SpinGrid: Core Block Puzzle

not dissimilar to [url=https://steamcommunity.com/id/dohi64/recommended/2687510]centrist[/url], but instead of rotating blocks coming from all directions, it's the middle that gets spun around after every block placed, twice after a clear. pieces always come from the top and you're going for 3x3 areas or bigger here, not lines. gravity doesn't affect remaining mid-air blocks and if a piece falls off to the bottom, or obviously reaches the top, it's game over. 3 unexplained game modes with individual online leaderboards. they're detailed on the store page, so why not in-game? relaxed has no speed increase, standard does, hardcore even more so. the core there is just a single block and sometimes new core pieces appear instead of matchable ones. all you need are left/right, rotate and hold to speed up falling (no instant drop). graphics are servicable, music is fantastic, controls are rebindable, settings are plentiful, though not available from the pause menu, the only major oversight. well, besides pressing esc there not closing the pause menu but going back to the menu, forfeiting the run. saving progress on exit would be preferable, plus a confirmation prompt. resolutions, windowed mode, v-sync, fps limit, separate audio toggles and volumes. toggles for anti-aliasing and the grid, a few options for the border and particle effects, percentage settings for the playfield and opacity. rotation can be instant or animated, there's a score pop-up toggle and a few comfort options for rotation and other stuff. though I'm not sure what the hide grid setting does in 'comfort+' when there's already a toggle elsewhere. the only thing missing is a hide timer option but text on the side is pretty small, so it's less intrusive than usual. the music alone was worth the 1 eur I paid half off, didn't even want to leave the menu. 14 tracks provide good variety but the game itself is fun too, worth looking into for a new spin on tetris.

It took me a bit to get used to (and take advantage of) the longer & oddly shaped bricks, also the 'sticky bricks' mechanic wherein for a split-second the current brick can sort of reverse gravity to fit into a tight space when quickly moving it right or left.. I love the core novelty of this game - The spinning playfield!.. Also the exploding brick sound and action is pretty satisfying and the music is fun, though I do find myself turning it down to minimum after a few minutes. 'Hardcore Mode' is now my favourite as you can build up the central core one mini gray block at a time & then get many more points when the 3X3 or larger core explodes! This game provides a great challenge and I've found myself playing it more than any of my other puzzle games over the past few weeks. It's easy to just turn on and play for 10 minutes if you don't have much time. The price is super reasonable, & I would definitely recommend giving it a go !