Deveopler: Wolfgang Strobl

Publisher: Wolfgang Strobl

Release Date: 10/30/1993

Original Price: Freeware or [$10 Donation (Optional)]

KLOTZ is a version of Tetris for Windows 95 and as the developer stated, “Why another Tetris clone? It was to implement a way to have something useful to explore the capabilities of Microsoft Windows.” And apparently KLOTZ isn’t a very stable program to begin with. Stated from the Help file, there is noise that is produced when the game is played and that there are many pop up windows that shouldn’t be there. What is the object of the game? Simple, falling pieces will produce points when they reach the bottom and connecting them to form a line that makes them disappear will net you even bigger points.

One of the interesting things about this game is the HELP file, it goes into rather deep discussion about different ticks that the game produces and that signals to the player to move the pieces around. These ticks are based around the clock similar in fashion to the game music in Tetris, the faster the music, the faster the gameplay. Moving the pieces is controlled by the NUM KEYPAD 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 all control the pieces in different ways. There are some differences in the game such as allowing the pieces to stop in mid air making the game very tough.

Honestly, as much as the developer wants to go into making this an advanced version of Tetris, this is all it is, Tetris for Windows 95. One of the major draws is that there are too many windows that pop up when playing this game; there is the window that shows you your next piece, A window that shows everything stacked, a window that shows controls, window that shows you stats and a highscore window but it does give it a competition feeling but really its just to much. Props to the developer thought for creating an interesting version of Tetris.

~ Retro Mark

Reviewed: 06/04/2020