tetris effect

The Devaluing of Puzzle Games

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Once upon a time, Tetris on the NES was sold as a full-priced game. Even back then, its feature set was lacking, as it didn’t have local multiplayer. All you could do was chase for a high score. Nevertheless, that didn’t stop the world from buying it in the millions.

Imagine asking players to spend full price on a Tetris game now? No way! Even with the VR support and numerous gameplay modes that it offers, Tetris Effect didn’t launch as a full-priced game. That still didn’t stop many from being critical of its value proposition, specifically its distinct lack of multiplayer. Tetris 99 isn’t full-priced if you buy the standalone edition, nor is Puyo Puyo Tetris, which is essentially two full puzzle games in one. Even I complained about Treasure Stack, a game that I bought on sale for $5 CAD, because its value proposition felt thin.

Taking a step back, it’s been interesting to see how one of my favourite genres has been devalued over time.

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Real Reason Why Fornite, Apex Legends, PUBG, and Tetris 99 are Popular?! [HOT TAKE ALERT!]

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Over the past few years, battle royale games such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, PUBG, and Tetris 99 among many others have risen to the forefront of multiplayer gaming. What is it about these games that make them so popular? Having thought about this for years, I share my hot take on a potentially deep psychological reason what makes these games different from other multiplayer formats!

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Ready for CTWC Classic Tetris World Championships?

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Though I’ve been playing Tetris since the days of the NES and Game Boy, I got good playing the modern versions of Tetris, such as Tetris DS, Puyo Puyo Tetris, Tetris Effect, and Tetris 99. Over the years, Tetris has made a lot of mechanical changes to its core formula that you might have missed, making NES Tetris a very different beast. Do my modern skills translate to classic Tetris? Am I ready for the CTWC Classic Tetris World Championships? Let’s find out together!

I think I took a big step forward with this video in terms of concept and execution. It’s not perfect, but I’m really glad with how it turned out. Hope you enjoy!

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Tetris 99 Needs This

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Tetris 99 is awesome and only getting better. Even so, there’s room for improvement. Here’s what I want to see in future updates to Tetris 99! What would you like to see in future updates to the game?

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Limited Run Games is Releasing the Tetris Effect Soundtrack in a 5-LP Set Along With a Digital Download

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Ermahgerd!

At long last, the Tetris Effect soundtrack soundtrack is finally seeing the light of day. Limited Run Games gets the honours, releasing the music as part of a 5-LP bundle along with a digital download code. Pre-orders begin on November 22, 2019. You can also invest in a limited edition print of the game with a reversible cover and special gold foil highlights.

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4 Ways in Which Tetris Has Evolved

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At its core, Tetris hasn’t changed. This is still a game where you stack blocks that will disappear when you create a full row. Eventually, the blocks will get to the top and you’ll lose.

Under the hood, Alexey Pajitnov’s iconic puzzle game has actually received a number of mechanical tweaks that change the game quite a bit. So much so, that one can draw a hard line between “classic” Tetris and “modern” Tetris. If you grew up on the old games and are trying out one of the newer ones for the first time, it’s easy to not see the differences. For new players going backwards, they’re in for a rude awakening when things they took for granted aren’t there anymore.

I’m not an expert when it comes to the inner workings of Tetris, but I thought it would be neat to talk through a handful of the mechanical changes that impact how the game is played.

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Tetris 99, Tetris Effect, and How Context Changes Everything

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In the span of three months, we got Tetris Effect and Tetris 99. The former is a euphoric synesthesia trip, while the latter is the most savage puzzle game ever conceived. At the core, they’re the exact same game.

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These Aren’t My Game of the Year, But These 2018 Titles Are Worth Celebrating

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Once again, congratulations to Celeste for taking home the prestigious In Third Person Game of the Year award! Though there can only be one winner, there were a number of fantastic games that were “thisclose” from taking the crown. Let’s take a moment to tip our hats to some of my favourite games of 2018!

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Jett vs. Tetris Effect’s Master Mode (SS and S-Rank Scores!)

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Did better than I expected against the hardest mode in Tetris Effect! Let’s try and do even better next time against Master mode!

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Top 7 Songs from the Tetris Effect Soundtrack

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When I’m not glued to the TV playing Tetris Effect, I’m pumping the game’s soundtrack into my ears every chance I get. Even pulled out of context from the game, I’m enamored with the vibes that the music provides. Until we get the official soundtrack, YouTube user Nazo No Hito has done the world a favour and uploaded the entire soundtrack running in theatre mode. I tried to make a top 5, but I couldn’t in my heart of hearts cut the list any shorter. Here’s my top 7 songs from the Tetris Effect soundtrack!

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