Tetris Effect

What to Know

Critics Recommend

Average Score

Total Reviews: 78

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Fresh music, dazzling gameplay, and eye-wateringly immersive, Tetris Effect presents players with an unforgettable experience and a great take on a classic formula.

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Critics Recommend

Critic Reviews: 78

Critics Consensus

# Reviews: 78

Fresh music, dazzling gameplay, and eye-wateringly immersive, Tetris Effect presents players with an unforgettable experience and a great take on a classic formula.

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Awards & Recognition

Critic Reviews for Tetris Effect

Reviews

High Score - 100/100

Low Score - 70/100

Gold TIER

51% of scored reviews fell within the range of 86 to 92 / 100

GameCentral (Metro GameCentral)

9/10

“A masterful reimagining of Tetris that changes little about the core gameplay but still manages to create one of the most immersive video games ever.”

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Peter Brown (GameSpot)

9/10

“Tetris Effect transforms the classic puzzle game through the power of music. It’s hard to put down, and even harder to stop thinking about.”

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Ben Pack (Giant Bomb)

5/5 stars

“Solid Tetris and the unique visual style of Tetsuya Mizuguchi fit together like two L blocks.”

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**Read all 78 critic reviews on the desktop version of VSG.

Read the Reviews (78 total)

Outlet	Author	Score	Date	Quote	Read
Ars Technica	Sam Machkovech	Recommended	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect doesn’t skimp on the modes. The game ships with a grand total of 16 selectable modes, though we can whittle that down to roughly 10 discrete ways to play—which, hey, is still a crap-ton of Tetris.	Read review
Atomix	Alberto Desfassiaux	88 / 100	11-26-2018	Tetris Effect is one of the most impressive VR experiences that you can have. Tetris Effect is the evolution of the most iconic videogame of all time.	Read review
Attack of the Fanboy	Dylan Siegler	4.5 / 5 stars	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect is a great take on a classic formula. The immersive visuals and music add a new layer that Tetris fans didn’t even know we needed.	Read review
CGMagazine	Thomas Hughes	10 / 10	11-14-2018	Tetris Effect combines the simplicity of Tetris with an evocative and awe-inspiring mixture of music and visuals to create an experience unlike any other.	Read review
Chalgyr’s Game Room	Nick Herber	8.8 / 10	11-28-2018	I really, really enjoyed Tetris Effect. The modes are engaging, the presentation has a life of its own and is certainly the best the series has ever looked and sounded and the variety of modes and options while coupled with the new Zone mechanic offer some new wrinkles with plenty of replay value.	Read review
COGconnected	Ahmed Mohamed	95 / 100	11-12-2018	Tetris Effect, similar to Polyphony Digital’s Gran Turismo Sport, is designed with the improvement of the player’s skill at its heart.	Read review
Critical Hit	Alessandro Barbosa	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect is a visual and auditory treat that bombards your senses with exploding colours and punchy electronic songs. But it’s real triumph is combining this with the delicate nature of Tetris, retaining the precise gameplay while also marrying it effectively with the beat of a drum. Tetris Effect is meditative, exciting and incredibly difficult to put down.	Read review
Daily Star	Lloyd Coombes	5 / 5 stars	08-11-2019	To play Tetris Effect without VR is to attend the opera with earplugs in. In fact, Tetris Effect on PlayStation VR is arguably not something you play at all	Read review
DarkZero	Jorge S Fernandez	9 / 10	11-20-2018	No two ways about it, Tetris Effect is a masterpiece, the kind of visually and audibly resplendence that one could immediately point towards the next critic who poses the age-old annoying question of whether videogames are “art”. It also makes for the best VR experience on the PSVR since Resident Evil 7, and is an absolute must-have with or without the extra hardware.	Read review
Destructoid	Jordan Devore	9.5 / 10	11-09-2018	Some people will be disappointed by the lack of competitive modes, and that’s fair enough, but don’t let their omission bring you down too much. Tetris Effect isn’t intended to be a heated head-to-head sort of game. It’s more sentimental. Whether you’ve loved Tetris since the ’80s or you’ve never quite meshed with its status as an all-time classic, you should be able to find something to latch onto here. Seasoned players can tweak the settings just the way they like and tone down the visuals. Newcomers can crank up the extravagant effects and relish the whimsical atmosphere. Everyone wins.	Read review
