Tetris Forever is a time machine disguised as a puzzle experience, all thanks to Digital Eclipse. The block-dropping and stacking game series is a video game staple. It’s something everyone has played at least once in their life, even if they’re not a “gamer”. Digital Eclipse makes this digital museum a place where you watch, learn, and play through gaming history’s most interesting series. There are over a dozen games to play, to include an original game from Digital Eclipse called Tetris Time Warp that make it just worth it, even if there are some glaring omissions.
Tetris Forever isn’t just another Tetris game collection. It’s a comprehensive archive, offering a staggering variety of Tetris experiences across multiple decades. We get classics like the original arcade Tetris and the iconic NES version, each faithfully recreated with their pixel-perfect charm, and exposure to lesser known titles like Hatris. It’s a museum of Tetris, allowing players to journey through the game’s rich history and witness its impressive adaptability.
Digital Eclipse deserves immense praise for the impeccable presentation. Each game comes with detailed information about its development and historical context. For Tetris enthusiasts, this is a treasure trove of knowledge, offering a glimpse into the creative decisions and technological limitations that shaped each iteration. It’s more than just a collection of games; it’s a celebration of a cultural touchstone.
Tetris Forever goes beyond simply offering a slew of Tetris games. The developers have included several thoughtful additions that enhance the overall experience. You can navigate a timeline to read, watch, and play the various points of the series history. While I thought I knew the story of the game, I gained so many new nuggets of information. You can even sort the games by year, name, and system that they appeared on. This isn’t new for Digital Eclipses’ “Gold Master Series” of games, but it’s a great inclusion to help get to where you want to be.
I do like that this also covers the inclusion of Tetris Effect. This alone doesn’t surprise me, and no you can’t play it in here, but Tetris Effect is such an astronomically good game, it helped revitalize the series for a whole new generation of players. It getting the credit it deserves, as part of Tetris‘ history is such a delight to behold.
While Tetris Forever offers a vast array of experiences, there are a few notable omissions. For instance, the iconic Tetris: The Grand Master series, popular in Japan, is absent. For me, the Game Boy version of Tetris that I spent so many hours on as a kid is another glaring omission. These exclusions are understandable, as licensing and legal issues can be complex and the reasons why they aren’t present. However, their absence might leave a small gap for hardcore Tetris aficionados.
Everyone will notice Tetris Time Warp, a new game for 2024 made by Digital Eclipse. This lets up to four players play between different eras of Tetris, allowing players to live out their best “Rocky Horror Picture Show” recollections. This can slightly bridge the gap on the missing Game Boy version of Tetris. It doesn’t make the whole experience come together, but its inclusion does feel like to pad out the overall experience.
Digital Eclipse has crafted a love letter to Tetris, a comprehensive collection that caters to both die-hard fans and curious newcomers across 40 years. The sheer volume of content, thoughtful presentation, and innovative additions like Remix mode make it an absolute joy to play. It’s a beautiful reminder of the game’s enduring appeal, a testament to the power of simple mechanics and elegant design. Whether you’re a seasoned Tetris veteran chasing high scores or someone with a vague recollection of that childhood Game Boy classic, Tetris Forever has something to offer. It doesn’t have all the Tetris games you’d want, and the Game Boy omission is palatable, but it’s worth the price of admission for this museum to ensure preservation.
A Steam code was provided by the publisher for review purposes
