Tetris is undeniably a classic. Sometimes that word is far too overused but in this case it is. It is a game that has withstood the turning of the decade and over a generation. Its repetitive electro tune is as annoying as it is addictive which is probably a good catalyst for the game.

There are three different game modes that you can choose from. These include Marathon which as you can tell is a lengthy, in fact non-ending, option where the aim is to eliminate as many rows as possible for as long as you can survive. What makes this level particularly tricky though is that the longer you survive and the higher the points rise the faster the tiles fall which inevitably makes it even more difficult. Another level is Ultra where you play within a time restraint which is usually 3 minutes and basically complete the game and remove as many rows as you can before the time runs out. A further game mode is the aptly named 40 Lines which is where as you can definitely tell is to just remove 40 lines in as fast a time as possible.

Tetris is a tile matching puzzle game where the objective is to delete rows of tiles (irrespective of whatever colour they are unlike in some games) in horizontal lines. To do so you must fully complete the line without any gaps and should you fail to do so the tower shape creeps up and up until it reaches the top of the screen by which time a huge GAME OVER sign will cross the middle of the page. It sounds very simple and perhaps a little boring for the modern day where people like to play more complex and challenging but don't be so quick to overlook a game like this. There is always moments when you have time to kill and there's no better way to do it than to open up Tetris on whatever medium you have (in this case on you computer) and hopefully beat your own or another's high score.

Perhaps what makes the game so addictive is its simplicity. If you fail to beat your score by a tiny margin you convince yourself that if only you try ONE more time of course you'll beat it. So when that comes and goes you try again and again all the time confident you were so close and should just try again. I know that if I'm waiting at the bus stop or for someone to meet me at a particular time its always a fun and enjoyable way to kill time as I do so. Its not exactly the most challenging game but the frustration it brings out is good fun and always makes for a lot of competition if you compare with other people - which is what makes games a little more entertaining in my opinion.

One enjoyable aspect of the game that I've enjoyed evolve over time is its use of colour. Beforehand it was much more bland and this change makes it at least a little more visually compelling for what is arguably a pretty basic game (well there isn't even much of an argument there). While I wouldn't say this makes it really great for children as some parents would be wary of letting their children play too many video games or perhaps one so non-enriching as this, it does definitely make it more inviting and like I said a little easier to stand as there is at least some variety.

Overall this is an excellent game that I would recommend. While not exactly innovating or really out there it is humble in its pure basicness which is what makes it so great. A fun way to kill time in an addictive and frustrating way that I'm sure would hook even the biggest haters of computer games, it is also very cheap and accessible to people of all ages and abilities. The game suits pretty much all mediums (although is a bit awkward on a touch phone in my experience) and despite the thumb ache I get if I play a little too long is always rewarding to see your name top the list of people you know which offers excellent bragging rights. As you can tell its a good way to be a little childish and a fun way to do so as well.