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The New Tetris |
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Tetris is the definitive puzzle video game, to be certain. And while the allure of classic Tetris is important to The New Tetris, this game adds so much to the original as to be a much different game.
The
biggest deviation from classic Tetris is the new goal of
creating blocks, which are 4x4 squares composed of
exactly four pieces. Blocks may be made of either all the
same pieces, which results in a gold block, or of
different pieces, which results in a silver block. When
lines are cleared that contain parts of a block, it is
worth 10 bonus lines per line of block for gold blocks
and 5 lines per line of block for silver blocks. It doesn’t
take long to figure out that making blocks is the key to
winning in The New Tetris. There is a bit more complexity,
because making blocks can also be the path to losing. The
ultimate challenge is balancing making blocks with
clearing them.
The New Tetris is probably the most addictive game available for the N64. If you pick this game up, it will be a long, long time before you put it down. The reason behind this is an excellent multiplayer mode. Four players can choose from several modes of play, with goals based on reaching a certain line count, having the highest count in a short period of time, or just being the last one to die. Players also have the option to send incomplete lines (garbage) to other players when they succeed in clearing multiple lines or clearing lines that contain part of a block. Garbage can be either directed or shift randomly between players in a hot-potato fashion.
Directed
mode leads to an extremely competitive mode of play, as
players negotiate alliances that shift from game to game
in a quest to kill off the ‘best’ player before
he can get a substantial line count. Players are also
provided with a numerical rank based on the rate at which
they complete lines. This provides everyone with an
excellent idea of where to send their garbage.
Other features that have been added are the ability to see the next three blocks instead of just one and a shadow of the block that shows where it is going to fall. Another new feature is a hold block that can be switched in for the currently falling block. This can be used to hold the all important ‘bar’ block until it can be used for a tetris, for example. The only weakness of this game is a weak AI. Even on the highest difficulty, you'd have to fall asleep for it to win. Big deal. This game was meant for the four player action.
A review of The New Tetris would be incomplete without mentioning the game music. The tunes are a very catchy ethnic-techno that fit right in with the game. IGN64 has several of them available for download, so you can see for yourself just how much ass they kick.
The New Tetris is an excellent game, but be very wary if you don’t have the time to be addicted. If you pick it up, you won’t put it down.
Rating:
