Review: Batu ta Batu
You know that Tetris feeling of “one more block”? This gets pretty close.
“Join and Join.” Batu ta Batu’s title, translated from the Basque language, is as fitting a description of the gameplay as any. Slide, shift, merge, and bang your head against colorful tiles, sending them in four directions to achieve a goal.
There are a lot of games to compare to, but the best way I can describe it is that Batu ta Batu is the product of Threes! and Tetris. The swiping/merging gameplay is similar to Threes!, and the zen-like fugue state you enter into during Endless mode is akin to that feeling you get when playing Tetris. It feels great and when you get a game over, it’s soul crushing.
The goal depends on which of the 10 game modes you choose. You might be trying to merge away Batus (tiles), or combine them all together to take up the entire area. Another mode will task you with merging Batus in a specific color order, ultimately revealing a classic piece of art, such as the Colossus of Rhodes.
The variation of the game modes is a welcome surprise, and the accessibility options are even better. Players can change the contrast, brightness, and saturation of the game pieces, allowing players to customize the look however they want. On top of that, multiplayer is supported for up to 4 players, allowing for quick matches and easy entertainment.
For $4.99, Batu ta Batu is a fantastic puzzle game, and would make a perfect addition to your Nintendo Switch for portable puzzling.