Free software has populated almost every sector of the computer software arena: from office suites to encyclopedias to full operating systems. One genre of computer software that most people overlook when thinking of free software is gaming. The fact is, sites such as Freshmeat have literally thousands of free software and freeware games for a huge variety of operating systems.
Free software has populated almost every sector of the computer software arena
One of the original puzzle games is Tetris. It can be found coded in practically any computer language for any operating system. KDE and Gnome even have Tetris clones as part of their game packages. So what better place to explore the possibilities of free software than with the highly addictive Tetris?
One of the original puzzle games is Tetris. It can be found coded in practically any computer language for any operating system
I found various Tetris clones, for Windows and Linux, and put them through their paces. Several hours later, here are the results.
Alizarin Tetris (Atris)
Atris in actionAtris is Tetris, with a unique spin. The various sized blocks come with multiple colors in each block; these colors can then separate, “splitting” the block when it lands, allowing you to make more combinations than you could with normal Tetris. Also, to complete a level you just need to remove all the gray bricks at the bottom.
The catch? The clock. You need to complete each puzzle within what seems to be a randomly generated time, which sometimes seems to be impossible.
The game also has networking abilities to allow for multi-player competition. The only real downside is the menu system, which at first can be difficult to master. The game is released under the GPL, and the source is available on the author’s website.
| Stability | 10 |
| Sounds/Music | Not Reviewed |
| Graphics | 7 |
| Controls | 10 |
| Documentation | 7 |
| Overall Design | 6 |
| Total Rating | 8 |
Alizarin Tetris Rating
| Binaries Available | Windows 32-bit, BeOS, Debian |
| License | GNU General Public License (GPL) |
| Programming Language | C |
In Brief
Java Tetris
Java Tetris in actionJava Tetris is Tetris, simplified. It’s so simple that all the blocks are the same color, and no documentation is included at all. Just use the arrow keys to drop the blocks and try not to go to sleep playing.
The fact that it’s written in Java makes it truly cross platform: it even runs as an applet on the author’s website. That said, it doesn’t really help its enjoyability. Just adding some color would have helped out a lot.
So, unless you’re a die-hard Tetris fan who absolutely needs a cross platform clone, you’ll probably want a more colorful and play friendly clone.
| Stability | 10 |
| Sounds/Music | N/A |
| Graphics | 5 |
| Controls | 9 |
| Documentation | 1 |
| Overall Design | 5 |
| Total Rating | 6 |
Java Tetris Rating
| Binaries Available | Cross Platform |
| License | GNU General Public License (GPL) |
| Programming Language | Java |
In Brief
JsTetris
JsTetris in actionJsTetris is a nice, clean and colorful Tetris game written in JavaScript and HTML, making it playable in almost any newer web browser. Since it’s coded in JavaScript, it will run on almost anything.
JsTetris also has easy controls, tidy documentation and good playability and graphics, making it one of my favorite Tetris clones. You can even play it right off the program’s website, so you won’t even have to install anything.
JsTetris is the ultimate quick and easy Tetris clone that you can play anywhere on anything. It was extremely responsive and was also the best laid out game I reviewed. The useful gages in the left sidebar showed me just how fast I was going, as well as how long I’d been playing.
JsTetris is the ultimate quick and easy Tetris clone that you can play anywhere on anything
The only missing feature was a pause mechanism. Other than that, JsTetris earned straight A’s from me.
| Stability | 10 |
| Sounds/Music | N/A |
| Graphics | 10 |
| Controls | 9 |
| Documentation | 10 |
| Overall Design | 10 |
| Total Rating | 9.8 |
JsTetris Rating
| Binaries Available | Cross Platform |
| License | BSD License |
| Programming Language | JavaScript |
In Brief
SDLBlock
SDLBlock in actionSDLBlock had some of the worst graphics and controls I’ve seen. The whole game makes you want to turn away and never come back. The graphics with the red guide-lines draw your eyes, and the keyboard controls make positioning the blocks more difficult.
The controls were so difficult, in fact, that I was unable to even get one row of blocks to disappear. Even allowing the player to use some decent mouse controls would have helped a lot.
Documentation was included, but it was hard to read and navigate, leading to more frustration.
