Tetris® Effect: Connected

Developer: Monstars Inc.
Release: Aug 17th 2021
Platforms:
Casual
Indie
Addictive
Beautiful
Innovative
Immersive
Pricey
Tetris® Effect: Connected Poster

" Mesmerizing casual indie with innovative zone mechanic but occasional crashes and high price "

Tetris® Effect: Connected Review

Tetris® Effect: Connected is widely regarded as a masterful evolution of the classic Tetris formula, blending addictive gameplay with mesmerizing visuals and an adaptive soundtrack. Players praise its immersive atmosphere, innovative "zone" mechanic, and multiple modes including a compelling Journey mode and multiplayer options. The game is noted for being both relaxing and challenging, appealing to both Tetris veterans and newcomers. Many highlight the VR mode as a breathtaking experience that elevates the sensory impact of the game.

While the core gameplay remains true to traditional Tetris, the game’s artistic presentation and music create a unique, almost meditative experience. It’s considered highly replayable though some players feel the content is somewhat limited for the price. Technical performance is generally stable, but occasional crashes are reported. Overall, Tetris Effect: Connected is celebrated as a visually stunning, deeply engaging puzzle game that redefines what Tetris can be.

Highlights

Players consistently praise the game’s stunning visuals and dynamic, adaptive soundtrack that reacts to gameplay, creating a captivating audiovisual experience. The innovative "zone" mechanic adds strategic depth, while the variety of modes, including multiplayer and VR support, enrich replayability. The Journey mode is especially noted for its emotional and meditative qualities, making the game feel like more than just Tetris. The responsive controls and smooth gameplay mechanics are also frequently highlighted.

Criticisms

Common criticisms focus on the game’s price point, with some players feeling the content quantity does not fully justify the cost. A few mention the visual effects can sometimes cause distraction or reduce clarity in gameplay, especially on non-VR displays. Some users report occasional crashes and minor bugs. Others find certain difficulty spikes frustrating or feel the multiplayer can pit them against opponents with seemingly inhuman speed. The limited customization options and UI design also received some negative remarks.

Pros

  • Mesmerizing visuals and adaptive music create a unique sensory experience.
  • Innovative "zone" mechanic adds strategic depth to classic Tetris gameplay.
  • Multiple game modes including Journey, multiplayer, and VR support.
  • Highly addictive and engaging for both newcomers and Tetris veterans.
  • Smooth, responsive controls enhance gameplay satisfaction.
  • Journey mode offers emotional and meditative gameplay moments.
  • VR mode provides an immersive and breathtaking experience.

Cons

  • Price considered high by some for the amount of content offered.
  • Visual effects can sometimes reduce clarity during intense gameplay.
  • Occasional crashes reported, affecting stability for some players.
  • Multiplayer matchmaking can be frustrating against very fast opponents.
  • Limited customization and clunky menu navigation noted by users.
  • Difficulty spikes in some levels cause player frustration.
  • Some players experience headaches or eye strain from visuals.

Rating Criteria

Story
Difficulty
Graphics
Duration
Stability
Worth the Price
Capsule image

Tetris® Effect: Connected adds an all-new robust multiplayer expansion to the huge variety of addictive and innovative single-player modes that Tetris Effect is known for, with all-new co-op and competitive online and local multiplayer modes!

Release Date Aug 17th 2021
Publisher Enhance
Developer Monstars Inc., Resonair, Stage Games
Platforms

User Reviews

Very Positive (5,075)
95% Positive 5% Negative

Online Reviews

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Metacritic
93