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[haxan7]

Seriously. I can't believe I almost didn't buy it.

It's not a game you have to invest a lot of time and energy into to enjoy. It's just all right there as soon as you start playing. The old Tetris formula doctored up in an incredible way.

Anyone who is even slightly on the fence about it should just buy it.

 

[HyGogg]

It's an absolute masterpiece in every way. The sound design is absolutely next level, and the ultimate realization of what Mizuguchi has been chasing since Rez. The fact that it isn't nominated for a VGA for Audio Design alone invalidates that whole award show for me.

 

[Cunth]

What kind of new mechanics are there? Or is it purely an audio-visual experience?

 

[Z..]

How does it compare to Tetris DS and Puyo Puyo Tetris? Those two are the gold standard, afaic.

 

[ipsi2]

What kind of new mechanics are there? Or is it purely an audio-visual experience?

From what I can tell, that's the only difference.

 

[haxan7]

What kind of new mechanics are there? Or is it purely an audio-visual experience?

No, not purely audio-visual (although that plays a significant role in making the game compelling). This is what I thought at first, and what almost kept me from trying it.

Basically, it manipulates the Tetris formula in a variety of ways to squeeze the greatest depth and breadth of new gameplay out of the original formula, while integrating that with an audio-visual experience that tries to complement what is happening with the moment-to-moment gameplay (and largely succeeds). Imagine what would happen if a team of really smart people spent months or years working out "what can we do with the Tetris formula to make a game that really kicks ass and is fun to play?" - that's what Tetris Effect is.

I know I'm not answering the question of what specific gameplay mechanics there are, but those are best left to be discovered on your own.

 

[Punished Miku]

From what I can tell, that's the only difference.

You can store pieces and then drop them in at will, saving line pieces or pieces you can't use on the fly.

There are new specialized pieces as well.

There are lots of alternate modes as well with new gimmicks. 1) line pieces drop down in set spots on a countdown, 2) the board changes periodically, 3) etc, etc, etc

The primary content in the game though is audio visual, and best experienced in VR (though good without still).

 

[WaterAstro]

Yeah, it's crazy good. We loved Lumines, but the game isn't the best puzzle game. It's like Mizuguchi was meant to do this.

I feel like, in a way, Tetris needed this. A more approachable Tetris in terms of graphical beauty and style. The launch trailer really sells it.

What kind of new mechanics are there? Or is it purely an audio-visual experience?

I haven't played whatever recent Tetris games, which are probably emulating Arika's Tetris, but I think it has most of the recent Tetris, like holding a piece, ghost piece, slamming with up. The challenge modes, like upside down, big piece, bombs, and stuff like that might have been done in older Tetris games.

The one thing that is absolutely new is the Zone where you can activate the ability to be able to get more than 4 lines clear by freezing the clear. You can get up to 20 lines clear, which is Ultramatris. Perfectris is 18-19, and Decahextris is 16-17.

And, of course, there is VR, which is amazing when I tried it at a friends. I don't have PSVR, but maybe I will if Canada gets a deal on PSVR like the States.

 

[Z..]

I am aware of the whole zone thing but would like to know what other new mechanics there are, not affraid of being spoiled.

You can store pieces and then drop them in at will, saving line pieces or pieces you can't use on the fly.

That's been a staple of most Tetris games for almost 20 years now.

I haven't played whatever recent Tetris games, which are probably emulating Arika's Tetris, but I think it has most of the recent Tetris, like holding a piece, ghost piece, slamming with up.

Does it have t-spin?

 

[MightySquirrel]

Just to be straight here. We're not talking about the very same Tetris that was released in 1984?

Because that was available on like 100s of all sorts of handhelds over the years.

 

[baphomet]

Just to be straight here. We're not talking about the very same Tetris that was released in 1984?

Because that was available on like 100s of all sorts of handhelds over the years.

Are those games called Tetris Effect?

 

[HyGogg]

What kind of new mechanics are there? Or is it purely an audio-visual experience?

There's a new zone mechanic that acts like a sort of bullet time to let you get caught up or rack up big scores, and of course the level structure and the non-linear difficulty curve but for the most part it plays like other modern iterations of Tetris (TGM mechanics, pretty much)

 

[HyGogg]

Does it have t-spin?

It does. It's very much a modern Tetris in mechanics, but with a slick presentation and a focus on the kind of meditative, intuitive qualities of the game.

 

[WaterAstro]

Does it have t-spin?

Yep, T-spin combo is definitely in.

I also don't know if other Tetris has the same types of modes Tetris Effect has, but there are a lot of modes. I can't really name them all from my mind though. Probably should look it up.

