Tetris Effect: Connected Could Be a Sleeper Hit on Xbox Game Pass

[HARDY]

One of the pleasant surprises of the most recent Xbox Games Showcase was an improvement on one of the best puzzle games ever made, Tetris Effect. First released on the PlayStation 4 with a heavy focus on PSVR support, the game was later released to PCs as well. Although there that initial focus on the amazing experience in virtual reality, the quality of the gameplay sucked people in even if they didn't wear a headset. No matter what platform or preference of choice of head covering, the latest rendition of the eternal falling blocks puzzler wowed just about everyone with its chill vibes and amazing soundtrack.

However, one thing was missing, a feature that was prevalent in the other great Tetris experience of 2019, Tetris 99. Tetris Effect was all about community and togetherness, which didn't gel with the traditionally competitive aspects of the franchise. Therefore, the game did not have multiplayer, unless you count high-score chasing on the leaderboards. Perhaps less important but still relevant, the game never released on Xbox One, something that happened with several notable third party games in the last generation. This newly announced rendition of the software fixes all those glaring issues.

Described as a robust multiplayer expansion by the developers at Monstars Inc. and Resonair, Tetris Effect: Connected will add competitive and cooperative play to the game's already existing single-player modes. In addition, the game will take full advantage of the Xbox ecosystem, including Smart Delivery between Xbox One and Xbox Series X, availability on Xbox Game Pass, and visuals rendered in 4K at 60 FPS on Xbox Series X and PC.

Mizuguchi continued that multiplayer was a highly requested feature for the game and one that they wanted to deliver. "Tetris Effect: Connected is our attempt to do just that: connect all different types of people, in cooperation or competition, via our universal love of Tetris."

Modes described for the new multiplayer include Zone Battle, which is an enhanced version of competitive Tetris that includes the time-slowing effects from Tetris Effect's campaign. In the titular Connected mode, players will team together on one giant Tetris board to take on puzzling boss battles. Both modes have matchmaking support and work cross-play across both Xbox consoles and Windows 10 PC.

Tetris Effect: Connected comes to Xbox platforms this holiday. Later in 2021, other versions of the game on PlayStation platforms, PC, and Occulus will receive the upgrade, including likely cross-play support with the Xbox player base. Going into today, many likely didn't know they'd want a reason to return to Tetris Effect, and it's a nice surprise to get one in between the bigger games announced by a goliath publisher like Microsoft.

[CGTitan]

Well good. A more robust multiplayer experience is what Tetris needs. I mean, when it first came out for the Game Boy, it had multiplayer of sorts via the link cable. A little primitive compared to Tetris Effect: Connected's systems, but it served the purpose it needed to.