Tetris Worlds

Infobox VG| title = Tetris Worlds


developer = Radical Entertainment Blue Planet Software 3d6 Games
publisher = THQ
designer =
engine =
version =
released = 2001, 2002, 2003
genre = Puzzle
modes = Single player, multiplayer
ratings = ESRB: E
platforms = Gamecube, Playstation 2, Xbox, Game Boy Advance, PC
media =
requirements = System: PII 233 or equivalent RAM: 32 MB Video Memory: 4 MB
input =

Tetris Worlds is a version of the popular video game Tetris. It was originally released in 2001 for PC and the GBA. It later was released for the Xbox, Gamecube, and PlayStation 2 in 2002. In 2003, an Xbox Live capable version was released for the Xbox. Also in 2003, Tetris Worlds and were compiled on a single disc. The disc was bundled with Xbox systems. [ http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/action/starwarstheclonewarstetrisworlds/index.html?q=Star%20Wars:%20The%20Clone%20Wars Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Tetris Worlds] ] This compilation disc is also not backwards compatible with the Xbox 360.

Blue Planet Software developed the PC and PlayStation 2 versions, Radical Entertainment developed the Gamecube and Xbox versions, and 3d6 Games developed the Game Boy Advance version.

tory

The story in "Tetris Worlds" resembles that of the film "The Last Starfighter".All information is quoted directly from the Xbox game manual.

The Tetrions

The Minos

The Mission

Gameplay

Gameplay consists of normal Tetris games. However, there are several game modes, tweaking the way the game works.

tory mode

The player can send their Mino Tetrinaut to six different worlds, where he/she plays the Tetris variant of that world. When the player plays enough of that world, more Minos are rescued. The better the player does, the more Minos rescued. They will then work to create the world into a home for Minos.

Arcade mode

This mode is where the player plays two-minute Tetris games of any variant. This is also where multiplayer games are played. The Arcade mode variants are listed as follows:
*Tetris: A normal Tetris game, where the player plays until he/she loses. Losses occur when the Tetriminos reach the top. "Go for a Tetris".
*Square Tetris: While the player plays Tetris, they also must try to combine Tetriminos into squares. Lines cleared containing 4x4 Tetriminos cause large bonuses. "Go for a Square".
*Cascade Tetris: The player must try to clear lines that cause Cascades. Cascades occur when a cleared line cause other Blocks to fall and clear another line. "Go for a Cascade".
*Sticky Tetris: Players must try to clear the bottom line of "Garbage Blocks". Same-colored Blocks stick together in this mode, hence the name. If 25 same-colored blocks connect, a Critical Mass is formed and are cleared from the Matrix. "Clear the Bottom Line".
*Hot-Line Tetris: In this mode, there are six "Hot-Lines" in the Matrix. The player must try to clear lines that are on the Hot-Line. Lines cleared anywhere else earn no points. "Go for a Hot-Line".
*Fusion Tetris: In this mode, there is a "Fusion Block" at the bottom of the Matrix. Players must try to connect falling "Atom Blocks" to the Fusion Blocks. Atom and Fusion Blocks are not cleared in line clears, and clearing a line containing an Atom or Fusion Block causes a Cascade. "Activate the Atom Blocks".
*Popular Tetris (GBA Version Only): In this hidden mode the game is set up the way the original Tetris game was. The player clears lines to score points and after every 10 lines the level goes up. Scoring increases on higher levels and there is no time limit.

Critical reception

While Tetris Worlds did receive some good reviews ( [http://www.gamerankings.com/itemrankings/launchreview.asp?reviewid=264993 Gaming Age] , for example), it generally received mediocre and negative reviews [ [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/tetrisworlds/review.html?mode=web List of reviews for PS2 version of Tetris Worlds] ] .

In the PS2, PC, and GBA versions, gameplay contained one major difference from a normal Tetris game. In classic Tetris, when a Tetrimino touches the bottom of the screen, it locks in place. However, in these versions, the Tetrimino does not lock until the player makes it lock, allowing him/her to rotate and move the piece until the player liked it the way it was. Critics said that this made the game too easy and GameSpot said that it "broke Tetris" [ [http://www.gamespot.com/ps2/puzzle/tetrisworlds/review.html GameSpot Review for PS2 version of Tetris Worlds] ] . However, the GBA version features a hidden version of classic tetris(titled "Popular" tetris) that plays without this feature. It is accessed by holding the L button and pressing select on the "Marathon" game select menu. However, since it is not part of the "Default" presentation, many reviews did not factor in this mode.

In the Gamecube and Xbox versions, the "Easy Spin" feature was made optional. However, they still received mostly mixed reviews [ [http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/puzzle/tetrisworlds/review.html?mode=web List of reviews for Gamecube version of Tetris Worlds] ] , with the Xbox Live compatible version receiving the highest reviews [ [http://www.gamespot.com/xbox/puzzle/tetrisworldslive/review.html?mode=web List of reviews for Xbox-Live compatible version of Tetris Worlds] ] .

References