Tetris Forever PC Review
Summary: Like an interactive museum display for Tetris, learn about the origins of the game while dipping into a game or two.
4
Tetris Timeline
There are few games that have entered the public lexicon as firmly as Tetris… any time someone tries to pack a number of things as tightly as possible it’s hard not to think they are trying to play a game of Tetris. Tetris Forever takes us back to where it all began and where it has gone since then.
The layout is very similar to a museum exhibit (especially like those at ACMI in Melbourne, Australia). There are time lines that have key moments in the history of Tetris, photos and archival videos can all be viewed. Certain versions of the game can be played, including a version of the original, before the more familiar graphical depiction of the blocks we are now familiar with.
There is a playable version of what I think was probably my first introduction to the game, the old CGA/EGA PC version… there’s a dose of nostalgia for those of us who played it. I would have to say that the first time I tried to play the original version (i.e. the very original) I did find the controls a bit confusing. The controls are not standard across all versions of Tetris but (I realised later) you can access a menu that will show you what the keys are for the version you are playing. There’s no way to rebind the keys… but this is Tetris (and variations of, or inspirations for) there aren’t a lot keys involved so it’s not too tricky to get your fingers around the keys.
It is quite fascinating learning about how the game started and how it was then brought to different markets. The copious copies/variations can either be taken as flattering or uninspired and if cynical as simple cash ins on an established popular game.
Some people are likely to be upset that their favourite version isn’t available here and indeed one of my favourite variations of Tetris, Super Puzzle Fighter (not strictly a variation of Tetris but the influence is pretty clear). But there are a decent few versions available to play and the classics are there (ok, fine… I’m biased because my introduction to Tetris is playable).
There is only one new game here, Tetris Time Warp which sees you playing a game and then being thrown back to an earlier version of Tetris before being brought back to the current game. It’s an interesting variation and the gameboy feel of the time warp level is pretty cool. In terms of the value for the games in general… it’s a bit hard to judge. Obviously a lot of them are quite similar so you’re not really getting a lot of variety, not a significant variety anyway. But the recreations are spot on for what is here… it’s really like inserting a floppy disc and loading the original.
Final Thoughts?
The documentary footage is very interesting and if you think of the game as being kind of an interactive documentary/museum display that might be the best way to look at it. If you are looking at the collection as a way to collect all the variations of Tetris that have been released then you will be disappointed. It is a pretty hefty price for the somewhat limited number of Tetris games available (I mean there are a few here… but the difference between them is not huge and there are some stand out titles missing)… so perhaps wait for a sale? Good to grab for the history of Tetris and if you are happy to have a playable documentary then you should be happy.
About the Author
Chris O'Connor Father of four, husband of one and all round oddity. Gaming at home since about 1982 with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Moving on to the more traditional PC genre in the years that followed with the classic Jump Joe and Alley Cat. CGA, EGA, VGA and beyond PC's have been central to my gaming but I've also enjoyed consoles and hand helds along the way (who remembers the Atari Lynx?). Would have been actor/film maker, jack of many trades master of none.
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