Digital Chumps	Eric Layman	9.5 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect is a euphoric balance of intensity and serenity. Rarely do games manage either with stability, let alone perform both in concert. Tetris Effect’s audio and visual assault is as powerful as its score-chasing quest for order and perfection, leaving the player overwhelmed with raw optimism and kaleidoscopic emotion. Tetris never required a sequel, but it now feels inseparable from Tetris Effect’s compliment.	Read review
Digitally Downloaded	Matt Sainsbury	4.5 / 5 stars	11-10-2018	This is a deeply immersive, elegant, intelligent take on Tetris, and the best example of it since the original on Game Boy, all that time ago	Read review
DualShockers	Max Roberts	9 / 10	11-20-2018	We may all be different, speak different languages, have different educations, but we all have Tetris. Seven small blocks called tetrominoes that make lines. It’s so pure in execution, people sometimes call it Tetris when they stack their groceries perfectly in their trunk. Tetris is a great equalizer. I think that is Tetris Effect’s greatest accomplishment. Showing me that anyone can play, just like my grandmother did all those years ago. She would have loved it, just like I do.	Read review
Electric Bento	Neil Curry	9.1 / 10	11-13-2018	Timeless gameplay and new music make Tetris Effect quite worthwhile in my eyes. For those with access to PSVR, the immersive visuals make it an easy recommendation.	Read review
Eurogamer	Christian Donlan	Recommended	11-09-2018	Tetris gets the Tetsuya Mizuguchi makeover, to dazzling effect.	Read review
Everyeye.it	Unknown	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect, very simply, is the best Tetris ever.	Read review
FingerGuns	Paul Collett	10 / 10	11-09-2018	Resonair and Monstars have reinvented something I didn’t think could be reinvented. They have created as much an experience as they have a game.	Read review
Game Informer	Jeff Cork	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Most of us have had intense moments with Tetris, but Tetris Effect’s masterful musical accompaniment makes it emotionally resonant as well	Read review
Game Revolution	Michael Leri	3.5 / 5 stars	11-09-2018	those areas where Tetris Effect drops the ball doesn’t completely negate how good the classic puzzler still is at dropping blocks.	Read review
Gameblog	Julien Hubert	9 / 10	11-09-2018	If you own a good PC and are a Tetris fan, you won’t be disappointed by Tetris Effect. It’s still what can be considered as the strongest installement in the series, thanks to its lavish visuals and unforgettable sound design and tracks. But, it can potentially be a lot more beautiful and overwhelming than on PS4, with a 4K screen or with a VR headset. You just can’t miss this magnificent gem.	Read review
GameCrate	Angelo D’Argenio	8.8 / 10	11-09-2018	This is the first solo Tetris game in a long time that truly brings something new to the formula. If you are a Tetris fan, then you owe it to yourself to give Tetris Effect a chance.	Read review
GameGrin	Nikholai Koolonavich	8 / 10	12-10-2018	Tetris Effect is a beautiful journey to the rhythm of blocks falling that provides the ultimate means of escapism.	Read review
GameMAG	Unknown	9 / 10	12-02-2018	Tetris Effect is the most amazing Tetris version of all available on the market, which, with its stunning graphics, various difficulty levels and the perfect combination of music, effects and surroundings, lacks only a multiplayer mode.	Read review
GamePitt	Rob Pitt	9.5 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect is a combination of brilliant dynamic music, spectacular visuals, and solid Tetris gameplay, all rolled into one must-have package. Not only will you be treating yourself to a great version of Tetris, but you’ll also be giving your eyes and ears a gift they’ll never forget. On top of the 1-2 hour ‘story mode’, you can also try out fifteen set modes/playstyles as well as participate in weekly challenges. There’s a lot of content and fans of the classic game will simply love what the developers have done with the license this time around.	Read review
Gameplanet	Chris Brown	9 / 10	11-09-2018	The almost perfect marriage of elegant game design, evocative audio, and stunning visuals delivers a gaming experience far richer and affecting than I could have possibly imagined. It’s not without a few flaws, but they are easily forgotten almost as soon as they have passed.	Read review
