Tetris Story
Tetris fused with contemporary casual mechanics
Tetris Story is a vibrant and unique game that combines the familiar, beloved Tetris mechanics with elements inspired by modern casual games, along with refreshing and exciting twists. It places a strong emphasis on creativity, both in gameplay and in the meta-progression mechanisms.
My Role
I began my role in the team as an art director, participating in the project's establishment from day one and overseeing all the initial preparations. I was involved in recruiting and training the creative team. Later, I replaced the creative director and led the entire creative team, which included concept artists, UX/UI designers, animators, copywriters, and sound designers. As part of my role, I also guided the creative vision of the game and contributed to developing and testing new mechanics.
The game's plot and progression unfold in a virtual world inspired by the original Tetris brand, featuring unique elements and nods to its rich history. This world, where the player encounters squarish and small creatures, is filled with mystery despite its joyful and sunlit atmosphere. The bright and sweet design draws inspiration from the clouds that accompany the islands in this world.
Gameplay
Our dedicated research team developed Tetris Story's gameplay by testing various innovative mechanics. We selected the ones we enjoyed most and combined the best elements that give the player control while maintaining interest and surprises at each level.
The gameplay combines basic Tetris mechanics with moves inspired by casual games. Players clear levels by eliminating all targets within a set number of moves, using power-ups and boosters.
Clear Targets
Throughout the levels, different targets appear in various combinations. To clear them, players must perform actions like repeatedly clearing lines with descending Tetromino shapes, activating power-ups to explode on the target, or guiding the target to the bottom of the matrix by clearing lines.
Activate Power-ups
In classic Tetris, the shapes are known as Tetriminos, each comprising four colored squares called Minos. In Tetris Story, power-ups are called Super Minos, honoring these squares. Generated and activated within levels, each Super Mino has a unique ability: the Propeller clears a single target, the Rocket clears an entire line, and the Cube spawns several Minos to help clear multiple lines simultaneously.
Before starting each level, players can choose different combinations of Super Minos to be added to the matrix at the beginning of the level.
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Players can purchase Super Minos or obtain them as prizes from various features and events.
Use Boosters
In addition to power-ups, players can activate boosters to aid their progression. Boosters like the Hammer, which clears a single Mino, and the Dice, which generates a different Tetrimino, can be earned from various features and events, or purchased. Unlike Super Minos, boosters can be activated anytime during the level and don't count as a move.
Meta Progression
Tetris Story features a builder meta-progression mechanic. Players collect Stars for each level completion (along with coins and other prizes). These Stars serve as a currency for developing the vibrant, colorful world where the main character resides.
Throughout their journey, players advance in meta-progression by completing Islands with different themes. Each Island is divided into three Areas, each representing a sub-theme (for example, a recreation Area within a desert Island). These Areas are constructed from diverse and unique Tetris-inspired structures that the player builds.
Screenshots from the builder's tutorial
Meet the Blockies
The Blockies are small, square-shaped creatures that accompany the player on their journey through the isometric, Tetris-inspired game world. They inhabit various Islands and appear alongside the player at different key moments in the game.
Some Blockies also appear on different screens and features, such as the Banker Blockie, who is present when the player enters the shop and makes purchases.
Meta Features
As part of expanding the main game loop and enhancing interest and engagement, Tetris Story includes several meta features. This section highlights two of them.
Streak Treat
When a player successfully clears multiple levels in a row without being eliminated, they will earn a reward of Super Minos, which will be added at the start of the next level. The longer the player keeps their winning streak, the greater the reward becomes. Players can build up to a streak of three victories, gaining increasing benefits as they go.
Tetris Chase
This feature prominently displays the brand name at the center of the screen and takes the player on a journey to collect letters and various prizes. Progress in this feature is determined by clearing rows, the main gameplay mechanic of the game.
