Basic Gameplay
Tetris Effect: Connected is a package that includes the original single-player modes that made Tetris Effect a critically acclaimed puzzle game, alongside a robust cross-platform multiplayer expansion. You can play Tetris Effect: Connected on a TV or on a VR headset on compatible platforms.
In Tetris Effect, you manipulate falling Tetriminos, using them to form complete horizontal lines. You can put one Tetrimino in a “Hold” queue to be called on later, or activate the new Zone mechanic to stop time and rack up Line Clears for points or to avoid a game over.
New Mechanic: Zone
Players can stop time (and Tetriminos falling) by entering “the Zone,” a core mechanic of Journey, Zone Battle, and Connected game modes. The Zone gauge (shown above) charges by clearing lines. Once activated, cleared lines are moved to the bottom, allowing you to continue stacking. Different names are given to different amounts of lines cleared while in Zone. Entering the Zone can get you out of a sticky situation that could otherwise lead to a game over, or rack up extra Line Clears for bonus rewards.
Journey
This is the main campaign and the heart of Tetris Effect. After choosing from one of three difficulties (Beginner, Normal, Expert), players journey through a series of stages, each with their own theme, graphics, music, sound effects, etc. all of which sync to the gameplay.
Effect Modes
These are all the other modes in the game – a collection of varying settings designed to evoke different moods the player might be in (or want to be in), as well as varying skill levels.
Effect Modes are divided into four categories based loosely on what “effect” the player wants to come away with, i.e. chill out with “Relax,” concentrate with “Focus,” enjoy the familiarity/nostalgia of “Classic” modes or try something unique with “Adventurous.”
Multiplayer
Whether it’s ranked play against others around the world or just a quick unranked match against friends (online or local), Tetris Effect: Connected has you covered with four different multiplayer game modes.
MULTIPLAYER MODE: CONNECTED
Form a three-player team to try and defeat A.I.-controlled Bosses. Connect your Matrices as you all enter the Zone and clear Lines together to deal massive damage. (A unique variation of this mode, “Connected Vs.” allows a fourth player to control the boss character and fight against the team of three; this mode is only available for 24 hours every weekend during the “Full Moon,” which is the same timing as the Weekend Ritual in the single-player Effect Mode section.)
MULTIPLAYER MODE: ZONE BATTLE
A one-on-one competition played with standard Tetris Effect settings, with the key to victory being adept use of the time-stopping Zone mechanic. This mode is a great way to test out the skills you’ve built up in single-player.
MULTIPLAYER MODE: SCORE ATTACK
Another one-on-one competition played with standard Tetris Effect settings, only here, no Line Attacks are exchanged. If your score is higher than your opponent’s when both games end, you win. We think of it as “single-player competitive Tetris.”
MULTIPLAYER MODE: CLASSIC SCORE ATTACK
A one-on-one score-attack competition played using old-school Tetris settings, so no hard dropping, no ability to Hold a Tetrimino, only one piece is shown in the Next Queue, pieces spin a bit differently, they Lock Down immediately when they touch a surface, etc. This unforgiving version of Tetris is used in professional competitions such as the annual Classic Tetris World Championship.
Weekend Ritual
A special “Weekend Ritual” event runs for 24 hours each weekend, during which all players of the Weekend Ritual can play a specified mode to earn points towards a Community Goal. If 100% of that Community Goal is reached in the 24-hour period, a special in-game avatar will unlock for all players who participated in the event.
Soundtrack
The entire soundtrack for Tetris Effect: Connected is composed by Hydelic, the acclaimed artists behind the iconic music in Rez Infinite’s Area X and more recently Lumines Arise. For more information on the soundtrack/music from Tetris Effect: Connected, visit tetriseffect.game/music.