Overall, the game playability was horrible. It’s not a game I would recommend. That said, it has potential, and with some TLC from some user-minded folks, this could really become a great game, but it’s definitely not there yet.
| Stability | 10 |
| Sounds/Music | N/A |
| Graphics | 2 |
| Controls | 3 |
| Documentation | 3 |
| Overall Design | 2 |
| Total Rating | 4 |
SDLBlock Rating
| Binaries Available | Windows 32-bit |
| License | GNU General Public License (GPL) |
| Programming Language | C++ |
In Brief
T^3
T^3 in actionT^3, literally Tetris cubed, is the best 3D puzzle game I’ve seen. It allows you to customize your view with your mouse (or keyboard) and align the pieces in 3 axes.
The graphics are exceptional, and the gameplay is excellent. Good documentation is also included. T^3 also provides various game modes, including arcade (timed) and classic modes. The source code is also included right in the setup package. This was the only game reviwed here with its own installer.
T^3 is probably the ultimate Tetris for 3D gamers, and will keep you interested for quite a while. The falling blocks in the background are a nice touch. Overall, this is what SDLBlock isn’t, an easy to use (and easy on the eyes) 3D Tetris.
T^3 is probably the ultimate Tetris for 3D gamers...
| Stability | 10 |
| Sounds/Music | N/A |
| Graphics | 10 |
| Controls | 9 |
| Documentation | 9 |
| Overall Design | 10 |
| Total Rating | 9.6 |
T^3 Rating
| Binaries Available | Windows 32-bit |
| License | GNU General Public License (GPL) |
| Programming Language | C++ |
In Brief
Conclusion
Free software doesn’t need to be boring, and I hope these examples will convince you to go out and find the fun in free software yourself
The wide variety of free software games available is astounding, so don’t be afraid to look beyond the practical and into the fun when you think of free software. Free software doesn’t need to be boring, and I hope these examples will convince you to go out and find the fun in free software yourself.
Some great places to start are Freshmeat and Sourceforge . Remember that KDE and Gnome also include game packages with their desktop environments.
Comments
Alizarin Tetris (Atris)
A great Tetris clone. Not only are there different levels of difficulty, but the sounds are brilliant.
Try it, I think you'll like it!
i'll take it
i'll take it
A word of explanation needed
Personally, I think you slightly missed the point here. SDLBlock is a clone of an old (1989) Tetris clone - Blockout. The latter was a great game, at least at the time it was written and released. I ensure you that it was pretty addictive ;-) More information about it on Abandonia.
What's interesting, the original version still has a bunch of very devoted fans. They even have a webpage for submitting high-scores at http://www.blockout.de/. So, obviously there are people who find the interface, and the whole idea of a 3d-Tetris, amusing and enjoyable.
It's hard to expect that a clone will be different from the original - they wanted to reflect an old game, so the old game (and graphics & interface) you get.
Just to make things clear.
JsTetris - pause issue
The pause would make it to easy to play ;) On high levels after 10-15 minutes of playing, it is an endurance test of your fingers O_^ Or test of psychic powers.. you got so far.. , and now for example a phone, or your parents, or some other accident disturbs your playing, and you have to make a choice ;) no no! Pause would make it all to easy! O_O. Have fun!
You forgot the best one ....
You should have mentioned Briquolo - it is the best tetris game on Linux.
Its in 3D (openGL) and one of the power-ups's changes the screen viewpoint to 1st person for 30 secs (i.e - the view from the bat)
http://freshmeat.net/projects/briquolo/
Good review
Thanks for the review Robin, they look good. I'm gonna be busy tonight I can see that.
Additions and Corrections
Additions 2
Netris - http://sourceforge.net/projects/netris
Still under development but the upcoming version should be a big improvement.
r4 ds
PC games are created by one or more game developers, often in conjunction with other specialists (such as game artists) and either published independently or through a third party publisher. They may then be distributed on physical media such as DVDs and CDs, as Internet-downloadable shareware, or through online delivery services such as Direct2Drive and Steam. PC games often require specialized hardware in the user's computer in order to play, such as a specific generation of graphics processing unit or an Internet connection for online play, although these system requirements vary from game to game.
r4 ds
Other free software tetris
Other free software tetris clones include:
(Why isn't there an HTML mode with manual breaking and A HREF support?)
Are you sure these are free software? (Source code is free?)
Hi,
Are you sure these are all free software? That is, you can download the source code, modify it, and release it?
Merc.