Blocks That Matter: An Ode To All "Blocky" Game?

[Tanukitsune]

I picked this game on Steam yesterday and I could just call it "Tetris + Minecraft" except it's more than that!

The story is... kinda silly? Two game developers are kidnapped because they were working on something very awesome, except it's not a game it's a little robot called Tetrimo, a robot with Tetris powers.

You unlock more powers as you progress, but you can can drill and head butt blocks to destroy and collect them, once you have four you can create something with the four blocks, as long as it's "Tetris" shaped.

Each type of block behaves differently, sand falls down while sturdier blocks stay where you put them.

Each level has a hidden chest with an important block from gaming history, for example, I'll just say that you have to like think Super Mario Bros. to find the Super Mario Bros. block! Although sometimes you have to return to a previous level with a new power if you want to collect them all.

And for extra challenge you get a star if you beat a level by using the minimum amount of blocks, or you have to have the maximum amount of blocks and use as little of them as possible to reach the exit of the level.

The game has about 40 levels, plus the bonus ones, so they game will last a while, specially if you want to collect the extras and even more if you want to get all the stars (I'm just going to collect the secrets blocks myself).

It's only 4.50€ on Steam now, so why not give it a go?

[elmuerte]

I gave it a go

[Tanukitsune]

I just love trying to unlock the secrets just to see the whole "museum of block games"!

[toblix]

I looked it up on Steam, and it seemed pretty fun. However, the Alexey Pajitnov & Notch angle is so weird to me. Were they involved in developing the game in any way? Are they the actual main characters in the game?

[Tanukitsune]

Well, the people you have to rescue are called Alexey and Markus, they don't give them the full names, but it's pretty safe to assume that Alexey is Alexey Pajitmov and Markus is Markus Persson (Notch) but they didn't make the game, they are just in it?

I wonder why they didn't have the full names? It's obvious it's them and I assume Notch and Alexey are OK with this game, but maybe it's just to be safe?

[Forbin]

Yeah that's a really weird angle. The trailer makes it look like they're involved.

[Tanukitsune]

I think they don't use the full names in the trailer to avoid people from thinking this? Most people don't even know "Notch's" real name.

It can be a bit confusing, although the trailer says "Featuring", not "developed by"

To tell the truth, I didn't even notice that part of the trailer and I didn't really notice that I was rescuing Notch and Alexey until I started to play the game.

I've reached the next upgrade and as I advance I see more and more "Minecraft" blocks, as a matter of fact, you have to get ore in upgrade levels.

[elmuerte]

Almost half way. The puzzles are starting to get to the level were you will need to start planning ahead. One screw-up and you can redo it all.

The first 15 levels or so were a walk in the park, now I often have to redo a level.

[Tanukitsune]

Yeah, I'm at around level 30 and timing had become crucial and now I'm lucky to beat the level, screw the secret chest!

EDIT: I finally beat the game and unlocked all the secret blocks that reference other block games. Some are a bit of a stretch.... Rayman because of the cages? Metal Gear because of the box?

Edited August 21, 2011 by Tanukitsune

[elmuerte]

I really don't like Big Mamma.

Does anyone know what game this music track is based on? It sounds very familiar.

Actually, it's not just that track. Most track contain that same melody.

[Tanukitsune]

Hmm, it does sound familiar now that you mention it.

According to the author's site, he worked on Knytt Stories' music, come to think of it, it does sound like Knytt a bit?

Big Mama is the closest thing this game has to a boss, she's not too bad unless you want to get the hidden treasure or even worse, a gold star!

[elmuerte]

Argh! That hellfire level is my new meat circus. Most annoying part is the rather long intro sequence you have to skip through.

[Tanukitsune]

Argh! That hellfire level is my new meat circus. Most annoying part is the rather long intro sequence you have to skip through.

Are you talking about the one that's a trap with two buttons?

[elmuerte]

Are you talking about the one that's a trap with two buttons?

Yes, two buttons and a route past a lot of lava thingies.

[elmuerte]

sorry, the name of the level was "hellgate", not hellfire.

[Tanukitsune]

sorry, the name of the level was "hellgate", not hellfire.

If it's the one I think it is, then this might make things a bit easier, create the shape at the wood button, then a sand one and make the rest of the wood reach under the lava drops so it burns making the sand drop on the sand button.

You may have figured out that part already, so I'm guessing you're having trouble dodging the lava drops, which is understandable, this level is the trickiest timing-wise.

All I can advise is to try right after all the drops on the left fall at the same time, that's how I made it, if memory serves me well?

Hope that helps!

[elmuerte]

Yes I already managed to get past the level, but without getting the chest :/

[Tanukitsune]

The timing for the lava drops on that chest is ludicrous, but it can be done!

[elmuerte]

I know, I managed to get the bock a couple of times, only to be followed by getting killed in the regular route.

[Erkki]

This game is pretty good. Some of the puzzles are actually hard.

But too often the easiest (best?) solution is to skip getting that Block that Matters now and come back later when you have more powers. A couple of times it made me think whether I actually can get it now.

The only thing it lacks is checkpoints. Re-doing the mundane parts of the level because you screwed up the difficult puzzles is annoying enough that it usually makes me quit the game and come back later.

[Erkki]

hmph. it also doesn't help that 'reset' takes about 7 seconds.

[elmuerte]

I'm pretty sure you can't get some BTMs on the first try.

[Erkki]

I'm pretty sure you can't get some BTMs on the first try.

uh, yeah, I knew what I said came out wrong. I meant to say that it was clear that some were not possible on first try, but it wasn't always clear whether you could or not.

[Tanukitsune]

Aren't the levels short enough to not need check points?

The hardest one I remember is the lava one and that's just one screen.

[Erkki]

Aren't the levels short enough to not need check points?

Not really, IMHO. Also I could do without checkpoints if the reset function was quicker.