GamePro	Manuel Fritsch	89 / 100	11-16-2018	An audiovisual treat. Not only, but especially with PSVR the best Tetris experience you can buy.	Read review
Gamers Heroes	Casey Scheld	7 / 10	07-26-2019	Tetris Effect is an absolute beauty, but the gameplay powering this audiovisual phenomenon is still the same old Tetris. Players won’t be starved for options, but those hoping for something game-changing like Tetris 99 or Tetris: The Grand Master will feel somewhat empty.	Read review
Gamersky	不倒翁蜀黍	8.5 / 10	12-15-2018	Tetris Effect is a well-designed new generation Tetris game with gorgeous visuals. It would be even greater if include any multiplayer features.	Read review
GamesBeat	Jeff Grubb	95 / 100	11-09-2018	Score: 95/100	Read review
GameSpew	Kim Snaith	9 / 10	11-28-2018	Tetris Effect keeps you on your toes throughout, and it’s all the better for it.	Read review
GameSpot	Peter Brown	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect transforms the classic puzzle game through the power of music. It’s hard to put down, and even harder to stop thinking about.	Read review
Gaming Nexus	Randy Kalista	9 / 10	11-29-2018	Tetris Effect is the most optimistic game of the year. Plus, nobody saw it coming. It shouldn’t be possible to say this, but this is the best Tetris has been in decades.	Read review
GamingBolt	Ravi Sinha	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect isn’t just Tetris as you remember it. It’s a completely new experience that’s meditative at times and wholly engulfing in others. Whether you like it challenging or enrapturing, Tetris Effect will appeal to the fan in you.	Read review
GearNuke	Muhammad Ali Bari	8.5 / 10	11-12-2018	Tetris Effect is fascinating particles and effects showcase on regular displays, but playing in VR elevates it to a spectacle that every PSVR owner should experience.	Read review
Geek Culture	Jake Su	9.5 / 10	11-29-2018	A classic reborn, who knew Tetris could get any better?	Read review
Geeks Under Grace	Joe Morgan	9.5 / 10	11-19-2018	Tetris Effect proves an old dog can do new tricks. The classic puzzle franchise is as alive as ever, offering a top-tier puzzle experience for everywhere, whether looking for a focused challenge or serene way to unwind.	Read review
Giant Bomb	Ben Pack	5 / 5 stars	11-14-2018	Solid Tetris and the unique visual style of Tetsuya Mizuguchi fit together like two L blocks.	Read review
God is a Geek	Chris White	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect is a wonderful take on a game that has been around for as long as I have. For a series that’s 34-years old, it’s amazing to see how it can still find a way to reinvent itself whilst still remaining true to its roots. The majestic visuals and emotive soundtrack allows you to get swept away in its beauty, freeing yourself of worry and allowing you to enjoy such a pure and addictive game.	Read review
GotGame	David Poole	9 / 10	07-09-2020	With fantastic music and a stellar visual presentation, this is an easy choice for any Tetris fan. I still find myself humming music from this game, even two years after the original release. Even without VR, this is still an excellent puzzle experience.	Read review
Guardian	Keza MacDonald	5 / 5 stars	07-19-2019	This euphoric puzzle game pleasurably hijacks your neural pathways (and your emotions)	Read review
Hardcore Gamer	Jordan Helm	4.5 / 5 stars	11-14-2018	Not since the days of the original PlayStation or Game Boy has Tetris proven with such ferocity that it remains as enjoyable yet aesthetically-dexterous as it’s proven so many a time.	Read review
Hobby Consolas	Alberto Lloret	89 / 100	11-09-2018	Some games have a personal feeling, and that’s the case of Tetris Effect. If you loved the aesthetics, sound and gameplay similarities that Rez and Lumines shared (like every action has a sound effect that impacts the soundtrack), then Tetris Effect it’s for you. An original and refreshing way to renew a mith that keeps entertaining big time.	Read review
IGN	Dan Crowd	8.5 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect turns the game you know into something you’ve likely never experienced.	Read review
IGN Italy	Mattia Ravanelli	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Colors, sounds, vibrations and that unforgettable gameplay: Tetris Effect is one of the most impressive Tetris game to date.	Read review
IGN Middle East	Zaher Albalbisi	7.9 / 10	11-13-2018	Fresh music makes this experience really enjoyable.	Read review
IGN Spain	Victor Sánchez	8.8 / 10	11-09-2018	Not just another Tetris game, but a modern classic that makes the old game even funnier and much more synesthesic.	Read review
Metro GameCentral	GameCentral	9 / 10	07-24-2019	A masterful reimagining of Tetris that changes little about the core gameplay but still manages to create one of the most immersive video games ever.	Read review
