Tetris Effect

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

Tetris Effect is a single player game featuring music and visuals that react to player actions. The game was released on November 9, 2018, exclusively for the PlayStation 4. 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 23, 2019. It is available for purchase on the Epic Games Store. A version for the Oculus Quest was released May 15, 2020.

An updated release, named Tetris Effect: Connected, was announced for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Windows 10 (exclusively through the Microsoft Store and Xbox Game Pass) on July 23, 2020, and was released on November 10, 2020. The Connected update will also be released on existing platforms and on Steam in Summer 2021. This update added new multiplayer modes to 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 Options. 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 by performing line clears (x lines, depending on difficulty in Journey Mode or phase in Zone Battle, charges a quarter of meter), 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. After that, completed lines disappear from the bottom of the playfield with an explosion. The maximum possible Zone duration in Journey Mode is 20 seconds.

It was initially thought that 20 zone lines was the maximum possible to be cleared, since this is the height at which pieces spawn, but it was discovered that higher clears were possible when the last piece was able to clear multiple lines or with the use of IHS. Kirby703 was the first player to achieve this a 21 line Zone clear, with developers later renaming the clear a Kirbtris (initially displayed as an Ultimatris). She later achieved a 22 line Zone clear as well, displayed as an Impossibilitris. Although a 23 line Zone clear is the maximum theoretically possible, this requires 10 I pieces laid across the top of the screen vertically, a feat that would require very specific luck and use of IRS/IHS. In the multiplayer modes added in Connected, higher clears are possible due to the added garbage mechanics and boss attacks offering additional strategies.

When at least 8 lines have been filled during Zone, a color inversion effect known as Zone Brilliance is applied to the entire screen. You can adjust the severity of this effect in the graphics settings, which allows a choice between "MIN", "MID", and "MAX".

Zone clear names

ZONE clear name	Line clear amount
Tetris	4-7
Octoris	8-11
Dodecatris	12-15
Decahexatris	16-17
Perfectris	18-19
Ultimatris	20
Kirbtris	21
Impossibilitris	22+

Scoring in Zone

During Zone, there is a multiplier applied to all points earned during Zone. Score values are +1x for every clear of an Octoris (eight lines) or more. If Zone is activated when fully charged (20 seconds), an additional +1x multiplier is also applied, thus making a 3x multiplier the highest possible. Points earned from line clears are not immediately added to the score display and are delayed until Zone ends, which also awards a bonus of +100 for each line cleared during Zone.

Grading and Scoring

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

List of Stages

Stage Name	Appearance	Unlock condition
Main Stages
The Deep	Journey Mode, Area 1, Stage 1	Available by default
Pharaoh's Code	Journey Mode, Area 1, Stage 2	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Karma Wheel	Journey Mode, Area 1, Stage 3	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Jellyfish Chorus	Journey Mode, Area 2, Stage 1	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Da Vinci	Journey Mode, Area 2, Stage 2	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Prayer Circles	Journey Mode, Area 2, Stage 3	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Ritual Passion	Journey Mode, Area 2, Stage 4	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Deserted	Journey Mode, Area 3, Stage 1	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Dolphin Surf	Journey Mode, Area 3, Stage 2	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Downtown Jazz	Journey Mode, Area 3, Stage 3	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Spirit Canyon	Journey Mode, Area 3, Stage 4	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Jeweled Veil	Journey Mode, Area 4, Stage 1	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Forest Dawn	Journey Mode, Area 4, Stage 2	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Kaleidoscope	Journey Mode, Area 4, Stage 3	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Turtle Dreams	Journey Mode, Area 4, Stage 4	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Celebration	Journey Mode, Area 4, Stage 5	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Sunset Breeze	Journey Mode, Area 5, Stage 1	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Aurora Peak	Journey Mode, Area 5, Stage 2	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Zen Blossoms	Journey Mode, Area 5, Stage 3	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Yin & Yang	Journey Mode, Area 5, Stage 4	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Hula Soul	Journey Mode, Area 5, Stage 5	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Starfall	Journey Mode, Area 6, Stage 1	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Balloon High	Journey Mode, Area 6, Stage 2	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Mermaid Cove	Journey Mode, Area 6, Stage 3	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Orbit	Journey Mode, Area 6, Stage 4	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Stratosphere	Journey Mode, Area 6, Stage 5	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Metamorphosis	Journey Mode, Area 7	Complete the previous stage in Journey Mode
Special Stages
Space Sprint	Sprint Mode	Available by default
Gilded Horizon	Ultra Mode	Available by default
Space Race	Master Mode	Available by default
Mandala	All Clear, Combo, and Target Modes	Available by default
Rose Horizon	Countdown Mode	Available by default
Rebirth	Purify Mode	Available by default
Hidden Stages
1989	Unlockable	Participate Weekend Ritual or reach XP Level 50
1984	Unlockable	See Codes below

Journey Mode

The main mode of the game, with 27 stages total. The stages are split into 7 different areas, where they are unlocked one by one as the player progresses. Each stage has 3 sections, with a different speed level per section. 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. Only non-Zone cleared lines count toward the goal. Practice Mode is also available, which allows the player to progress through the first four areas with no game overs and low gravity levels.

