We all have those nostalgic games we have grown up with. When you think about classic video games, one game I think of is the classic Tetris. Tetris Forever is a puzzle game that showcases the game’s 40-year history through five interactive timelines. You also have the ability to play through many different versions of Tetris that have been created throughout the years. You also will find many videos and information that explains how the game has stuck around this whole time and is still relevant.

One of the main issues is that it’s not obvious how to start playing the actual game. As soon as you start the game, you’re brought into the timeline that explains the history of Tetris. However, while this is cool and interesting, we buy games to play games. After a bit of searching, I was able to find and start playing the actual game. I understand that this game is to celebrate and explain Tetris’ rich history, but the main focus should be the game itself. The timeline should have been in its own section of the game and the main game should have been front and center.

The game also doesn’t have many other features to give it more of a substance. Most games often have a separate  menu for settings, where you can change up the controls to make the gameplay more comfortable and change up the graphics. They could have added this option so that they wouldn’t have so many sections for the same game. You would be able to go to settings and adjust the graphics from modern to classic style. That way the game could have more features, like maybe a sound test so you could listen to the music synonymous with the Tetris legacy.

The timeline does give detailed information about Tetris and its conception. It talks about how the game started and how despite all these years, it has remained one of the most popular puzzle games ever. For the most part, this game is more like a museum dedicated to Tetris, than an actual game.  While it still has multiple versions of the game inside and plays really well, it is just the same game, just with a slightly different look to it. At the very least, you can play your favorite version of Tetris.

If you ever played Tetris before, you know exactly what to do since the game hasn’t changed since it was created. You can even play the original Tetris with the original graphics. Throughout the years, the only thing that has changed has been the graphics and the colors. Gameplay wise, it still plays the same way. You move blocks and try to create full rows and get a high score. The game even allows you to put your initials like a classic arcade cabinet, giving off a classic arcade feel to the experience. The game also has different versions of Tetris that have also been developed, but my issue is that the other games don’t really make sense in how they are played, which makes it hard for me to enjoy them. The games don’t have an obvious control menu, so when you try to play one of the other Tetris games, it is difficult to play and enjoy. Also, there have been different types of Tetris games that have more action pack gameplay, so they could have added those versions of the game, so there would be more of a variety while still respecting the legacy.

Tetris Forever gives off a classic feeling of playing in an arcade and getting a high score. While playing, hearing and seeing all the lights and sounds on the screen, reminds me of the days when I would go to the arcade and try to beat the high score. While I never did beat the score, I still had an amazing time and have fond memories. The more recent versions of Tetris have many lights and sound effects that make me excited everytime i beat my high scores.

In conclusion, Tetris Forever celebrates the rich history of Tetris with a timeline that explains how it was made and how it is still popular to this day. I honestly just think that the actual game should be front and center and easier to access. Not to mention it could have used more of a variety of Tetris games. Overall, I recommend this game for anyone who grew up playing Tetris or even grew up going to arcades when they were a child.

Score: 7 out of 10

Reviewed on PlayStation 5