As we know, the new generation of consoles is struggling to offer a very extensive launch catalog. Among the rare “exclusives” (quotes are required, we will come back to this …) is Tetris Effect Connected, announced last July during the Xbox Games Showcase. One of the only criticisms made against Tetris Effect in 2018, when it was still a PlayStation exclusive at the time, concerned the lack of any multiplayer mode. This gap has now been filled, thanks to the arrival of three relatively classic multi-competitive modes, and a very innovative cooperative mode.
Communication around the game was a bit confused, but things are now clear: Tetris Effect Connected is simply Tetris Effect supplemented by the presence of several multiplayer modes. Moreover, this Microsoft exclusivity is only temporary since a free update will be available in summer 2021 for owners of the PS4, Epic Games, and Oculus Quest versions. On this occasion, a version of the game will also be released on Steam. In the meantime, it is therefore imperative to turn to the side of Xbox consoles (Xbox One and Xbox Series) or Game Pass (including PC) to take advantage of the new features of this version of Tetris Effect, finally complete. All the solo content answers the call, and we enjoy finding the game’s Journey mode, which gives pride of place to the Zone function. As a reminder, completing lines allows you to fill a special gauge that maximizes the time spent in the Zone. Once this option is triggered, the Tetriminos will no longer drop, while completed lines descend to the bottom of the matrix instead of disappearing. When you leave the Zone, for lack of time or because you have filled the screen, you then get valuable bonus points. Another gateway to solo is available through Effects mode. This menu gives access to different variations, classified according to your “mood” (classic, relaxed, concentrated, adventurous). This original classification goes hand in hand with the general appearance of the game, with a zen and cosmic tendency.
The menus present us with a real galaxy, while the scenario invites us to reach an obelisk named Tetrimidion located in its center. As far as the soundtrack is concerned, the synthetic layers and the electro-pop melodies of the different songs have lost none of their strength. In short, Tetris Effect is still as effective! But this time, we can now enjoy it with several people, thanks to the online classified games, the private games and the local games. Note that the progression in multiplayer allows you to unlock 84 different avatars, made of elegant light points and slightly animated. We are entitled to four main modes, three of which revolve around two-player competition. Zone Battle uses the standard rules of Tetris Effect and allows you to throw disabling lines at the opponent. Score Attack revolves more or less around the same principles but asks us to achieve the best score. Finally, Classic Score Attack uses the rules of the older Tetris (no Zone, no reserve, no instant coin drop, and following line limited to a single Tetrimino).
IF YOU’RE SAD, PLAY TETRIS! (SORRY.…)
But the real star of the show is obviously the Connected mode which gives its name to the game. This time it is a cooperative mode with three players which offers us to face twelve “zodiac bosses”, grouped into four difficulty levels: Easy for Pisces, Sagittarius and Taurus, Normal for Libra, Cancer and Scorpio, Hard for Aries, Gemini and Virgo, and Very difficult for Capricorn, Leo and Aquarius (better known as “the best sign”. ..). Each of these bosses fills their own Tetris matrix, and unleashes special attacks on the three human players. Thus, we sometimes find ourselves having to place “double pieces” glued to each other, Tetriminos four times larger than normal, unorthodox pieces formed of only three squares, or others formed of five squares. That’s not all, bosses sometimes block rotation, sudden drop, or the ability to use the reserve. But their most perverse move is certainly the one which consists in making invisible the pieces already placed on our grid! Fortunately, the three players have a special asset to fight back. Completing lines makes it possible to fill a common gauge which, when full, triggers a transformation of the game screen. The three matrices then merge into a giant playing field, where everyone can place their Tetriminos as they wish. You can see other players’ pieces on the screen, and therefore take them into account to optimize the completion of horizontal lines (which, you will understand, are no longer ten squares wide, but thirty!).
After a while, the giant matrix splits again into three distinct areas, and handicap lines are sent to the boss depending on the number of lines just completed. This recipe works perfectly well and completely renews the Tetris Effect experience. However, we would not have spat on the presence of a competitive mode on a larger scale, of the Tetrinet type (memories, memories…). The game also makes some errors in terms of ergonomics since we are forced to leave a game that we have created if we want to change mode (which means that we have to say goodbye to our partners at the time and restart a matchmaking). We also regret the absence of an integrated tool to communicate with other players. Tetris Effect Connected apparently allows itself to replace players with bots, seamlessly, when a participant leaves the game unexpectedly. The intention is laudable (not to impose an unfair game over) but suddenly, we can find ourselves playing alone when we think we are still accompanied. These small annoyances do not detract from the overall success of the title, which is based on the Tetris Effect of 2018 to offer us a very pleasant multiplayer experience.
