TetraLogical

[quote][url=https://store.steampowered.com/curator/32732116-IndieGems/]Follow our curator page: [b]IndieGems[/b] if you like and want to see more reviews like this one.[/url][/quote] [i]TetraLogical[/i] is a turn-based strategy game in Early Access in which the goal is to obtain the most optimal score with your random given pieces across a board filled with numbers 1-12 in each block. The game can be played single-player or local MP currently, with plans to implement online MP eventually. What is there right now is a set of maps/grids with a level editor as well. There are single-player modes that are purely the player working on the highest score or best moves, with or without a time limit. The standard mode removes blocks after they have been used. There is a Blitz mode there now that gives you a map that refill the blocks that you have used and the goal is to score as high as possible before the timer runs out. (Best possible move will yield extra time.) The developer is working on two more game modes at the moment. From what I can gather, one will be trying to score as high as possible with limited number of moves, and the other will be more of a puzzle type. You can play multiplayer modes currently locally or against computer AI. You can have 4 total players at the same time. This can also be played with a time limit per move, and if you happen to run out of time before placing your piece down, you lose your turn. (The pieces that come in are the standard [i]Tetris[/i] pieces, but the fundamental concepts are nothing alike.) There's a level editor, so you can always generate your own levels/maps. I think for this game I really want to have online multiplayer to be able to play with friends in a casual/semi-competitive setting. While there are different AI levels available, so far I have played against one called "LogiBot" and got my butt kicked. I think it's fine to play against AI, but it would be more fun to laugh and joke with friends while trying to outdo each other. Unfortunately we will have to wait some time before we can play across the internet. I also don't know how local MP would work out, I imagine you would have to keep switching the mouse among you and the other players. In a game where you want to have a tight time-limit per move, I do not think this can be easily done. With unlimited time and in a more casual setting, this is totally okay. It's not really a game I can see myself playing solo for a long time in any one sitting currently, but I really like the idea of it. It's RNG levels with some strategy. Add on top of that timed elements that give you some additional stress, the game can become quite challenging. There are Global Leaderboards in place for this game. I haven't looked at them all, but there are a lot of categories. Plus the achievements look like they are really hard to obtain. So for someone who really gets into it, the achievements and leaderboards could mean many hours of score-chasing. Fortunately I am not OCD, but I will definitely plan to come back to this game in short sittings and hope for a good and stable online multiplayer integration. There are some small errors/bugs in place, but nothing game-breaking from what I see. Being a single-developer indie project, game mechanics, gameplay modes, and useful features are more important right now for sure. I played only a little bit so far, and I plan to play more, especially with future updates. This is definitely a high-intensity game, especially with the timed modes, and I really do want to play with friends. Here's my first-look gameplay video: https://youtu.be/vzjVmvy7OFM [h1]Controls[/h1] Mouse works well, keyboard also works (I prefer mouse). [h1]Graphics[/h1] Colorful, with neat pixel art for maps. [h1]Music[/h1] Quite a few tracks to choose from, can select/change at any time during gameplay. [h1]Conclusion[/h1] [i]TetraLogical[/i] already has quite a few maps/levels in place, with two out of four single-player game modes ready for playing. In addition, the multiple player functionality only supports local play so far, but there are a lot of AI options to choose from. The Steam leaderboards and achievements will keep some people occupied for a long time. Currently in Early Access with a motivated and very friendly developer, I hope to see good changes in the time to come. The $4.99 USD price tag is pretty reasonable too, given what clearly is a game that has some unique thought and strategy built-in. Even though some parts can be high-stress, there are casual and untimed mode for those who do not want to deal with time limits at all. I think if you are unsure about it, it doesn't hurt to give it a try. [quote]I received the product for free. I did not receive any compensation to write this review. The opinions represented here are entirely my own and were not influenced in any way.[/quote]

A really fun and challenging game. I would like to see online multiplayer added but for now the challenge of beating the AI is enough for my simple brain. Great visuals and most of the 14 music tracks are decent. Full video review here : https://youtu.be/ny1BBMwByMk Twitch : https://www.twitch.tv/silentpepe

A simple idea leads to a very entertaining strategic puzzle: given a board (shapes are varied) filled with squares numbered one to twelve, the player gets a Tetris-like shape as a mask to put on the board and maximize the score. During the game the remaining numbers may get scattered and so strategy might be involved since choosing the maximum score every time might not be the optimal way to go. Ultimately, a game is over when no shape can fit among the remaining tiles, and the scores are tallied. The developer is enthusiastic, responsive and very active adding new features and modes (vs player, vs AI, solo, blitz) and refining the interface. Since it can be played solo (or vs) with no timers, this game is also good for those like me who prefer not to be hassled.

First of all, this game is amazing. Music is fitting so well. (I'd buy the OST, if it was available) Actually the game os missing 2 things: steam coop, and "the next piece" And, as a wish... I wish there was just a tetris mode. With this music and visuals, it would be just perfect.

Fun, addictive game, a good way to kill time and challenge yourself. I particularly like the competitive elements, which gives it plenty of replayability. This, combined with the many achievements and different CPUs, gives the game a sense of purpose which keeps it interesting and prevents it from getting too repetitive. The interface and art look clean and colourful, and the game has a nice variety of pleasant soundtracks. For only £4 it's definitely something worth popping into your library :)

This game has a great retro feeling, and awesome music. It's like a superpolished game for the Commodore Amiga in the nineties. Interesting gameplay, and it's fun to play together. Sweet with the level editor also! Looking forward to updates.

I didn't initially get to grips with the concept as i was expecting something more akin to a traditional Tetris puzzle. I think it could benefit hugely from a small tutorial that explains the concept, i had no idea what i was doing just blindly placing shapes. So, the actual point of the game is to place your shape on to the play area, to achieve the highest score possible with that shape. each space is numbered from 1 to 12 so the highest score for any move is 48 (finding 4 spaces with a score of 12 per space which your current shape can fit on to) There's various modes, some of which seem silly at first, the blitz mode which gives you a timer to play against and rewards getting the highest score with additional time. It requires such fast recognition to get good scores though i feel its one for the savants to enjoy and would probably benefit from getting a score in the top 75 percent for each move has a sliding reward scale to keep play interesting, i found it tedious and unrewarding just panicking each move and hoping i was right. The limited moves mode however is a nice and relaxed way to play, something that doesn't press you to rush, allows you to take your time to check over your next move and inevitably kick yourself for not spotting the highest scoring move for that turn. Equally frustrating but also knowing its your own lack of skill rather than any unfairness on the part of the game, gives it that addictive quality because you know you can do better if only you apply yourself mentally. In the vein of the best puzzle games i found myself in a state of relaxation which the chill out sound track certainly helps towards. I'd say that for £2.99 I've spent on this game that limited mode will more than pay its way.

Wow, this is an amazing and original game, it certainly gets you thinking but keeps you hooked as well! A very refreshing change to tax the grey matter. Oh, and that soundtrack too......... Buy it now, you won't regret it!!!!!

A great puzzle game that's similar to concept, but spins the core concept into different kinds of games. There are different kinds of game modes and each is interesting & fun in their own way 😛

Has to be one of the most dull & pointless games I've wasted money on.