I think the highscore online feature isn't particularly special, but it's cool to see how you stack up against the world. There is a cool visualizer to see players around the world actually playing the game and having their avatars showing up.

Just to be straight here. We're not talking about the very same Tetris that was released in 1984?

Because that was available on like 100s of all sorts of handhelds over the years.

The Tetris now is different than the Tetris on Gameboy/NES. Combos, block probabilities, speed. It's a really different Tetris, even from the 90s it was drastically different.

 

[MightySquirrel]

Are those games called Tetris Effect?

Can't wait for Pac-Man Effect - it will surely be "one of the best NEW games to come out in years".

 

[Spukc]

How does it compare to Tetris DS and Puyo Puyo Tetris? Those two are the gold standard, afaic.

Waiting .... boys

 

[Ptownrich]

Can't wait to play this on PSVR but waiting for a sale. £35 seems a tad steep (and I still need to finish astrobot).

 

[Zewp]

Can't wait for Pac-Man Effect - it will surely be "one of the best NEW games to come out in years".

Pretty much my reaction too. I get that it's probably the best version of Tetris, but it's still Tetris at the end of the day.

Saying things like "one of the best new games to come out in years" just sounds very hipster.

 

[dark10x]

Waiting .... boys

Might I suggest this?

What kind of new mechanics are there? Or is it purely an audio-visual experience?

They've tossed together so many different modes this time often inspired by other classic Tetris titles. There is a nod to the TGM series, for instance, with the Master mode. So it's not just Tetris.

 

[AlexxKidd]

I am aware of the whole zone thing but would like to know what other new mechanics there are, not affraid of being spoiled.

The Zone is the mechanic completely new and exclusive to Tetris Effect. It is Mizuguchi's gift to Tetris and I believe it will be featured in many following titles for years to come. Completely changes the game and adds an entirely new strategy into play.

Yes there are various other modes including classic Tetris skins, and you have the audio-visual fest, but if youre asking about mechanics the Zone is the most important thing. After having experienced it id be hard pressed to go back to playing without it. Old Tetris would feel like building your super meter in Street Fighter, except there'd be no way to actually execute the super once the meter's full.

Im that attatched to it now, its ruined non-'Effect' Tetrises for me.

 

[GenericUser]

Oh, I agree OP. I enjoyed the demo quiete a bit. But charging 40 bucks is asking too much I think. I will buy it eventually, but not at the current price tag.

 

[Z..]

I was sold on this already since I'm a huge Mizuguchi fan, but it's good to know there's a fully featured game of Tetris underneath all his usual shtick. Shame it's PS4 only, would like this on Switch for portability's sake. Oh well. As soon as this dips below 30, I'm getting it!

 

[Vawn]

It's great in VR. Crank the volume way up.

 

[Impotaku]

It's amazing how many times i have seen people whine about it been $40 i have yet to see one thread where tetris effect is mentioned that hasn't had at least one person whine about the price. On here, on youtube, on twitter, on facebook it's all the same the whining that $40 is just too expensive. It's not like they just reskinned the NES tetris and added some fancy effects and called it a day, the game was made with a lot of care.

People bitching online "but it's just tetris why should i pay that much?" How is that any different to the same yearly franchise shit thats churned out with minimal effort at full price (cough FIFA). Because this is a puzzle game people think it deserves only to be sold at sub rate budget prices. How dare those devs make any money on the great version of tetris they have created.

 

[Urantian]

So is this a PS exclusive?
I am interested in the game, but I can't bring myself to purchase it on PS4.
I started buying the puzzle games on Switch for work travel and just know I would never touch the game otherwise.

 

[Sub_Level]

So is this a PS exclusive?

Yep.

On switch Lumines Remastered would be the closest thing.

 

[Urantian]

Yeah, got Lumines already.
Oh well, no biggie.

 

[michaelius]

Do we know if it's timed exclusivity deal? It looks interesting but I prefer to play games like this or Lumines on handhelds.

 

[kunonabi]

New Tetris games have all been ass so I couldn't imagine having this change my mind. I'll stick with Tetris Battle Gaiden.

 

[AlexxKidd]

Do we know if it's timed exclusivity deal? It looks interesting but I prefer to play games like this or Lumines on handhelds.

Previous posters in other threads have said that Tetris incarnations tend to remain exclusive to one system, however I will point out that Rez Infinite (previous PS4 eclxclusive from the same developer) has since appeared on the PC so I would not take it off the table at all.

 

[Lasty95]

What kind of new mechanics are there? Or is it purely an audio-visual experience?

