Game Name: Anode
Publisher: Kittehface Software
Developer: Kittehface Software
Release Date: Aug 10, 2016
Platforms: Linux, Macintosh, Windows, XBOX One
Introduction
I have been playing this game for about two years now. It was free on the XBOX Live store at one point and I just downloaded. If not, I paid for it pretty cheap. It was such a long time ago. However, no matter what the price was, it was well worth it as I always come back to play this late at night for something that I can quickly pick up.
Gameplay
I think that the Anode website says it best.
Colored blocks fall, and keep falling. You rotate them, and drop them, aligning the pieces, creating links of matching color, filling in gaps. You touch a block with a detonator and the entire chain explodes. The blocks above them drop, another detonator touches, and another chain is gone. Then another.
Anode reintroduces the classic falling-block puzzle genre, with new twists and challenges! Link blocks back and forth across each other. Match angled couplers to create chains of multiple colors. Earn items and use them to clear your bin. Play Mission Mode and complete randomly-generated objectives for additional challenge. Post your scores on leaderboards and see how you stack up. Invite a friend over, plug in some controllers, and dive into frantic competition. Complete long chains to send blocks to your opponent's side, or use offensive items to trip them up. All to a pulsing soundtrack with music that gets more intense as your bin fills.
Anode (XBOX One) - Sample Gameplay
Bottomline
Like I said in the intro, this game is worth the money. Yes, it is a take on an old formula (mainly Tetris) but it is fun nonetheless. There are a few things that hinder this from being a great game.
From the top, the leaderboards are kind of empty. In fact, not many people play this on multiplayer mode. At least this is what I have observed in the past year or so. So basically this game is one that you play by yourself or locally with friends, but do not expect a great multiplayer experience like on Tetris 99 on the Nintendo Switch.
There are also no updates, as far as I know, on the XBOX One. The game comes as is and I do not even know if they fix any bugs. May be there are updates on the computer versions. There's also no DLC or new modes added.
Other than the negatives above, the rest is pretty solid. The modes are good and I personally always go back to the Mission Mode. The randomness of this mode is what keeps it challenging. The timed mode is also pretty addictive and can be challenging.
The games are quick. This for me is what is a big bonus. I can play a few matches in 15 minutes and then I can turn off the console. Sometimes, you just want that quick game and not something that you need to grind at for hours.
The graphics although not out of this world, do the job and are crisp on my original XBOX One. One thing that would have been cool is to make the background of the matches different. At least give the ability to change from some templates. Since this is not an option at this time, it makes the game a little bland after a while.
If you are on an XBOX One and you have a Tetris itch, this is the game for you. It is cheap and worth the try. It takes a little learning of the mechanics of the game. However, once that you learn that the rest is smooth sailing.
Have you played it? What do you think of the game? Let us know below.
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