UNIS - V2E

 This is a game that I have waited a life time to play. Billed as Tetris for the spatially challenged, UNIS gets rid of the awkwardness of different shapes and replaces it with a simple cube.


Loading the TZX file presents the player with a simple but effective loading screen.


Once loaded the player is offered the choice between using the keyboard or Kempston joystick. The latter wasn't tried in this review due to a lack of the required hardware.


Since there is no need to rotate the playing piece the keyboard is limited to 3 key O and P to move left and right and A to drop the piece faster. 

The object is to make lines of cubes the same colour vertically, once you have 5 in a row, the row will disappear. Initially the pieces drop slower than a snail with a terrible hangover, but as lines are formed this speeds up to the maximum speed the BASIC program is capable of running at. Pressing left or right causes the pieces to keep moving in that direction until a wall is hit or you press the opposite direction. The pieces move side to side with the speed of a freshly greased weasel. 

It is fair to say that time flashes past while playing, the stress of frantically juggling cubes into the correct columns builds like a thunderstorm and before you know it things start to go wrong.


Thankfully on the Game Over screen there is s a replay option because this game has a greater hook than a shark fisher. 


Sadly there is no in-game music, but with game play this good your ears wouldn't have the chance to focus on in.

Technical Ability - 99%

It is hard to believe this is programmed in BASIC with its slick game play. The excellent UDGs make up a very slick interface. If this gets ported to the Nintendo then there is no doubt that in 30 years time, some future teenager will be able to boast how he beat UNIS.

Achievement - 99%

If the goal was to create a slick, fast paced, palm sweating experience then mission achieved.

Fun - 99%

There is no doubt you'll all be racing to press space to replay. There is fun and then there is FUN, this offering is FUN!!!

Crap Factor - 0.01%

The only downside to the whole experience is the lack of music.

Roundup

Pros -
  • Everything but music
Cons -
  • No music
Remember I play these games so you don't have to. Should you play this game I bear no responsibility for your mental health afterwards. Should the warnings not be enough you can download and play it here.

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