Digital Eclipse has announced that they’ll be dropping an update today for their interactive documentary, Tetris Forever, that not only includes a bunch of features and fixes, but also another Tetris title. That would be Spectrum Holobytes 1989 DOS version of Welltris.
What’s Welltris? I dunno. I don’t have much of an affinity for Tetris, which is why I skipped out on this entry in Digital Eclipse’s Golden Masters series. But I’m very quick when it comes to research, so I’ll tell you what I’ve learned.
Welltris is a follow-up that was actually worked on by Tetris creator, Alexey L. Pajitnov. Or, at least, he’s credited as such. It’s sort of a 3D take on the concept. It’s from a perspective that makes it appear like you’re looking down a square well. Blocks will drop from each of the four sides and collect in the middle. As is typical with these games, you want to put them together in lines to try and clear them out.
In terms of other updates hitting the game, it’s a lot of control remapping. One thing boasted about in the press release is the ability for individual players to remap their controls for the four-player Tetris Time Warp. Sounds cool.
It seems like Tetris Forever was a hit with critics, but the Steam ratings sit at “Mixed.” That doesn’t really surprise me. It feels like something that would never have any chance at pleasing everybody. People who really, completely love Tetris are very particular about their version, and any omission is going to be a glaring one.
Hopefully, Welltris will help nudge some folks’ opinion. Digital Eclipse has stated that there will be more big updates and more game additions in the future, so if Welltris doesn’t do it for you, you may see something else soon. I’m holding out for Tetrisphere.
Tetris Forever is available now for PC and consoles. The update including Welltris releases today.
