Block Knights Review
Just recently I reviewed a game called Perimetros. I thought that is was pretty unique to have the Tetris theme moved to all four walls instead of just the basic “falling to the floor” feel that Tetris brought with it. But I also thought the game lacked a bit of the charm of the original and was a little slow to play.
Block Knights is finally a game that brings Tetris kicking and screaming into the modern age and will have fans dreaming (or having nightmares) of falling blocks all over again.
Much like Perimetros, Block Knights uses the familiar Tetris looking blocks and allows gravity (thank you accelerometer) to decide which wall you’re working on. Perimetros tried to make its mark by making you form a perimeter around the center, and while being original, it just took way to long to get going and lost it’s fun.
Block Knights brings us back to what we like… forming lines of blocks that go away as soon as we make them. This works really well for me and made the experience a lot more enjoyable more me.
The controls are also very, very good. I hate to make this a comparison review, but you’ll remember that I really had a tough time with the controls of the other game. This is not the case with Block Knights. Everything moves very smoothly and there is now “jerky” feeling with the movement of the blocks. The blocks move like they’re in water – very smooth.
I think Block Knight also had the right idea to keep the “blocks” looking a little more like… well… Tetris Blocks. The other game had the same basic shape, but it was done with little ball bearing things and it didn’t quite feel right. You’ll have those old feelings kick in right away while playing. The back ground also has some nice cartoony images of knights doing battle to go with the theme of the game.
The modes in the game are what also helps it stand out. You’ve got the basic “hey I just want to play a four wall Tetris mode” – okay, it’s called Infinitas, but my name gives you a better idea of what’s going on. Arcadia mode adds a little bit of a time limit to the game. The more lines you make the more time you get to play. In “Guillotine” you have a very limited time for each block to be placed. This mode really gets the heart racing and can really drive you crazy.
The last mode is one that seems to be the reason for the theme. In “Quest” mode you have to defend your castle from attackers. They appear as blocks on the field and the only way to get rid of them is to make them a part of a line of blocks. I found that this really gave a nice story type of feel to the old Tetris theme.
I was impressed with the quality of sound on the game. Granted, I play most of my games with the sound off, but I like when I feel a rich, full sound come out of the machine for a while before I turn it off. Block Knights has that nice feel to it.
My only gripe with the game is the lack of a global scoreboard (which seems to be my “go to” gripe when I’m trying to find “something”). I also wish that the blocks would fall after you knock out a line. This would make Quest a little easier since the “mobs” keep appearing in places that make it hard to get to sometimes, but that’s just me looking for an easy way out.
Overall, the game is very polished and will give Tetris lovers something to lust after all over again. You might even feel like you’re cheating on Tetris with a younger, prettier version.
The Good
The “new” Tetris we’ve been wanting
Perfect Controls
Good use of variety in modesThe Bad
No Global Scoreboard
No Achievements
Pretty dame hard at times
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Category: Games
Congrats to schmidty the winner of the app!
nice looking game. Adds some differences to the classic tetris formula. Good review.
This looks like a game that will keep me playing for a couple of hours on my ipod touch.
Thanks again for the review.
i like tetris so ill probably like this. Also, the backgrounds are pretty cool designs too.
It looks like a fun tetris game where I can play tetris at multiple places, compared to the traditional tetris.
i agree with inogard. Global scoreboards arent that big a deal, plus im never good enough for them. Looks like a good app.
looks like tetris, which i like alot.
This is a neat looking game. I’m a big fan of the art style for the background.
I don’t quite get the appeal for a global scoreboard. They are usually topped by people who have figures out how to cheat or glitch the system, and therefore almost useless.
nice looking puzzle game. Pretty cool.
cool looking game. I dont have many puzzle games so this looks cool.
four walls? that looks pretty hard lol
and the graphics in the backround look kind of like patapon
wow really fantastic puzzle game …
would be really happy to win it!
Nice looking modern Tetris-style game for the iPhone/iPod!
Wow looks like a really cool puzzle game.
this looks definitly like a good game….
i have tetris and its fun
hope its nearly the same….
Oh I hope it has better controls than perimetros. I’m ready to become a block knight, your majesty!
This looks interesting. I’m liking that the blocks “move like they’re in water” I hate jittery movements in games. Smooth is better.
If this is the “new” tetris, then I will have to check it out!
Hey Guys thanks for checking out the game! Just wanted to point out that while we don’t have “achievements” we do have medals. A Bronze, Silver and Gold medal for each mode once you hit a predetermined score.
reminds me of tetris a little bit. Looks cool.
Not bad?
It’s tons better than most of the puzzle games in the app store
Not bad for a puzzle game.