Tetris Forever, the newest entry in Digital Eclipse’s captivating Gold Master Series, is a fascinating journey through the history of one of the most iconic video games of all time. This series of games, essentially playable documentaries, offers a unique way to explore gaming history by weaving together interviews, archival footage, and playable versions of classic games. While the series has previously delved into the history of Atari and the creation of Karateka, Tetris Forever focuses on the story behind the global phenomenon that is Tetris.
The documentary aspect of Tetris Forever shines. It delves into the Cold War-era development of the game by Alexey Pajitnov in the USSR, the legal battles surrounding its rights, and the efforts of Henk Rogers, who brought Tetris to the world stage. Through insightful interviews with key figures like Rogers, Pajitnov, and others, Tetris Forever offers a captivating narrative of ambition, competition, and the triumph of ingenuity.
However, the game collection side of Tetris Forever falls short. While it does include important deep cuts like the original Electronika 60 version of Tetris and the Go game Igo: Kyu Roban Taikyoku (crucial for understanding Henk Rogers’ relationship with Nintendo), it lacks several key entries that are crucial to the story Tetris Forever tells. The absence of titles like The Black Onyx, Bullet Proof Software’s early Tetris versions, Nintendo’s Game Boy Tetris, Sega’s arcade Tetris, Tengen’s Tetris, and Welltris leaves a noticeable gap in the collection, making it feel incomplete.
The lack of detail and historical context surrounding the included Tetris follow-ups like Hatris and Bombliss also contributes to the uneven feeling of the collection. While some of these omissions can be attributed to licensing issues and the complexities of emulation, the overall impact is a collection that doesn’t fully live up to its documentary narrative.
Despite its shortcomings, Tetris Forever is a must-play for any fan of Tetris or those interested in gaming history. The documentary aspect is highly engaging, offering a unique perspective on the game’s creation and its global impact. However, the game collection’s limitations make it a somewhat incomplete experience. Hopefully, Digital Eclipse will follow the example of their Atari 50 collection and release updates, adding more titles to make Tetris Forever a truly definitive experience. Tetris Forever launches on November 12th for PC, PlayStation 4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch.