New Game Network	Alex Varankou	72 / 100	07-30-2019	Tetris Effect reflects the classic puzzle game through a particle filled kaleidoscope, putting players into a mesmerizing trance with its unique presentation, alongside classic gameplay. Its price point might jolt you back to reality, though.	Read review
Nexus	Sam Aberdeen	10 / 10	11-08-2018	Tetris Effect is Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s masterpiece; a striking blend of Tetris, psychedelic visuals and a terrific soundtrack that elevates this unassuming title into classic territory already.	Read review
OnlySP	Rebecca Hills-Duty	4 / 5 stars	11-19-2018	Unlike many ‘Optional VR’ games, Tetris Effect thrives in VR, and a PlayStation VR headset is by far the best way of experiencing this game. Tetris Effect is a very polished, absorbing, and beautiful experience, and well worth checking out for anybody who has a PlayStation 4, especially if they also have a PSVR headset.	Read review
Pardis Game	Alireza Razmjoei	9.5 / 10	01-11-2019	Tetris Effect is a combination of the perfect Tetris core gameplay with the best kind of interactive sound design, music, and effects that even when you’re not playing the game, the pleasant feeling of it will stay with you	Read review
PC Gamer	Unknown	90 / 100	07-25-2019	Whole new sensory layers make Tetris Effect the best version of an already timeless game.	Read review
PCMag	Will Greenwald	4.5 / 5 stars	12-04-2018	Tetris Effect is a beautiful, enthralling experience for PS4 that combines the perfect simplicity of Tetris with the stunning and hypnotic visual and audio design of Lumines.	Read review
PlayStation Universe	John-Paul Jones	10 / 10	11-09-2018	One of the greatest games ever made returns and finds a perfect evolution in Tetris Effect. The result is a timeless take on that best puzzler ever, and one that gives PS4 owners a true Game of the Generation candidate. This truly is Tetris 2.0.	Read review
Polygon	Michael McWhertor	Recommended	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect on PC takes a classic even closer to perfection	Read review
Press Start	Brodie Gibbons	9 / 10	11-21-2018	Tetris is like an old shoe, it’s comfortable and familiar. It’s hard to believe that three decades on, Tetris is still making the splash it is. It’s an evergreen sensation that constantly renews itself and its latest iteration, Tetris Effect might be its euphoric best. Were this rock and roll, Tetris would be held in as high esteem as The Beatles and this particular game would be its ‘Revolver’.	Read review
PSX Brasil	Manu Tárrega	88 / 100	11-13-2018	From jumping dolphins to indians and balloons; from house/techno and dubstep to jazz, Tetris Effect promises an immersive and intuitive experience. If you didn’t like the old Tetris, now you’ve got every reason to rediscover this video game classic. It’s beyond recommended to play with a good sound system or headphone. “Until the next trip!”	Read review
Push Square	Sammy Barker	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Tetris Effect takes you on an emotional rollercoaster through oceans and to other worlds. While its striking audiovisual achievements sing on a standard screen, virtual reality elevates the experience to euphoric new levels. And yet, for all the chatter of spiritual awakenings, there’s a damn good game of Tetris here, bursting with inventive modes and beautiful visuals which will keep you hooked for potentially hundreds of hours.	Read review
Saudi Gamer	عصام الشهوان	9 / 10	11-09-2018	Classic Tetris with the audio/visual touches we’re used to from Lumines developer Mizuguchi. The lack of versus mode is a tiny blemish on a game about challenging yourself and your friends’ high scores. Tetris in its most gorgeous form.	Read review
Screen Rant	Zak Wojnar	4 / 5 stars	11-09-2018	Tetris returns, with its signature gameplay foundation bolstered by a beautifully psychedelic presentation.	Read review
SECTOR.sk	Matúš Štrba	8 / 10	12-06-2018	Cult puzzle classic just got refreshed with this psychedelic trip that deserves your attention.	Read review
Shacknews	Asif Khan	9 / 10	11-09-2018	This is the update to Tetris no one knew they needed, but now that we have it, it is impossible to imagine stepping back.	Read review
Slant Magazine	Aaron Riccio	3.5 / 5 stars	11-09-2018	Mizuguchi has made strong, confident choices with his approach to Tetris, the Zone ability most prominent among them, but he’s done so uncompromisingly. And that’s an effect that’s as likely to leave tetrominos burned into your retinas as it is to simply leave you feeling cold and alone.	Read review
