first, it is a worthy spawn. Other game sites might have totally bashed this game, but I've found most of what they're saying to be not true. The first thing I can say about it is this: Play it more than once. I know first impressions of a game are important, but when you spend the first ten minutes complaining about how it's not like the original, you tend to lose your focus.
After getting through the initial complaints about how I didn't like the game, picked it up a few hours later and played again... ... for three hours. If you're an avid Tetris fan like I am, you can easily play Tetris Worlds for 45 minutes or more without getting a ''Game Over'' message. (I've managed to go more than 2 hours... That's considerably longer than most other Tetris games.) Overall, I now seem to find myself spending a few hours playing it everyday. Let's move on to the specifics.
Gameplay: 9
The gameplay is excellent. It's basically the same Tetris with a few new twists added. New versions including Hot-Line Tetris, Fusion Tetris, and Cascade Tetris are all ways to play the same game, but are scored differently. For instance, in Hot-Line Tetris, scoring only counts for lines cleared on the ''Hot-Lines'' on the matrix. Any other line will count for nothing. Other modes have Tetris pieces breaking off and falling to fill holes. It's a little more difficult to judge your drops, but that just adds a little extra challenge to the game. I personally prefer the classic mode, but other ones are nice for a change of pace.
First of all, the scoring system is different in Tetris Worlds. Instead of an actual score, you're only shooting for a certain number of lines to level up. Bonuses are added for multiple line clears, and for various other things.
The control is simplistic as always, with only one new button to remember. There is now a ''Hold'' area in Tetris Worlds. You can place a piece there by using one of the L1,L2,R1,R2 buttons, and retrieve it the same way. This comes in handy when you want to hold a piece such as the straight line. As most Tetris players know, you never have a line when you need one. Well, now you do. This feature is GREAT! It's also a nice feature to use when the piece dropping won't fit anywhere.
The other major feature added in Tetris Worlds is a ghost mode, which will help new players know where the piece will fit. I personally find it annoying and turn it off, but those new to the game will find it extremely helpful.
Graphics: 7
The graphics are what is to be expected for a puzzle game. Nothing flashy here, but it doesn't get old to look at the nice backgrounds.
Sound & Music: 7
Bad music is something that plagues many puzzle games, but Tetris World didn't give many problems. Personally, I thought the music was nice without being too repetitive. There is a little voice-over work from time to time, but there's nothing fancy.
Story: What story? It's a Tetris game!
Replay Value: 10
This is where Tetris World really shines. Will you replay this game? Yes. Whether it's for an hour, or several hours, you'll find yourself playing this game again and again.
To buy or to rent?
This depends on your point of view. If you're only interested in the original Tetris or Tetris DX, then you might rent this title first. If however, you've liked any variations of this title before, then this will definitely be a nice addition to your collection.
Overall: 8
Overall, the game has the nice feel of the old school Tetris games, with some new twists to keep it fresh. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who's a fan of the franchise.
Additional Information:
Genre: Puzzle
Players: 1-4
Memory Required: 40K
Rating: E (for Everyone)
Extras: None
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