Unify: Review and Giveaway

Tetris is a game that has stood the test of time. Many games have tried to mimc the same concept but only few have ever found success because, as they say, nothing is better than the original. However, Unify is here to defy that logic.

Unify is a puzzle multi touch block dropping game…with a twist. Think of it as Tetris, sideways, and times two. Like Tetris, it’s a simple game to pick up, simple controls and simple concept and incredibly addicting. It has the same simple block puzzle breaking concept, and has the same addictive gameplay that keeps you coming back for more.

Gameplay

Everyone who plays video games and even some who barely ever play games at all know what the game Tetris looks like. So imagine that except it’s flipped sideways so the blocks are falling to the left. Now, imagine that there’s not only one side of falling blocks, but TWO sides of falling blocks and the middle of your screen is where they will land. The middle where all the blocks fall to is a 9 piece block median which is the location of where all your mix and matching will take place.

When you begin, you only start with two colors and your goal is to match four of the same color together so they will break and give you points. At the top of your screen is a bar that keep track of your point total. As your point total raises the bar will get closer to filling up and once it fills up completely, you will progress to the next level and that’s where things get really intense.

Progressing to the next level, the speed of the falling blocks increases, there are more colors added to the mix and to make matters even harder for you, the background color scheme is changed. For instance, in the first level you have a white backdrop with white and black colored blocks. But in the next level, the backdrop turns to gray to keep the game interesting and make sure you’re not looking at the same boring thing over and over.

Like many other puzzle games, you can boost your point total with “basic” combos, (2x) and “smart” combos (3x) and so on so forth. This happens when one of your block falls and bursts and then causes another block to burst without another piece falling.

This is the time when Tetris pros can show off their brick busting prowess and really rack up major points. Also, as you progress you unlock new modes such as “Endless Easy” and “Endless Medium”. Instead of the normal mode you can see how long you can go before the blocks overwhelm one side of your screen.

The downfalls of this game are minimal but can be troublesome to some people. It’s all about multi-tasking so if that’s something you are incapable of doing, than this game is really going to be tough for you. Blocks fall from the left AND to the right and at times your left thumb has to do something 100% different than your right or else one side is going to get stacked up and you’ll be in a world of trouble. Luckily when you’re in trouble, the whole screen flashes red and in the back the word, “caution” blinks on and off just to warn you.

Another great factor is that you can log into your Feint account and post your high score and see how you compare with people around the world. That seems to be a more and more common feature in “high score” games so it’s definitely nice to see it in “Unify”.

Controls

For me, the controls were a bit tricky in the beginning. But as you play more and more, (and you will because it’s that addicting) you get the hang of it and moving the pieces at the same time becomes a pleasure to do.

Because you deal with manipulating two pieces simultaneously, you have to play with both thumbs on the screen. You can’t hold the iPod/iPhone in one hand and the other to move the blocks around. What’s nice though is that you can move the piece with your thumb in the region of the block instead of right on top of it.

This prevents the issue of not being able to see the block because of your thumb obstructing your view. To rotate the piece, all you have to do is tap the screen on the corresponding side. Since you have two sides of falling blocks and one median, your left thumb takes care of the blocks on the left and the ones on the right are your right thumb’s job.

The pieces can be manipulated simultaneously with each hand going a different direction. For instance, you can drag the left piece up and to the right and the piece on the right you can drag down and the to the left so then you have a piece on top of the median and on the bottom.

As I mentioned before, it’s all about multi-tasking. As I mentioned before, if you are a good multi-tasker, you will succeed in this game and it will come easier to you than a person who for example can’t pat his head and rub his stomach.

What We Liked

+ Tetris-like gameplay times two!
+ Music and sound effects
+ Feint online capable
+ Leveling up keeps the game fresh
+ Controls
+ Addicting
+ Unique feel and touch

What We Didn’t Like

+ Controls might take a little while for one to get
+ Might not be suited for the non-multi-tasker
+ More modes wouldn’t hurt

Final Verdict

Unify is Tetris with a twist and an amazingly executed puzzle game. The sound effects and music are terrific and the controls are tight and responsive. What else could you ask for in a puzzle game? It’s a colorful simple, yet extremely addictive app that will keep you coming back for more.

If Tetris was your bread and butter back in the day and or if puzzle games tickle your fancy, than Unify should be your next purchase. At $.99 it’s an awesome, incredibly polished game and an absolute steal and it couldn’t be more of a deal for puzzle lovers and gamers alike.

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Unify Preview from zach gage on Vimeo.