Tetris Effect: Linking analysis - rhythmic block-rock
Our Verdict
Beautiful visuals, a stellar soundtrack, a plethora of great modes, all wrapped around one of the most mechanically perfect video games ever made, Tetris Effect: Connected is an essential puzzle game and a perfect match for anyone with the OLED Switch.
Tetris is something I never would have imagined to put on a list of things that have made me weep, like puppies, delicious desserts, The Pokémon Movie, and reliving the last season of Game of Thrones. I have to do some organizing now, however. The Tetris Effect: AssociatedI wasn't prepared for the fascinating, brilliant, and very emotional trip that takes me on as it brings the classic puzzler to life. All the while, this is a fantastic rendition of one of the greatest video games ever made.
Tetris Effect was first published as Tetris Effect, but it currently goes by the name "Connected" and has a number of multiplayer modes (more on them later). Renowned producers Tetsuya Mizuguchi and Takashi Ishihara created the game, which is meant to be experienced as a whole.
Rhythm-based and visually stunning puzzle games are definitely in vogue, as seen by their prior production credits on Rez, Meteos, Lumines, and Child of Eden. Tetris Effect is no exception, at times functioning almost as an experience rather than a game. Journey is the name of the single-player game, which consists of a sequence of more difficult Tetris boards, each having a unique theme in terms of both music and graphics.
Journey has a changing backdrop, corresponding whirling particle effects, and theme-appropriate tetrominoes—yes, that's what they're called—that you drop. In a level with an ocean theme, the tetrominoes are made of a liquid aquatic blue, and every time you clear a line, dolphins jump out of the water. In a level with a desert theme, they are formed of sand. In another, they are made of gems. It's amazing, visually beautiful, and captivating content.
The most notable distinction is that every tetromino drop, twist, or movement on stage is accompanied by a corresponding sound. These complement the already energetic soundtrack by being in time and key with it. If you've ever played Lumines, you most likely already know the answer. This interactive component enhances the Tetris Effect: Above a simple puzzle game, connected into a fantastic experience. It's simple to lose yourself in the beauty of each moment, and playing Tetris and feeling in charge of the music and effects surrounding each stage makes for a really pleasant and captivating gaming cycle.
Another new feature is the Zone, which lets you slow down gameplay and attempt to clear as many lines as you can by creating a zone at the bottom of the board that lights up with each line. You may use this function by building up your meter. It's a terrific technique to escape from difficulties and gives the game a little more strategy, so it's not simply the standard Tetris with pretty effects.
As you go through the Journey mode, there are a ton of additional amazing boards, some really nice tone and energy changes, and something very spectacular at the very end. Depending on your Tetris prowess, you may breeze through it in a short amount of time, but this is an experience best enjoyed again. Fortunately, the various difficulty settings allow you to do so with happiness. This is something I could definitely come back to once a year or whenever I want to unwind. Even a theater mode is available if all you want to do is kick back and take in the performance.
The Effect Modes, a collection of solo tasks you may explore to your heart's delight, come next. You may play games made to embody concentration, relaxation, and other concepts since they are divided according to mood. It's a good method to break things up, to be honest, since it's pleasant to dive into a light task and take a little break. In the meanwhile, the Adventurous region offers a variety of challenging game modes, like mystery (where random effects appear), purify (where Dark Blocks are removed), and many more. This is essentially a gigantic Tetris game that you can play in about any manner you can think of. There are even more incentives to return since you may gain experience to unlock music and avatars.
The vast array of available variants effectively illustrates what Tetris means to many players. Some players want to play at a fast pace from the start, pursue high scores, and enjoy the rush of a well-executed T-Spin. However, Tetris Effect: Connected also encourages you to take your time and enjoy the game. It's pleasant to realize how much video games can help us relax, especially with so many modes available. For a time, I lost myself in the Relax modes and relished the various tunes while I focused on cleaning lines.
With an abundance of options for playing jointly or against friends and random opponents, multiplayer gaming continues to be giving. In the excellent cooperative mode of Connected, you face off against an AI opponent alongside two other players. The harder it becomes to beat them, the faster you have to work to clear enough lines, and the harder it gets. The fact that all three players' Tetris boards merge into one enormous board when the music reaches a fever pitch and that blocks may be placed wherever is a fantastic addition to this specific game. All of a sudden, you have to cooperate and use your best judgment, which is a fantastic addition to an already fantastic mode.
The last mode is competitive multiplayer, which offers a variety of score-attack alternatives in addition to more conventional head-to-head contests where the goal is to knock out the other player. Even though I've played Tetris 99 and its crazy variants a lot with friends, Tetris Effect: Connected gives such a unique gameplay experience that I can definitely see myself playing these modes again and again. A couple buddy matches were an incredible experience as well, with the amazing dynamic music and graphics adding an additional touch of flair to an already amazing game.
I could talk about mechanics all day, but in the end, this is Tetris, and you already know if you like Tetris, therefore I want to wrap up the presentation. This game was originally designed with virtual reality in mind, as seen by its unique aesthetic and nonstop spinning particle effects. It was originally developed for the PlayStation 4. However, it suits the Switch well, and I expect that anybody who is fortunate enough to have obtained the OLED Switch would find it to be an ideal match. Many of the backdrops are pitch-black with sporadic bursts of color to match the rhythm, so the screen will dramatically contrast them to life.
The game played smoothly for virtually all of my gameplay, and my enjoyment was never stopped. The graphics are stunning in every level, and although the Switch may sometimes struggle to keep up with every single particle on screen, causing some slight chugging. It's undoubtedly not as fluid as the PS4 version, and the graphics have suffered a little, but given how much of the game is focused on the main Tetris level, I don't think a little loss in clarity is too much to ask for in exchange for portable play.
It's also important to note that Tetris Effect: Connected is a game that revolves on music, and the soundtrack is incredible. One of the greatest soundtracks I've ever heard, it's almost worth the price of ticket on its own. I will be thinking about the lovely, ethereal main theme for weeks, and all of the songs in Journey mode were excellent. Certain songs are more memorable than others, particularly those that crescendo to monumental moments synchronized with the graphics, where the level's theme and color change in real time with your gameplay and score.
The video game Tetris Effect: Connected is amazing. It's jam-packed with modes, has some amazing cooperative gaming options, and has one of the greatest audio/visual packages I've ever used. Though I doubt many would ever notice, playing handheld on the OLED seems like such a natural match that compromises have to be made to get it all working on Switch. This is one of the greatest puzzle games on the Nintendo Switch right now and a must-buy if you like Tetris, puzzle games, or even rhythm games in any way.