Tetris needs no introduction. I have played it, you have most likely played it, and everyone I know has touched a version of it. Its popularity far exceeds that of video games and has become a cultural icon. Moreover, there were plans for a sci-fi trilogy of films based on Tetris, followed by an actual biopic about the licensing of the original game. It’s been the subject of countless research papers, coining the term “Tetris Effect.” The reach is massive and will continue to be for decades to come, and the latest entry in this storied lineage of games is Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye-.
Tetris: The Grand Master is a series specially designed for skilled players wanting more of a challenge. Initially released in 1998, this version became a series and expanded to home consoles in recent years. While the series is mainly designed for arcades, the latest entry is the first to be natively released on PC. While Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye- is an excellent version of Tetris, it also suffers from a rocky PC release.
Become a Master in Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye-
The core gameplay of Tetris has remained unchanged for decades, but I will still quickly explain it. In short, Tetris is a puzzle game about lining up blocks. Four blocks join up to make shapes called Tetriminos, and you must place them as they fall. When you line up a row of blocks, the line will disappear. The longer you play, the faster the Tetriminos fall, making it harder to make complete lines. When you overfill the area, the game is over. The goal is to get as many points as possible while not overfilling the area.
In Tetris: The Grand Master 4, you are given the option of playing the Standard or TGM versions of the game. TGM has slight variations in block rotation, dropping, and overall handling, making the game harder and faster. You can play all the game modes in the control scheme you prefer. In Marathon (Standard)/Normal (TGM), you play the core Tetris game that’s stayed the same for years. Asuka is meant for intermediate players. Tetriminos drop much faster, but there is a rewind-like function called backstep.
Master is the next step, offering you the most significant challenge as Tetriminos drop at top speed. Konoha is a less traditional mode where the blocks are bigger and you are guided on where to place them. When you clear out the area, you unlock part of an illustration, and after three clears, you unlock the whole thing, but be quick, there is a time limit.
The last mode is Shiranui, where you face a CPU and unlock harder tiers each time you win. There is an in-depth practice mode, showing you how to do specific block placements, and a replay function that lets you watch and even play previous saved games. You can also play against a friend locally. There is no shortage of ways to play here, and I can’t praise that enough.
Falling back in love with Tetris
I have always liked Tetris. It was easy to grasp, and the endless replayability made it a quintessential game for me growing up. As I got older, I would stop playing, but I would rediscover my enjoyment of the franchise later on. The last time that happened was seven years ago when Tetris Effect came out, Tetris: The Grand Master 4 has reminded me why I loved Tetris and made me want to improve.
Before now, I had never attempted Tetris’s TGM control scheme. I loved watching high-level players, but it always looked intimidating. After a couple of rounds of standard Tetris, I finally switched to TGM for this review, and I’m glad I did. The changes are noticeable, but they do make it feel fresh. This game, I had played for most of my life, felt new again, and I felt myself falling back in love with Tetris.
I switched between both control schemes and try to improve with each, including Asuka and Master. I’m having a great time in Asuka and Master, despite not lasting too long in each mode. Konoha has been a pleasant surprise as well, and I’m actively trying to unlock all the illustrations. Shiranui is also a lot of fun, and I can’t wait to unlock more tiers. I’ve enjoyed each game mode and can’t wait to put more time into each.
A rough launch but hopeful future
While this is some good Tetris, one glaring problem holds it back. The PC launch for Tetris The Grand Master 4 has not been smooth. On launch, it had major issues with keyboards. The game is buggy, and you want it running as smoothly as possible with a game like Tetris. I have also experienced my share of bugs, including one that didn’t let me play the game. It kept triggering Windows Defender for a full day and would not launch. Reinstalling the game did nothing. It was at least working fine on Steam Deck that day, so I could still play.
While this launch had its fair share of issues, the developers actively listen to the community. The keyboard rebinding issue was resolved in the first patch. The Steam forums contain dev posts discussing development updates, known bugs, and potential fixes. The game’s current state is still rough, but it works for the most part. There is still much to do, but I have faith in the dev team, even if it might take a while.
Despite its issues, Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye- is a solid version of Tetris, and I will continue playing it. I have rediscovered a love of Tetris and genuinely can’t wait to play more. The game is getting better, but there’s work that needs to be done. Even after all that, it’s not hard to recommend Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye- right now, but it can certainly reach a state where this can be one of the best Tetris games to dive right into.
Disclaimer: ARIKA provided a PC (Steam) key of Tetris: The Grand Master 4 -Absolute Eye- to Final Weapon for review purposes.