SpazioGames	Dark Nightmare	8 / 10	11-12-2018	Tetris Effect is still the same old puzzle game, but its renewed presentation will appeal new and old players alike.	Read review
TechRaptor	Alex Santa Maria	9 / 10	11-14-2018	Tetris Effect is a dazzling display of all aspects of gaming coming together for a singular experience. It’s also a fully featured edition of the best puzzle game of all time. Overall, that’s a pretty good combo.	Read review
The Digital Fix	Jason Coles	10 / 10	08-29-2019	A euphoric, almost religious game, and one that will make you wonder what you’ve been doing playing other games.	Read review
The Games Machine	Nicolò Paschetto	8.6 / 10	11-20-2018	Not only do we have a new Tetris, but finally we find a version of this eternal classic with a single player campaign, whose narrative is entirely entrusted to the audio-visual mix that combines perfectly to create moments in which the multi-sensorial experience elaborated by our brain joins the logical work necessary to complete the levels. The only real flaw of Tetris Effect is the absence of multiplayer.	Read review
TheSixthAxis	Dominic Leighton	10 / 10	11-09-2018	At times spiritual, transcendental and zen-like, at others excruciating, heart-poundingly tense and eye-wateringly immersive, Tetris Effect is game of the year material and essential on PlayStation VR.	Read review
ThisGenGaming	Justin Oneil	10 / 10	11-13-2018	It’s a beautiful marriage of visuals, audio, and gameplay the likes of which is rare and easily one of the best games of 2018. You absolutely should experience the Tetris Effect.	Read review
Too Much Gaming	Joseph Choi	9 / 10	12-17-2018	Tetris Effect expands the appeal of the puzzle genre and introduces cool new mechanics, all without sacrificing or compromising the core gameplay of one of the best and most iconic games of all time. It’s not for everyone, but if you’ve ever been bitten by the Tetris bug in the past, or have enjoyed Mizuguchi’s past experiments in synesthesia, you can’t go wrong with Tetris Effect.	Read review
TrueGaming	Unknown	7.5 / 10	11-17-2018	Tetris Effect is as immersive as you expect from a new Tetsuya Mizuguchi game. it is a great mix of color, sound, and emotion. however, the simplicity of the core game and the lack of multiplayer options are holding this game back.	Read review
Twinfinite	Tom Hopkins	5 / 5 stars	11-09-2018	Whether you’re playing in VR or not, Tetris Effect is an incredible achievement. The familiar gameplay, stunning visuals, and beautiful music all come together to evoke a variety of different emotions. For a couple of minutes, you’re captured by what’s happening around you and it’s magical. It’s a near perfect puzzle game, but it’s even closer to perfection in VR.	Read review
USgamer	Caty McCarthy	4 / 5 stars	11-09-2018	Sometimes Tetris Effect dances into the profound: wherein the music, the visuals, and the act of playing Tetris can make you—dare I say it—emotional. Then there’s the other side of Tetris Effect, the tedium with instant-fast speeds and hard-to-discern tetrominos in more than just a few levels. Tetris Effect is at its best when it’s just normal Tetris, with no strange shapes for blocks; with just the music and visuals to help you drift away as you fall into a flow. In PlayStation VR, that effect is only leveraged, making it a must-own game for the virtual reality platform.	Read review
Video Chums	A.J. Maciejewski	7.9 / 10	11-09-2018	Although the complete lack of multiplayer is a significant missed opportunity, challenging the various modes that Tetris Effect has to offer is an absolute joy.	Read review
We Got This Covered	David Morgan	4.5 / 5 stars	11-15-2018	Tetris Effect is a fantastic culmination of every modern nicety the titles have been known for, save for a disappointing lack of multiplayer. A simple puzzle game which turns out to be a triumphant exploration of human culture and progress.	Read review

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Game Info

Game Description / Storyline:

Named after a real-world phenomenon where players’ brains are so engrossed that images of the iconic falling Tetrimino blocks (i.e. the Tetris playing pieces) linger in their vision, thoughts, and even dreams, TETRIS® EFFECT amplifies this magical feeling of total immersion by surrounding you with fantastic, fully three-dimensional worlds that react and evolve based on how you play. Music, backgrounds, sounds, special effects—everything, down to the Tetris pieces themselves, pulse, dance, shimmer, and explode in perfect sync with how you’re playing.

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Tetris Effect

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Critic Reviews for Tetris Effect

Gold TIER

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