Other Games For Tetris Effect
(blows dust off blog, immediately starts coughing)
So! Something that's been discussed as of writing lately, is how Tetris is good for preventing ptsd. Not curing it mind you, but *preventing it*. Or at least creating a reduction in symptoms.
Here's an article discussing a study, where they also mention some alternatives that are visually challenging. The key thing seems to be keeping the "visuospatial" processes busy. This can get...Complicated really quickly, but basically, the parts of the brain that take in visual elements, then process those elements into "what to pay attention to" and "what do I do with them".
Here's where I do want to note, that anecdotally, you should be really careful with the audio you take in during this. Again, anecdotally, but some neurodivergent people will attach songs or discussions with specific audio. And this can get messy really quickly when video games are also how you cope with trauma.
They also mention a newer technique for ptsd management called "EMDR". Now, the article references this as an option for those with ptsd or cptsd, but some have noted that in a way, this whole playing tetris thing *is* a form of EMDR. EMDR is essentially focusing eyemovements on specific objects, and the processing memories and triggers while focusing the eye movements. It's like that audio thing I mentioned, but more specific. This does mean the "tetris method" might work for ongoing trauma, but even if it does, it's better to be working with a trained therapist on it, due to how you can accidentally feel worse.
But what if the only version of tetris you have access to is riddled with ads and microtransactions? What if you just don't like tetris? Well, like the article said, there's other options! It mentions coloring books as one option, but I'm going to focus on other games. Particularly indie games that have shown up in itch mega bundles! These are all going to be games I've played at least a few levels of.
Other criteria, based on the information given and knowledge of how tetris works as a game:
-Mentally challenging AND engaging? This is really easy to test by the way. If I have a podcast going, will I feel like I've missed chunks of it because I was more engaged with the game, and needed to focus more on the visuals in front of me than the audio coming in?
-Pacing. Slow paced does seem like it can work given the mention of coloring books, but part of what makes tetris so gripping is how the blocks come down faster and faster and faster and whoops you put that straight block in the wrong area, so now that row is messed up. Pacing won't exclude a game from this list, but it will be a factor in how useful a game might be.
-Visuals. Now, the art doesn't have to be good, but it does have to get the brain to focus on it. Tetris is just a bunch of squares afterall.
-Interruptions. This does tie into pacing, but I think is important to note separately. Basically, are there moments that take you out of a puzzle solving mode? Because getting kicked out of that mode risks your brain getting back into hyperfixating on that awful thing.
-Vibes. Again, ties into pacing, but also the other topics as well. Does the game have that same "suck you in, you have to play more" type of feel?
Important Caveats to Note:
First off, it is physically impossible for me to test every puzzle game in existence. Additionally, to get some of these games on your phone, you may have to download the "Mitch" launcher, which google might be banning from android later. Even if they’re not, the current amount of warnings you get for the mere act of installing an open source launcher is…daunting for many.
Additionally...I have CPTSD. Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. That as well as a bunch of other mental disabilities means, well, my brain is already a bit fucked when it comes to trauma.
On top of that...For so many reasons including ethical ones, I am not going to purposefully subject myself to traumatic images for the sake of testing things. Sure, I might watch a horror movie or two during the testing period, though those are often a source of catharsis these days. I also will continue to be relatively up to date on the horrors of living in the US. Soooooo...I'm not going to methodically look at anything, but I will note if during this testing period some of my symptoms ease up.
Editing Note several days later: While not the same as horrifying death footage, I will be running my own 1970s unethical experiments on myself, to see if this trick will help keep my rejection sensitive dysphoria calm as I get various rejection notices while job hunting.
This is also an ongoing article! This will be posted when I have five options up, but I will continue to update it as I test more puzzle games to see if they meet the criteria! Any additions and updates to this piece will be shared on my bluesky @kingdomfantasy6
Oh! And just one brief ironic ad before we get to the real point of this article. I'm doing this for free, but I certainly appreciate tips on my ko-fi as they help keep the site up. I also now have art, photography, jewelry, etc, up on a few sites along with @lokiofcontrol. So check out https://winterroseart.com/ for physical art pieces, then bonfire for some photos & digital art on merch, and finally inprnt for those flat prints and stickers!
And now, the moment we've all been waiting for, puzzle games for that tetris effect! Note that I am playing on a windows 11 laptop, with an AMD graphics card a bit below an NVidia 1060, and with 16gb of ram that this laptop LOVES to gobble up. Surprisingly, for the first 6 games on this list, not one kicked up my laptop’s fans. Yay!
Sparkles and Gems
Coming to us from the “Play for Peace: Games for Palestine 2025” bundle, we have Sparkles and Gems! For those who enjoy the aesthetic of those 2000s era educational games, it’s easy to jump into, plenty to look at, but dammit Geometry Clown, I will beat you at breakout.
There’s also a story mode for once you’re a little calmer, and a little more curious about what exactly is a Geometry Clown. (Answer to said question not promised to be in said story mode)
A Dance of Fire and Ice
Next up, again courtesy of Play for Peace, we’ve got A Dance of Fire and Ice. Get out your headphones, because this is a rhythm game with excellent beats. One that makes it easy to keep trying, even after messing up. It’s genuinely mesmorizing in some ways.
That said, I alas couldn’t see any options to make it color blind friendly. Did find a useful calibration option! But…That’s it. Those sensitive to migraines and/or have light based epilepsy might also want to be careful with this one.
On the plus side though, it is findable on mobile!
Pinko Ponko
Not a tumblr joke, I swear. Pinko Ponko is yet another Play for Peace (It is one of the latest bundles to be fair) find. At first I was going to cast it aside as not as engaging. But then, oh then as I merged those bubbles, and they got bigger, the real game of it all revealed itself to me.
Sadly, as of writing those with issues regarding white flashes in games may have to skip this one, as there are quite a few.
Key Gunner
Play for Peace bringing us a less peaceful game that just might help with bring some momentary mental peace.
Those familiar with “Typing of the Dead” may be familiar with this type of gameplay, albeit this time it’s more arcade form. There’s enemies, and you’ve gotta type to defeat them. The font can be tricky to parse with some letters, but fortunately it’s not order that matters, just getting the letters right!
Shitposters may want to put it on hard for more of a challenge though.
Space Sweeper
Play for peace bringing us a wonderful combination of katamari + match3 + tetris that is as simple as it is challenging.
THe more space junk you collect without matching previous space junk, the harder it gets to dodge meteors, giving us that lovely incremental difficulty that can help engage the brain.
Blobbun
It’s a Blob. And a Bun. It’s a blobun! A game I was very excited to see in 2025’s Queer Games Bundle, it’s slower paced than the previous entries but don’t worry, there’s plenty of puzzles to keep you occupied.
This was also the first game I used after getting a job rejection, and it did seem to soften the blow, so hooray!
As of September 14th, those are the games I’ve tested and found to meet my vague criteria, and I’ll certainly continue to update as I play and find more! Bluesky users with a suggestion or two can certainly drop their thoughts in this thread! Just know that one of my criteria is “showed up in a mega bundle, preferably a mega bundle I also supported, but y’know, I can be flexible if I missed one or two”
By the way, if you want platforms like itch to continue existing, or even for more alternatives to pop up, be sure to join the movement to stop payment processors from censoring art. As a group, we have a chance to make a difference, and ensure all sorts of weird art can be made!
