Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Faces …tris III builds upon the classic formula of Tetris and Welltris by introducing a uniquely creative twist: instead of simple geometric blocks, you’re dealing with facial features. Each piece represents a part of a person’s face—eyes, noses, mouths, ears—and it’s your job to rotate and position them as they fall, forming complete and recognizable human-like faces. This concept may sound straightforward at first, but the challenge ramps up quickly as you progress through the game’s ten difficulty levels.

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The game’s mechanics are intuitive yet demand careful planning. You can store pieces in a “holding area” to swap them out later, and as with Tetris, you can speed up blocks’ descent or drop them instantly to fit hard-to-reach spots. What sets Faces …tris III apart is the creative problem-solving required; you’re not just clearing lines, you’re constructing coherent faces that closely match those of famous personalities or custom images you import.

The optional head-to-head mode adds an extra layer of competition: as you complete faces, you send “glitches” of mismatched facial bits to your opponent’s screen. This interactive twist keeps matches tense, especially at higher speeds. With ten difficulty settings, the game caters to newcomers and veterans alike, letting you fine-tune how hectic the falling pieces become.

Graphics

Visually, Faces …tris III takes a minimalistic yet charming approach. The interface is clean, with a simple playing field framed by a colorful border that changes depending on your chosen background theme. Each facial piece is drawn with clear, bold outlines and vivid colors, ensuring you can quickly distinguish between eyes, noses, and other features during intense gameplay.

The real graphical highlight is the character portraits that appear when you complete a face. These range from caricature-like renderings of famous celebrities to user-imported sketches, brought to life with expressive details and smooth animations. Each portrait comes with its own background scene that adds personality—whether it’s a red carpet backdrop for a movie star or a serene park setting for an everyday face.

Despite the game’s focus on 2D art, the developers have included subtle effects—like a slight shake when you score a combo or a gentle glow around a perfectly matched face—that enhance visual feedback without distracting from the core puzzle action. The overall presentation is bright, inviting, and perfectly suited to the quirky, face-building gameplay.

Story

Unlike narrative-driven titles, Faces …tris III doesn’t follow a traditional storyline. Here, the “story” unfolds through the faces you build and the progression through the game’s ten escalating difficulty tiers. Each completed face feels like a small victory, a completed chapter in your own personal puzzle saga.

The optional face-import feature allows you to bring in your own artwork or photos, effectively letting you write your own story into the game. Whether you want to challenge yourself by recreating historical figures, beloved family members, or even your own doodles, the game treats each imported face as a unique “level” to conquer.

For those craving a sense of accomplishment, there’s a loose narrative arc in trying to master all 60 built-in faces plus any custom ones you add. As you climb the difficulty ladder, the music shifts and the facial components fall faster and in more complex patterns, giving you a palpable sense of rising stakes and personal achievement.

Overall Experience

Faces …tris III delivers a fresh and engaging twist on the time-tested Tetris formula. The core gameplay is satisfying and addictive, offering enough depth to keep puzzle fans hooked for hours. The blend of creative face-building with strategic block placement ensures that no two sessions feel exactly the same.

The game shines both in solo mode, where you can methodically work through the difficulty curve, and in head-to-head matches that bring out the competitive spark. Background music tailored to each face adds charm and variety, making the experience feel polished and thoughtfully crafted.

Whether you’re a veteran puzzler looking for a novel challenge or a casual player intrigued by the game’s whimsical theme, Faces …tris III has something to offer. Its accessible controls, customizable content, and visually appealing presentation come together to create a compelling package that’s well worth exploring.

Retro Replay Score

6.2/10