| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Eurogamer |
Christian Donlan |
Recommended |
11-09-2018 |
Tetris gets the Tetsuya Mizuguchi makeover, to dazzling effect. |
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| Everyeye.it |
Unknown |
9 / 10 |
11-09-2018 |
Tetris Effect, very simply, is the best Tetris ever. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| GamePro |
Manuel Fritsch |
89 / 100 |
11-16-2018 |
An audiovisual treat. Not only, but especially with PSVR the best Tetris experience you can buy. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| GamesBeat |
Jeff Grubb |
95 / 100 |
11-09-2018 |
Score: 95/100 |
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| GameSpew |
Kim Snaith |
9 / 10 |
11-28-2018 |
Tetris Effect keeps you on your toes throughout, and it’s all the better for it. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Geek Culture |
Jake Su |
9.5 / 10 |
11-29-2018 |
A classic reborn, who knew Tetris could get any better? |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Guardian |
Keza MacDonald |
5 / 5 stars |
07-19-2019 |
This euphoric puzzle game pleasurably hijacks your neural pathways (and your emotions) |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| IGN |
Dan Crowd |
8.5 / 10 |
11-09-2018 |
Tetris Effect turns the game you know into something you’ve likely never experienced. |
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| 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. |
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| IGN Middle East |
Zaher Albalbisi |
7.9 / 10 |
11-13-2018 |
Fresh music makes this experience really enjoyable. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| PC Gamer |
Unknown |
90 / 100 |
07-25-2019 |
Whole new sensory layers make Tetris Effect the best version of an already timeless game. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Polygon |
Michael McWhertor |
Recommended |
11-09-2018 |
Tetris Effect on PC takes a classic even closer to perfection |
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| 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’. |
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| 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!” |
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| 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. |
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| Screen Rant |
Zak Wojnar |
4 / 5 stars |
11-09-2018 |
Tetris returns, with its signature gameplay foundation bolstered by a beautifully psychedelic presentation. |
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| SECTOR.sk |
Matúš Štrba |
8 / 10 |
12-06-2018 |
Cult puzzle classic just got refreshed with this psychedelic trip that deserves your attention. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| 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. |
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