Block Blast, the app store’s #1 rated puzzle game is taking Gen-Z by storm. This Tetris-based game focuses on placing uniquely shaped blocks to clear rows and columns. Once full, the column or row disappears in a “blast.” These “blasts” accumulate a total high score for the player.
“[The game is] mindless, you can do it while you’re doing anything else,” said OH sophomore Olivia Kalkman.
The game is a more relaxing version of its 80s counterpart, as Tetris relied on placing blocks on a time crunch.
“What I do like about games like Tetris is that it requires thought/critical thinking. You’re not just scrolling through videos, so I see value in these types of games,” Math Department Chair Matthew Borrowman said.
Both Tetris and Block Blast require a certain skill for players to stay on their toes. Through the use of combos and streaks, the player’s score can rapidly increase.
“There absolutely is a skill because some people are better at it than other people … based on the strategy of the pieces you put down and I haven’t found that strategy yet,” Kalkman said.
Kalkman is in the boat of casual players who find the game amusing for its easy and fun concept. However, many players seek strategy to continue to grow their high scores in the game.
“You have to keep the streak up which means you have to clear a row every three blocks you place,” said senior Brian Reveles, who has achieved a score over 100k.
These tactics have led to the almost competitive nature of the game where groups of friends will battle each other to see who will achieve the highest score.
Although both games are decades apart from each other, the connections between players and the drive to “win” have not changed.
“It was about the only game on a computer and my friends and I would have competitions to see who could get the highest score,” Borrowman said.
Unlike Tetris, Block Blast has been going through many changes and updates. This has caused discourse among players as some dislike the new starting board.
The newest update has started placing blocks on the player board when a new game loads. Whereas the “original” version is seen as having a clear starting board.
“I like the original version. I liked it when I started with a clean slate. It’s lowkey just harder now,” Kalkman said.
Despite the changes, Block Blast has become a staple in pop culture, winning over the hearts of Oswego students.
Hi I'm Chayse! I'm a Senior at OHS and this is my first year on the 42Fifty team. When I'm not at school, I participate in activities such as BIONIC, Commotion, SOTC, and many various Honor Societies! You can contact me by emailing 42Fifty@sd308.org and putting my name in the subject line. We welcome comments on our articles and feedback on our publication!
i make vent posts on tiktok to ts (this) game