Interesting fact at the beginning of the review: even block out which is based on Tetris developed behind the former iron curtain! Not only that, thanks to owning a very early on IBM compatible, pre windows, DOS operating Sperry, I have spent more time playing this gem of a game on a green screen then any other title and even with a reduced colour and sound palette this game rocked!

In block out you control cuboids to form a block structure, falling from the top of a room. Based on Tetris, which is also similar to this game, you are provided access to the third dimension and as you can rotate the blocks in space. When you have completely filled an area ‘floor’ the floor disappears. Each level on this version has a different color for orientation and makes other noises which should facilitate navigation in space on impact of stones.

The difficulty is not too hard at the beginning, you can still make a few mistakes while moving the stones around all axes. But with some practice you become accustomed but to the new possibilities of the third dimension and through a steep learning curve quickly begin to master the game. But what begins at a leisurely pace soon picks up after a few depleted levels and becomes really demanding. The difficulty level when set manually determines the size of the room, which is modified according to your difficulty requirements. You can complete a game by completing set limits. Alternatively a 2 player mode lead to a duel, which considerably increases the long-term motivation and playability of this game.

The game is visually simple, while a little austere , but the aesthetics of the polygon formations is inspiring even after twenty years and is still fascinating with its strange retro charm. The sound effects can be suitably described much the same as the look of the game, barren, although less is definitely more in this game as it serves well to not impose any unnecessary distraction while you are trying to focus on the game whilst it is in play.

Overall block out represents a small highlight for retro fans, because there are so few puzzlers that so obviously use the third dimension. This was a cheap Sega title, but the developers were able to do so much and it is definitely highly addictive.