Speed Levels in Journey Mode

Stage	Beginner			Normal			Expert
The Deep	1	1	1	1	2	3	6	7	8
Pharaoh's Code	2	2	2	3	4	5	8	9	10
Karma Wheel	3	3	3	4	5	6	10	11	12
Jellyfish Chorus	1	1	3	1	1	5	6	6	10
Da Vinci	1	3	1	1	5	1	6	10	6
Prayer Circles	3	1	3	5	1	5	10	6	10
Ritual Passion	1	3	7	1	5	9	6	12	15
Deserted	4	2	2	6	3	3	11	8	6
Dolphin Surf	2	7	3	4	9	6	10	15	12
Downtown Jazz	2	6	2	4	8	5	9	14	10
Spirit Canyon	1	3	8	3	5	10	8	10	16
Jeweled Veil	2	2	4	4	4	6	9	9	10
Forest Dawn	5	5	5	7	7	7	12	12	12
Kaleidoscope	5	7	2	7	10	3	12	16	8
Turtle Dreams	6	6	6	8	8	8	13	13	13
Celebration	1	6	9	1	8	11	6	15	18
Sunset Breeze	4	1	4	7	3	7	12	8	12
Aurora Peak	3	6	7	5	8	9	10	13	16
Zen Blossoms	1	4	6	3	6	8	8	11	13
Yin & Yang	9	5	3	11	7	5	16	12	10
Hula Soul	1	7	10	3	10	12	8	16	20
Starfall	6	9	4	9	12	7	15	18	12
Balloon High	2	9	3	5	12	6	10	18	11
Mermaid Cove	4	4	7	7	7	10	12	12	14
Orbit	4	6	8	7	8	11	13	14	17
Stratosphere	8	9	10	10	11	13	16	18	20
Metamorphosis	7	4	10	10	7	13	16	13	20

Effect Modes

This section contains 11 different game modes, categorized into 4 groups. In Marathon, Chill Marathon, Quick Play, and Mystery modes, the player can choose one of the available main or hidden stages to play on. All other modes have their own unique stages.

Classic

Marathon

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

Scoring

Grade	Score
SS	500,000 + Clear
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

20G mode with 30 speed levels, each with progressively decreasing lock delay and line clear delay values. Clear at least 300 lines to complete the mode. Initial 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

Relax

In these modes, topping out will reset the playfield and score counter instead of netting an instant Game Over. Piece sequences can be toggled between Random or Fixed.

Chill Marathon

Marathon mode, but with no instant Game Overs. Initial level is selectable; the line goal amount can also be adjusted 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.

Scoring

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

Playlist

Play through a set of 4 similarly-themed stages in continuous succession. 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	???

Focus

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	100
A	80
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	???

Adventurous

Countdown

Score as many points as possible within 5 minutes. One or more I pieces drop into a random column on the stack every 2, 5, 8, or 10 piece drops. Endless can also be toggled on; the mode ends when the player tops out.

Scoring

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

Purify

Clear as many grey garbage and violet "infected" blocks as possible within a 3-minute time limit by. New infected blocks are added to the bottom of the stack after a certain number of clears or after failing to clear infected blocks at certain time intervals.

Scoring

Grade	Blocks Purified
SS	450 + Clear
S	400
A	300
B	200
C	100
D	1

Mystery

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

Scoring

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

Multiplayer Modes

The following modes are added in Tetris Effect: Connected. Ranked, Friend, and Local Match sub-modes are available; the latter two sub-modes also have additional settings in all multiplayer modes.

