Excellent game.Played it for about an hour and got pretty far. The gameplay is top-tier Tetris. The visuals are phenomenal. The audio is phenomenal. The OST is phenomenal. Overall, an excellent game. So why the thumbs-down?

Three words: Forced-Arbitration Clause.

What is a forced-arbitration clause? Put simply it is a section in a EULA or TOS that legally disallows you from taking the company to court should you have a dispute with them, instead forcing you to go through a third party arbitrator hired by the company to settle disputes.

I completely understand that frivolous lawsuits do happen and companies have every right to protect themselves from them. But when the solution that literally everyone in the industry is using to get away from them involves the end-user literally signing away their rights then they've stepped too far. While that's bad enough, most companies offer a way to opt-OUT of forced arbitration (when they so GRACEFULLY opted you IN without your consent, sticking the clause at the end of the EULA hoping you'll never see it). Enhance, however provides no method to opt out of this clause in the EULA it is infesting, (that I saw, anyways. Please correct me if I am wrong) forever binding you to the whims of some third-party company should they screw you over in some way that requires recompense. Remember: Arbitration companies are part of an INDUSTRY. An industry in business to make money. Enhance is paying them to arbitrate cases for them. Who do you think most arbitration companies side with in most disputes, the end-user with the dispute who ISN'T paying them or the major company that is?

I will, unfortunately be refunding this game because of this. Don't let major companies make you sign your rights away. Read every EULA thoroughly. Clauses hidden near the end of a long EULA like this is how Activision-Blizzard gained ownership of every single map, campaign, mod, total-conversion, etc etc ever created by end-users in Warcraft III: Reforged.

It sucks because I was enjoying this game, too...

Maybe I've become overly emotional I'm my old age but I'd never have guessed that playing Tetris while listening to uplifting pop music about world peace as dolphins gracefully jump and play across my screen would be a thing that tears me up. But here we are....

Easily the best iteration of Tetris since the Game Boy/NES versions.

If you have any interest in Tetris whatsoever get this game now! Perfect game for the Deck as I think Tetris has always been best on a handheld console.

In the realm of video games, certain titles transcend the label of mere entertainment and ascend to the status of art. Tetris Effect: Connected, the brainchild of Enhance, undoubtedly belongs to this esteemed category. It's not merely a Tetris game; it's a testament to the enduring legacy of Alexey Pajitnov's masterpiece, a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of nostalgia, innovation, and breathtaking artistry. From the moment its debut trailer graced the screens at E3 2018, showcasing a hypnotic visual journey synchronized to the hauntingly beautiful melody of Hydelic's "Connected (Yours Forever)" and teasing a scientific study about Tetris dreams, the gaming community knew something extraordinary was on the horizon. This wasn't just another iteration of the iconic puzzler; this was Tetris, reborn.

For years prior to the release of Tetris Effect, the gaming landscape had witnessed a deluge of Tetris titles, many of which fell short of capturing the magic of the original. Often relegated to budget releases or mobile platforms, these iterations often lacked the polish, the innovation, and the sheer artistry that Tetris deserved. Tetris Effect: Connected emerged as a beacon of hope, a shining example of how a classic game could be revitalized and reimagined for a modern audience while retaining the core elements that made it a global phenomenon.

Enhance, the studio helmed by the visionary Tetsuya Mizuguchi, approached the development of Tetris Effect: Connected with a profound reverence for the source material. They meticulously studied the intricacies of Tetris, consulting with hardcore players and delving into the nuances that make the game so endlessly captivating. This dedication is palpable in every facet of the game, from the meticulously crafted visuals to the profoundly immersive audio design.

The single-player journey in Tetris Effect: Connected is akin to a psychedelic odyssey through a kaleidoscope of vibrant, otherworldly landscapes. Each stage pulsates with life, reacting to the player's actions in a mesmerizing symphony of light and sound. The music isn't merely a background track; it's a dynamic, ever-evolving composition, organically generated by the player's gameplay. Every rotation, every line clear, every Tetris contributes to the sonic tapestry, weaving a rich and immersive auditory experience that transcends the boundaries of traditional game audio.

This immersion is further amplified by the optional VR support, transforming the game into a truly transcendent experience. Donning a VR headset, players are transported into the heart of the game, surrounded by a breathtaking panorama of swirling particles, pulsating lights, and mesmerizing geometric patterns. The Tetrominoes, the fundamental building blocks of Tetris, become tangible entities, floating in the virtual space and responding to the player's every movement with a satisfying physicality.

Beyond the captivating single-player experience, Tetris Effect: Connected introduces the groundbreaking "Connected" mode, a cooperative multiplayer experience that adds a novel dimension to the traditionally solitary world of Tetris. In this mode, players team up to battle colossal, awe-inspiring bosses, their actions synchronized in a mesmerizing ballet of falling blocks. This mode demands teamwork, communication, and strategic coordination, transforming the familiar gameplay of Tetris into a thrilling cooperative challenge.

The "Zone" mechanic, a unique addition to the Tetris formula, allows players to briefly slow down time, granting a precious window to strategize and execute complex maneuvers. This mechanic adds a layer of strategic depth to the gameplay while simultaneously enhancing the aesthetic beauty of the game, allowing players to savor the intricate visual effects and dynamic animations in slow motion.

The sheer depth of customization options in Tetris Effect: Connected further underscores Enhance's dedication to catering to both casual players and seasoned Tetris veterans. Players can fine-tune everything from the appearance of the Tetrominoes to the minutiae of the control scheme, tailoring the experience to their individual preferences. These options, while seemingly minor, speak volumes to Enhance's commitment to creating a truly personalized and refined Tetris experience.

Tetris Effect: Connected is more than just a game; it's a cultural phenomenon, a testament to the enduring power of simple mechanics executed with unparalleled artistry. It's a meticulously crafted experience that pays homage to the legacy of Tetris while simultaneously pushing the boundaries of what the game can be. It's a must-play for anyone who appreciates the beauty of video games as an art form and a powerful reminder that even the simplest of concepts can be transformed into something truly extraordinary.

This is Tetris, reborn. This is Tetris, perfected. This is Tetris Effect: Connected.