Tetris Evolution (Xbox 360) > Reviews (1)

TETRIS EVOLUTION

Tetris Evolution is a much improved and far better looking version of the old Tetris games. Tetris is an arcade puzzle game that involves falling bricks or blocks which ever you prefer to call them. THQ developed and published the game for release back in 2007 and is possibly the better known Tetris game around at the moment. Tetris has been around for many years with the first game being released way back officially in 1984. There have been absolutely lots of different Tetris games released but this is the only one available for the Xbox 360 (not including Xbox Live Arcade). The game is not the type of game to feature a storyline but it does feature numerous game modes and lots of other features that can be played. Tetris Evolution is one of the best and most addictive Tetris games released so far.

GAMEPLAY

The aim of Tetris is to simply get the highest score you possibly can as the game gets faster and faster as you start racking up the points. Also the aim of the game is to rotate the bricks to make lines of bricks to score points. The bricks in the game come in different shapes and colours but it doesn't matter how you match them up as long as they fit into place and can score you more points. The more lines you get in one go the more points you will receive and the more bonuses you can get. You also gain levels whilst playing which makes the bricks fall down much quicker to make things harder.

There are a total of 8 different playable games in Tetris and each one can be played online against other Xbox Live gamers if you have Xbox Live and a gold membership. The games that are playable include Marathon Mode which is unlimited and just keeps going and going, Ultra Mode which is timed and you can set the time limit and try and score as many points as possible before you're out of time, Cascade is one of my favourites because the bricks that are a different colour fall in the gaps as long as they aren't connected to the same brick and there are other game modes of different varieties.

Also the game does feature leaderboards so you can put your name at the top if you're good enough and let friends compete on the same console to try and beat you a bit like an old arcade game except you don't have to put in your 20p. Also on the game you can change backgrounds to suit you for example there is one where you can have a giraffe eating in the background and many more. You can also play against friends on the same console or over Xbox Live. The Xbox Live features are just the same as single player but against other people and the game modes are pretty much dead now. You will be lucky to find someone online to play against. There are also online leaderboards as well you having the ability to change your player icon and other bits and bobs. You can also change the skin of the game you are playing to make it look better or if you fancy a change. That is pretty much all what the game has to offer but it is quite enjoyable at times.

GRAPHICS & SOUND EFFECTS

Now to be honest Tetris isn't a game that has to feature the best graphics because all you're doing is slotting in bricks into spaces and so on.

However the bricks do look much better than the older Tetris games but still nothing special because they are just bricks. The game does feature some really good and interesting backgrounds though which include the giraffe and others such as waves, a mountain, a lightning storm, clouds and many more. Also each background you choose has its own unique music track to it so it gives you a little bit of variety. I really like the music to the game as well because its still very much like the first Tetris game but just sounds slightly improved and overall it gives a good feeling about the game. Also the skins of the games you can play can be changed and they look reasonably good. Other sound effects in the game are also really good such as when you complete lines the sound effects are really smart. Also as you gain levels and it starts getting hectic the sound effects speed up a little. Overall both of the graphics and sound effects are reasonable.

DIFFICULTY & LONGEVITY

Both of these aspects vary to be fair mainly because Tetris is the type of game that can be played again and again and again after years and years. Its also the type of game that can be hard especially when the games get faster but as you play it more it does seem easier and you do get the hang of it eventually. Its basic common sense on what to do and its quite easy to understand all the playable games. Each game lasts a certain amount of time some games may only last a few minutes depending on your skill level and what game you are playing. The controls are very easy and overall its a simple game that can be enjoyed by many. Also these games can last a lifetime so that's another good thing.

ACHIEVEMENTS

There are a total of 40 achievements on this game and most are earned from doing certain things like get so many lines or reaching a certain amount of points. There are also a couple of online achievements that are probably going to be impossible to get unless you have friends that have the game because nobody plays it online nowadays. Overall there is a decent mix of achievements but some are pointless.

PROS

• There are lots of different playable games in the game that offer a bit of variety.
• Some beautifully designed background each with their own soundtracks.
• Change the skin to each game to suit you and the games get faster and faster.
• The sound effects are still great and the music is even better.
• Its Tetris and a lot of fun.

CONS

• The graphics are a little weak but it doesn't alter the game much in terms of quality.
• Online is dead and its hard to find people to play with.
• Fairly simple game when you master it and the multiplayer options on the same console are poor.
• Some gamers might get bored easily if they play it a lot.
• Might not be everyone's cup of tea.

FINAL THOUGHT

Tetris Evolution is my favourite Tetris games and one of the only Tetris games that I have because it adds something different with the backgrounds, multiple games and features. Its fun to play in my opinion and can last forever.

Its a shame the online play has died because online play was really good at the time and definitely a plus point. Also it is one of the best looking Tetris games ever.

I would recommend the game if you like a good puzzle game that offers fun. If you love Tetris then this is for you and if you don't then its probably best avoided as that is all it is. The game manual is quite good and lists all relevant information needed. Also the game has an age rating of 3+ and is suitable for all gamers.

The price of the game varies but it doesn't seem to be dropping below £10 which in my opinion is a little pricey for a Tetris game. The game cost me around £12 which included packaging and the game still sells on Amazon for around that price mark. I think its worth it mainly because its Tetris. I have recently bought my mum a copy of the game for Christmas too.

Overall Tetris Evolution is an okay game and I would give it a 7/10!

Review also on dooyoo under the username: simon020187!