Tetris Effect

Tetris Effect
Developer(s)	Monstars Inc. Resonair Stage Games
Publisher(s)	Enhance
Platform(s)	PlayStation 4, Windows, Oculus Quest, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
Release	PlayStation 4 WW: November 9, 2018 Windows WW: July 23, 2019 Oculus Quest WW: May 15, 2020 Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One WW: November 10, 2020
Gameplay info
Next pieces	1-4
Playfield size	10 × 20
Hold piece	Yes
Hard drop	Yes
Rotation system	SRS

Tetris Effect is a single player game featuring music and visuals that react to player actions. It is the first official console release since Tetris Ultimate in 2014.

Tetris Effect was released for Windows, with support for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, on July 23rd. It is, available for purchase on the Epic Games Store and will be available on Steam in Summer 2021. A port for the Oculus Quest was released the following year.

An updated release, named Tetris Effect: Connected, was announced for the Xbox series of consoles and will be released on November 10, 2020, with a free update for other platforms expected to be released on Summer 2021. This release adds multiplayer modes in addition to the single-player features within the game.

Gameplay

Tetris Effect features standard Guideline rules for gameplay; several features such as IRS/IHS, hold piece, and piece preview count can be changed in the Settings. Each stage has its own themed block design; however, the player may also switch to a Traditional (Guideline-colors) block design for improved visibility.

Zone mechanic

The main mode of Tetris Effect, Journey Mode, features a new mechanic named "Zone". By filling up the Zone meter with performing line clears, the player can then trigger Zone, where the gravity temporarily stops and any lines cleared are pushed to the bottom of the playfield. Zone ends when the time meter runs out or the player tops out; the bonus score amount given afterwards is determined by the number of Zone lines cleared. The maximum Zone duration is 20 seconds, while the current maximum amount of lines clearable in Zone is 22.

Grading and Scoring

Scoring is carried over from other Guideline games; the player receives a certain grade (from D to SS) based on their final score in a mode.

Journey Mode

The main mode of the game, with 27 stages total. The stages are split into different areas, where they are unlocked one by one as the player progresses. Each stage has 3 sections, each with a different gravity level. The line goal per stage is determined by the selected difficulty: 30 lines for Beginner, 36 lines for Normal, and 48 lines for Expert, respectively. The final stage, Metamorphosis, has a 90-line goal, regardless of difficulty selected.

Effect Modes

Marathon

Standard fixed-goal Marathon mode. Clear at least 150 lines to complete the mode. Endless can be toggled on, and starting level (up to 15) can be selected.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	500,000
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

Ultra

3-minute score attack mode.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	35,000
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

Sprint

40 lines time attack mode.

Scoring

Grade	Time
SS	<1:10
S	<1:20
A	<1:40
B	<2:20
C	<3:20
D	>3:20
E	Fail

Master Mode

20G mode with 30 speed levels, each with a progressively decreasing lock delay value. Clear at least 300 lines to complete the mode. Starting M-level can be selected prior to starting the mode.

Scoring

Grade	Lines
SS	150
S	130
A	100
B	50
C	20
D	1
E	0

Chill Marathon

Marathon mode, but topping out will reset the playfield instead of netting a Game Over. Starting level is selectable; the player can also choose between Random or Fixed piece sequences. The line goal amount can be selected between 150 to 600 lines in multiples of 30.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	300,000
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

Quick Play

Play one of the available stages with selectable fixed level and line goal amount, ranging from 30 to 600 lines in multiples of 30. Much like Chill Marathon, Random or Fixed piece sequences are switchable.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	10,000
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

Playlist

Play through a set of 4 similarly-themed stages in succession. Much like in Chill Marathon, topping out will reset the playfield instead of netting a game over; Random or Fixed piece sequences are switchable. The player can also change the background music prior to starting one of the three available Playlists:

• Sea – The Deep, Dolphin Surf, Mermaid Cove; Jellyfish Chorus
• Wind – Da Vinci, Balloon High, Deserted; Sunset Breeze
• World – Prayer Circles, Zen Blossoms, Jeweled Veil; Karma Wheel

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	40,000
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

All Clear

Perform as many perfect clears as possible within a 1-minute base time limit, using the given stacks and piece sequences. Each successful perfect clear will add a time bonus.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	30
S	26
A	20
B	???
C	???
D	???
E	???

Combo

Perform as many combos as possible within a 1-minute base time limit, using the given stacks and piece sequences. Each successful combo clear will add a time bonus.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	120
S	???
A	???
B	50
C	30
D	1
E	0

Target

Clear as many gem blocks as possible within a 1-minute base time limit. Each gem block cleared adds a time bonus.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	30
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

Countdown

Score as many points as possible within 5 minutes. One or more I pieces drop into a random column on the stack every 10 piece drops. Endless can also be toggled on.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	55,000
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

Purify

Clear as many violet and gray garbage blocks as possible within a 3-minute time limit. New "infected" blocks are added to the stack every 30 seconds.

Scoring

Grade	Blocks Purified
SS	450
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

Mystery

Marathon mode, but new random mechanics are set for a particular time period, such as Big Block pieces, restricting Hold, etc.

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	400,000
S	???
A	???
B	???
C	???
D	???

External Links

• Official home page

Videos

• Launch Trailer
• Mental Blocks - Mini-Documentary