So yeah, there's the Zone mechanic that's been mentioned a few times. Its a big one though, and clever use is essential for big scores.

But for me the main difference is the campaign. This is just a totally different way to play Tetris. A different pace and tempo altogether. Its a delight.

But really, just how transformative the audio-visual stuff is cannot be overstated.

 

[CD'S BAR]

i'll prob bite digital. love what i've seen (dat trailer)

 

[Wonko_C]

Just because it's Tetris doesn't mean it has to be portable. This version was designed for, and really meant to be played in VR. You're supposed to be hallucinating falling blocks surrounded by trippy visuals and music/SFX, thus the name Tetris Effect.

 

[dirthead]

Yeah, it's crazy good. We loved Lumines, but the game isn't the best puzzle game. It's like Mizuguchi was meant to do this.

I feel like, in a way, Tetris needed this. A more approachable Tetris in terms of graphical beauty and style. The launch trailer really sells it.



I haven't played whatever recent Tetris games, which are probably emulating Arika's Tetris, but I think it has most of the recent Tetris, like holding a piece, ghost piece, slamming with up. The challenge modes, like upside down, big piece, bombs, and stuff like that might have been done in older Tetris games.

The one thing that is absolutely new is the Zone where you can activate the ability to be able to get more than 4 lines clear by freezing the clear. You can get up to 20 lines clear, which is Ultramatris. Perfectris is 18-19, and Decahextris is 16-17.

And, of course, there is VR, which is amazing when I tried it at a friends. I don't have PSVR, but maybe I will if Canada gets a deal on PSVR like the States.

Is that seizure inducing video what actually happens when you play it, or was that just for dramatic effect? That's so fucking distracting. I couldn't play a Tetris game that constantly flashed obnoxiously like that.

 

[Deft Beck]

Is that seizure inducing video what actually happens when you play it, or was that just for dramatic effect? That's so fucking distracting. I couldn't play a Tetris game that constantly flashed obnoxiously like that.

That's just for effect, but the levels do have a lot of visual flourishes when you clear lines and such.

 

[kaczmar]

How much is this game?

 

[Wonko_C]

Is that seizure inducing video what actually happens when you play it, or was that just for dramatic effect? That's so fucking distracting. I couldn't play a Tetris game that constantly flashed obnoxiously like that.

The launch trailer goes wacko, better watch some journey gameplay to give you an idea, it's flashy but not distracting at all, Infact sometimes it's the Tetris that distracts me from the flashy effects.

 

[zenspider]

Can't wait for Pac-Man Effect - it will surely be "one of the best NEW games to come out in years".

It did, it was called Pac-Man Championship Edition, and it was.

 

[manfestival]

Is that seizure inducing video what actually happens when you play it, or was that just for dramatic effect? That's so fucking distracting. I couldn't play a Tetris game that constantly flashed obnoxiously like that.

The worlds best tetris player supports this game and it did not slow the man down. Only refresh rate could slow the man down.

 

[haxan7]

The worlds best tetris player supports this game and it did not slow the man down. Only refresh rate could slow the man down.

I googled and found this video as a result of your post. Was pretty interesting to watch this guy play, especially when he switched over to VR.

 

[manfestival]

I googled and found this video as a result of your post. Was pretty interesting to watch this guy play, especially when he switched over to VR.

That video almost sold me on buying the game

 

[theclaw135]

Do we know if it's timed exclusivity deal? It looks interesting but I prefer to play games like this or Lumines on handhelds.

It may be first party funded. Sony co-published the physical copies.

 

[Grinchy]

I've been playing this damn game all day. I keep going in for ~2 hour busts.

I've been doing the Journey mode just on Normal difficulty. I'm quitting out any time I lose instead of continuing and there is some real challenge here for my old brain. Once it gets to like speed level 12 I just sort of melt.

It's so good so far. Even the extra modes are fun and addicting.

 

[Pachi72]

Is this game ever going to come out on Switch?

 

[HyGogg]

Is this game ever going to come out on Switch?

It's believed to be a timed exclusive, which means no one is allowed to discuss what comes after until that period is up. I think PC with VR support is a safe bet. I wouldn't rule out Switch though, but we'll have to see.

 

[Chairman Tickles]

Switch pls

 

[IbizaPocholo]

 

[Metnut]

Is the AV experience still really good without VR? Not sure if I want to go for this if AV is the big appeal and I don’t have VR.

 

[PleaseDontBanMe]

From what I can tell, that's the only difference.

 

[Keihart]

Been playing it on VR recently, it's really cool honestly.