The block drops, and you slip it into place.
The line zaps away.
The score multiplier blinks a new, higher number.
Tetris Forever will include a few games not officially seen outside of Japan, such as Tetris Battle Gaiden from 1993.© Image: Digital Eclipse
The next block falls.
The repetition of Tetris is engrained in gaming history.
Despite 40 years and over 50 titles sporting the Tetris name, every iteration has been essentially the same.
© Image: Digital Eclipse
How do you analyze the history of a game that hasnt changed?
Digital Eclipses first real attempt to do so with the interactive documentaryTetris Foreverpresents players with that very question.
Digital Eclipse,now owned by Atari, has built its legacy in gaming by obsessing over gamings legacy.
Henk Rogers sits across from Alexey Pajitnov during an interview for Digital Eclipse’s upcoming Tetris Forever. © Image: Digital Eclipse
Its a much more sober history lesson than the2023 filmwith all its spy thriller antics.
Like Digital Eclipses other titles, the game is formatted like a timeline.
Tetris aficionados might scoff at the fact there are only 15 different versions of Tetris on the disc.
Thats due to the current morass of Tetris licensing.
The game is the most ported title ever, securing a place in the Guinness World Records.
Its also a game in perpetual licensing hell.
Nintendo owns that license, and its not giving it up.
Then, theres the all-new version of Tetris.
Time Warp is also available for head-to-head multiplayer.
While battling their way out, they cant defend against any attacks.
Either way, its still Tetris.
Some versions of Tetris, including the earliest DOS versions, didnt include any music at all.
From what I played, theres something so detailed yet distinct about these emulations.
Its the game that keeps on going, no matter how many lines you clear.
Digital Eclipse hasnt yet determined if its making a physical edition, but that would have to come later.
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