ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN LIMA NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER 1993 TRIS or Tetris? By: Andy Frueh Lima Ohio User Group Author's note: This article compares a commercial and Fairware version of the tetomino (Tetris) games that have been on the PC best-sellers list for quite a while. The opinions expressed in this review are not necessarily the views of the Lima User Group, or of the editor of this newsletter. Everyone knows that some pretty good stuff comes from ASGARD software, right? Well, maybe for once there is a better way to get software. There is a new tetris game out by the very good author Alexander Hulpke (probably best known for his graphics program work). The author asks a mere $10. I know very little about the ASGARD version called TRIS. All I've seen is the MICROpendium review and a picture of the game screen. This is available on module only for $25. It just seems a bit pricey compared to a $10 version. This Fairware version called Tetris is 4 stars. It opens with a "traditional" Fairware screen (pay if you like it, address, asking fee, ect.) and asks you to press a key. After you do so, you are greeted by a spectacular color display of a Russian-style building, the games name, "choose a level" prompt, and it starts playing "Scarborough Fair". The music may get on your nerves after hours of play, but that's what the volume control on a TV or monitor is FOR isn't it? Also, the Fairware version constantly displays the necessary keypresses for playing. Very handy. I believe both version display your score and let you see and change the next piece to fall, if desired. The Fairware version shows a graph of how many of a particular color has fell. Probably useless info. So basically, I love the Fairware version of Tetris. Hopefully, I can send the author the $10 he's asking (VERY reasonable for such a good game). I hope Mr. Hupke decides to write more game software. .PL 1