Mino Review
This review is actually a very simple one… The biggest thing you need to know about Mino is that you’ve got a Tetris-like game (okay, it’s a lot more Tetris than “Tetris-like”) game that you can play multiplayer… online.
Okay, if that’s something you’re interested in there’s not a lot else to go into. You already know that this is a game you’re interested in and you can scroll down to the “Buy Now” button and get started. Sure, I’ll go into things a little more in the review, but you have made up your mind with three words “Online Multiplayer Tetris”.
And if you’re scratching your head and wondering what those three words mean… first of all, welcome to the world of gaming, and secondly, read on.
Sure the game is called “Mino” and I’m not trying to slight it in any way, but the devs knew that they were making a Tetris clone so I can only describe it like I see it. It’s a Tetris clone, but that’s not a bad thing. Popular games are cloned all over the app store and if you can do something the original didn’t do, you’ve got a chance for the student to become the master.
Let’s first go with the game play of “Mino”. Various patterns of blocks will fall from the top of the screen heading towards the bottom. You can rotate and move the blocks any way you want all with the goal of getting those blocks to form complete lines from side to side. Once that happens the line (or lines) disappear and you score points. If you leave holes in your lines things will begin to pile up and if you don’t take care of things before they reach the top, your game is over.
The idea of the game should be well known by everyone and is very easy to grasp. The controls for the game are just as simple. To rotate the blocks you simply tap the screen. You can swipe with your finger to bring the blocks side to side or bring it down quickly. There is even some time once the block hits the bottom to slide it into place, which is a good thing since things get pretty crazy quickly. Oh, and there are other control modes as well so you can find one that you like.
And speaking of modes, there are two different single player modes to play. There’s the standard mode, which is just what you think, and then you have “Glacier” mode where you are battling lines coming up from the bottom as you play. This can get really maddening very quickly.
But all of that is basically Tetris and you can find that game all over the app store. Where “Mino” does what it can to become a bigger fish is with its online multiplayer status. And this is definitely an improvement. Now you can play against people all over the world and see how good your Tetris skills fare.
In this mode when you create a line you can send your garbage over to the others to make their life harder. There’s a good sense of tension that develops from this. To make it even better you’ve got the ability to earn Stealth power-up to make your board invisible to the others and make it so you can’t get any of their garbage lines.
Problems with the game? Not really. I guess the only thing I can really say is that it’s taking a little while to build up the community. The game fills the spots with computer opponents so you don’t miss it totally, but you really want to know that you’re up against a human on the other end.
It’s hard to pass this up. You’ve got a version of the game that is the whole reason the word “Classic” was invented and you can put your skills up against the world. Nothing left to do but enjoy.
The Good
Multiplayer/Online Tetris!
Read The Above A Few More Times
Nice Control Scheme
The Bad
Not Enough Folks On Line… Yet
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Category: Games
I tried out Mino and really like it. I’ve been waiting for a cheap Tetris clone, and this fits the bill. Perhaps not as polished as the original “real” Tetris, the game play of Mino is basically the same, has online gameplay (though not many users) and high score board. I have not played Tetris on a handheld since the old Gameboy days, do it is taking some getting used to. I love the touch control play. I highly recommend Mino!
I really like this game. I have been waiting for a Tetris clone for a while, as well, I’ll say it…I didn’t feel like paying $5 for the real Tetris. This was a steal for a buck! I love the game play. The colors, the sounds, the online play is great (though I agree with Bob that more people need to start playing it!) It is a very worthy Tetris clone, and the best I’ve seen yet!
well for a dollar I might get it, I am worried the tetris people might attack it like they did tris though….
Just noticed that this game just went on sale for a buck… Let’s hope that gets more people on line!
Check it out…
bob