Tetris, reviewed

Our take

There is not much to explain about Tetris, which is part of its appeal. Shapes made of four squares fall into a well; you move and rotate them so they lock into complete rows, and complete rows disappear. The official web edition runs in a browser tab with no installation and keeps the modern conveniences: a preview of the next pieces, a hold box, and a ghost piece that shows where the current shape will land.

Each level makes the pieces fall a little faster, so a game has a built-in arc. Early levels are calm and tidy; later ones become a test of reading the stack quickly. Because a game ends when the stack reaches the top, sessions tend to be short.

The free edition carries adverts between games, which is the trade-off for no price. It is a good fit for a short break with a clear end, and a poor fit for when you are already tired, when the speed starts to feel stressful rather than satisfying.

A first sitting

Keep the stack flat and leave one column empty along the edge for the long four-square piece. Use the hold box to save that piece for when the column is deep enough.

Where to stop

The end of a game is a real stop, which is rare. Decide on two or three games before you start. If you find yourself pressing restart before the score screen has settled, that is the moment to close the tab.