Connected

Co-op multiplayer mode. 3 players, each with their own playfield, must battle against an A.I.-controlled boss in a fourth playfield. As the boss makes line clears, a meter fills up, which when filled, attacks the other players with a random mechanic modifier. The 3 co-op players must then make line clears to fill up a special Zone meter. When the Zone meter is full and activated, the 3 players' playfields merge together and collapse all blocks to the bottom via cascade gravity. While in the Zone, the players must make as many lines as possible within the shared playfield; special purple pieces may also drop at certain locations to push down blocks and fill any gaps. Once the Zone time limit ends or a player tops out, the resulting Zone line clear amount is then converted to a solid garbage attack towards the boss. If one or two of the players top out, the other(s) may also fill up a meter to revive a dead player by performing line clears. The mode ends when all 3 players top out or the boss tops out. 5 areas of difficulty are available, and Maniac Mod may also be toggled on to increase the overall difficulty of the boss.

A special version of the mode, Connected VS, is also available during Weekend Rituals. Here, a fourth player can play as the boss on the fourth playfield; the boss can also switch between Attack or Defense meters for attacking the other 3 players and clearing the solid garbage on the playfield, respectively.

Zone Battle

Standard versus mode, with the addition of the Zone mechanic from Journey Mode. When a player enters the Zone, the line clear amount and clear types made during the Zone period is then converted to an attack towards the other player, also equivalent to the number of sent garbage lines. However, the player may also block an incoming garbage attack by entering the Zone and clearing enough lines to cancel the attack. An attack bonus based on the total Zone lines cleared is applied after the normal garbage lines sent. Received garbage is delayed and will not appear on the field until the first drop made without clearing a line.

Zone Bonus Attack

Lines Cleared	Zone Charge
	25%	50%	75%	100%
1	1	1	1	1
2	2	2	2	3
3	2	3	3	4
4	3	4	4	6
5	4	5	6	7
6	4	6	7	9
7	4, 1	6, 1	8	11
8	4, 2	6, 2	9	12
9	4, 2	6, 3	10	13
10	4, 3	6, 4	10, 2	15
11	4, 4	6, 5	10, 3	15, 1
12	4, 4	6, 6	10, 4	15, 3
13	4, 4, 1	6, 6, 1	10, 5	15, 4
14	4, 4, 2	6, 6, 2	10, 6	15, 6
15	4, 4, 2	6, 6, 3	10, 8	15, 7
16	4, 4, 3	6, 6, 4	10, 9	15, 9
17	4, 4, 4	6, 6, 5	10, 10	15, 10
18	4, 4, 4	6, 6, 6	11, 10	15, 12
19	5, 4, 4	8, 6, 6	12, 10	15, 13
20	5, 5, 4, 4	8, 8, 8	14, 14	17, 17
21	6, 6, 6, 6	8, 8, 8	16, 16, 4	18, 18, 10
22	8, 8, 8, 8	8, 8, 8	18, 18, 10	20, 20, 12, 20
23	10, 10, 10, 10	8, 8, 8	20, 20, 20	20, 20, 20, 20

A comma represents a break in garbage sent, e.g. [20, 20] will send two 20 line attacks.

In Friend and Local Matches, the Zone mechanic can be toggled off for a more traditional battle game. Other options include garbage spawn and timing type, Hyper Mod (faster DAS and shorter line clear delay), Randomizer type, Zone Attack power multiplier, etc.

Classic Score Attack

This mode uses the gameplay mechanics and visual styles from Tetris (NES, Nintendo) and the versus format seen in the Classic Tetris World Championship (CTWC). Each player must aim for a score higher than the other before both top out by clearing lines. No garbage is sent in this mode. Initial speed level is selectable before the start of a round.

In Friend and Local Matches, several parameters, such as battle type, line clear goal limit, horizontal movement type, and score amounts for each line clear type can be adjusted prior to starting a round.

Score Attack

Uses the same format as Classic Score Attack, but with Guideline mechanics instead. Several parameters, such as scoring template, constant speed level, and time limit, can be adjusted in Friend and Local Matches.

Weekend Ritual

During certain days, a Weekend Ritual event is held, where all players must accumulate a set number of points by playing one of the four Effect Mode sub-groups (Classic, Relax, Focus, or Adventurous) during a limited time period. Reaching the score goal before the event ends will unlock new avatars for paticipating players. The 1989 stage can also be unlocked by participating in a Weekend Ritual.

Codes

Key: L = Left, D = Down, U = Up, R = Right, A = Select, B = Back

• 1984 Stage: UUDDLRLRBA

When entered successfully on the title screen of the game, the player is taken to a Electronika 60 homage, where the following code can be input using a keyboard: 06061984. After entering the code and pressing Enter, the 1984 stage is unlocked.

External Links

• Official home page
• Tetris Effect: Connected on the Microsoft Store

Videos

• Launch Trailer
• Mental Blocks - Mini-Documentary