Tetris Forever Preview: A Love Letter to Gaming History

Tetris Forever Preview: A Love Letter to Gaming History

As someone who has spent countless hours stacking blocks and clearing lines in various versions of Tetris over the years, I can confidently say that Tetris Forever looks like it will be a delightful trip down memory lane for long-time fans of the iconic puzzle game. The inclusion of Tetris Time Warp, with its unique challenges based on different eras of Tetris history, is an innovative twist that adds a fresh layer of excitement to the classic formula.


As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring legacy of Tetris, a classic that may not boast a globally recognized mascot like Super Mario or a menagerie of merchandisable creatures akin to Pokemon. Yet, its impact is undeniable, making it one of the most successful gaming franchises ever, on the brink of celebrating its 40th anniversary!

Recently, we were privileged to participate in an exclusive, non-playable demonstration of a new game called “Tetris Forever.” During this session, we received a broad explanation about the game’s organization, witnessed several classic versions of Tetris being played, and had a detailed glance at Digital Eclipse’s unique creation, “Tetris Time Warp,” which is part of the compilation.

Tetris Forever Pays Homage at Every Turn

Similar to how the Gold Master Series titles were structured previously, the game Tetris Forever organizes its interactive museum into distinct chapters or timeframes. In total, there will be five separate timelines to delve into, each focusing on a specific era of Tetris‘ history, including its inception and partnership with Nintendo. These timelines feature text passages, archived footage, and documentaries, all crafted to offer fans an understanding of how Tetris has evolved throughout the years.

After understanding the background of each game within Tetris Forever, players can dive right into gameplay using a timeline as their entry point. During a sneak peek provided by Game Rant, Digital Eclipse began by demonstrating the earliest version of Tetris, which was developed by Alexey Pajitnov in June 1984 for the Electronika 60. The team at Digital Eclipse shared that authentic copies of this original game are now scarce, so they’ve worked diligently to recreate it as authentically as possible.

During this demo, elements such as sounds, controls, and graphics were all presented that accurately represented a 40-year-old version of Tetris. The game, named Tetris Forever, also includes various visual additions to resemble the original 1985 release. While playing, the screen border adjusts to mimic the console or PC on which the classic game was first launched, adding an extra layer of authenticity to Tetris Forever.

15 games are set to be included in the upcoming game called Tetris Forever. This collection spans from the original Tetris on the Apple II and Tetris 2 for the Famicom, all the way to Tetris Battle Gaiden for the Super Famicom and Super Bombliss DX for the Game Boy Color. Among the popular versions of this classic puzzle game, Tetris Forever also houses some less common editions, some of which have not been released outside of Japan before.

Tetris Forever doesn’t have the ability to encompass every version of the classic game Tetris from the last 40 years. Digital Eclipse noted during a preview that certain exclusions were due to complications with licensing and rights. (paraphrased)

Tetris Time Warp Embraces and Celebrates Nostalgia

Tetris Forever Preview: A Love Letter to Gaming History

In every title from Digital Eclipse’s Gold Master Series, there’s always an original game included. For instance, in the game Tetris Forever, the unique game is Tetris Time Warp, which Game Rant’s preview predominantly highlighted. However, it’s important to note that while Tetris Time Warp initially plays like any typical version of the block-dropping puzzle game, things get quite exciting on level 10.

Once you’ve cleared ten lines in Tetris Time Warp, a special Time Warp Tetromino appears. This unique block rotates through four distinct visual themes, each representing a different era in Tetris history. After you place this block, your game screen shifts to the time period that the Time Warp block symbolizes. For example, placing a Time Warp block from the 1984 version of the game transports you back to 1984, modifying the sound effects, visuals, and gameplay dynamics to match the original era’s characteristics.

In this game, players are sent back in history and presented with tasks tailored for each period. These tasks come with a 15-second countdown, varying from clearing four rows to setting off a large explosion (Bombliss). If they accomplish these missions within the time frame, they earn points and advance to the next historical era. The cycle repeats until the player either reaches the modern age again or fails to complete their time-constrained task.

In the game called Tetris Time Warp, there will be three distinct periods, yet it will feature four Time Warp Tetrominos. The fourth Time Warp block is golden and symbolizes the contemporary era of Tetris. Unlike other blocks that transport players back in time, this golden one does not do so but instead triggers a landslide, clearing a significant area of the screen to help any players who are struggling.

Everything Included in Tetris Time Warp

Tetris Time Warp is set to launch with four distinct gameplay options. The primary mode, Time Warp Score, challenges players to amass the highest score they can. Additionally, there will be a 3-Minute Time Attack, Modern Marathon, and 1989 Marathon. The latter pays tribute to the Game Boy version of Tetris, featuring its own extended rendition of the classic theme song.

Players can display their Tetris Time Warp abilities among friends as the game accommodates 4-player splitscreen multiplayer. In the local co-op mode, the Time Warp mechanics function uniquely. Instead of transporting a player back in time, placing a Time Warp Tetromino sends an opponent to an earlier era. While in the past, a player cannot send lines completed to their opponents, making them defensively focused until they rejoin the present.

Tetris Time Warp
will not have online multiplayer or leaderboards at launch.

Overall, it appears that Tetris Forever is gearing up to be an impressive tribute to the rich history of Tetris, making it an engaging experience not just for hardcore fans but also for those with a casual curiosity about the development of video games over time.

The classic game “Tetris” will be released on November 12 for Nintendo Switch, personal computers (PC), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and the latest Xbox Series X/S.

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2024-10-31 15:25