Morphing the battle royale formula in an unprecedented manner, Tetris 99 provides arguably the most competitive experience in the video game industry. Utilizing the fiercely competitive battle royale formula, 99 makes use of the gameplay system of a Tetris title to pit avid fans of the series against one another. The title forces incredibly quick decision making through block placement and enemy engagement. When playing a match of 99 players will feel a rush of exhilaration that can only be matched by a competitive battle royale experience. In one of the most creative combinations of game genres, Tetris 99 rivals the likes of Fortnite through excellent gameplay, sound design, and mastery of the Tetris formula.
Excelling at the Tetris themed battle royale title may be harder than it sounds. A player's first reaction to hearing the announcement of a Tetris battle royale would be something along the lines of "It's just Tetris how hard could it be?" The reality is that 99 sures the skill ceiling of most online titles available in intensity and tactics. With an explicit separation between the best players and the worst, Tetris 99 rewards skilled strategists and experts in the genre. This guide will provide tips to improve your game in Tetris 99 and how to become an exceptional player in the competitive landscape.
Always Have an I Piece On Reserve in Tetris 99
A common mistake that new players make when playing the block-stacking series is the carefree use of I blocks. This can place a player at an extreme disadvantage in a single-player match, as they won't have one of the most important pieces in the game. Now imagine this same mistake being made against 99 Tetris veterans all competing to become number 1.
The question may arise, why should I save an I piece? The answer is rooted in how you should be constructing your Tetris board. The best players in the world will allocate a space on the side of their board for these I pieces. This allows them an easy Tetris to clear out their board and start fresh. And in the context of 99, this strategy can lead to some devastating plays against an enemy.
These pieces are notorious for being the decisive best in the game. From their first incarnation to this modern battle royale version the I piece is the most important to survive an onslaught of attacks. It is important to reserve a space for these pieces while keeping one on standby is a sure-fire way to excel in matches.
It is important to always have at least 1 I piece to use in these situations. That way you have a metaphorical "ace" up your sleeve during a tough situation or to throw a devastating play against an enemy. Regardless of how you utilize the piece, it is the most powerful weapon in a player's arsenal. So be sure to be conservative in your usage of the block.
Targeting Your Opponent Wisely in Tetris 99
This lesson is one that needs to be learned exclusively during matches of 99. Similar to its shooter counterparts, Tetris 99 has an intense strategic element that encourages smart play and not rushing against opponents.
There are four main attacking philosophy, the first being to only target enemies when you have an excellent board set up. The last thing a player needs to do is target an enemy when they are scrambling to set up a decent board. Making sure to develop a dedicated I piece slot will help a player's offense and defense alike. Having a wise placement of the various pieces of Tetris will lead to a higher chance of victory than wildly rushing to fight smart players. So be wise when you decide to engage against enemy players as the wrong choice can lead to a devastating and quick loss.
The second philosophy is to only go on the offensive against opponents on the verge of being knocked out. These players are either in the midst of an onslaught or are simply struggling to find their rhythm. So by attacking these players, a smart Tetris 99 player will operate similarly to a vulture or a hyena. Rather than being the primary aggressor against an enemy they will pick and choose when to strike. That way they will be knocking out already weak enemies and reaping the rewards for it.
Thirdly, targeting opponents quickly and unpredictably will prevent any player from defending against your attacks. It is important to be unpredictable when fighting enemies. After unleashing a powerful attack on an enemy it is tempting to continue the onslaught until you hear the coveted "game over" cue. However, a smart player will quickly transition to another enemy to avoid being targeted. This ensures that you will not face the full brunt of their counter-attack and can unleash an unpredictable string of attacks on enemy players.
Finally, a good Tetris player will be well versed in defense. The easiest way to survive a match is to simply play a snapping turtle style of play. The reason why it is described as a snapping turtle is in its hybrid play style of excellent defense and devastating retaliatory action. These turtle players will defend against enemy attacks and will retaliate with a devastating assortment of Tetris of their own. That way you discourage enemies to play aggressively against you and it can cause a sudden shift in momentum in your favor.
A smart Tetris 99 player will be one who excels at using these three philosophies in harmony. Be able to be smart when building a board and not going on the offense until the exact moment while simultaneously defending against players will lead to a decisive win. Most players only excel at one or two of these styles and will, unfortunately, meet a quick defeat. So practice implementing each of these styles into your gameplay in order to excel within the competitive world of Tetris 99.
Tetris 99 is available now on Nintendo Switch.