Zed Two's Wetrix takes the form of a very chaotic puzzle game. It is an innovative title, and to call this one uninspired would be a flat out lie. Wetrix is really helps put the N64's puzzle genre over the top with other gems such as Dr. Mario, Tetrisphere, and Bust-A-Move.
Control:
With shadows underneath the falling pieces, the game controls accurately. From there it's standard rotate and drop puzzle affair. Although the controls are the only thing standard about the gameplay.
Gameplay:
The basic premise of Wetrix is very unique. The player must build and maintain areas that will hold water that falls from the sky. Evaporating the water will lead to points, but if the water leaks out from even the tiniest chink in the system, the game will soon be over. Players can gauge how close they are to losing by checking the drain on the right of the screen. As water leaks off the board, the drain fills. When it is full, the game is over.
There are many pieces that will affect the game (water, fire, ice, mines, rain, and score multipliers), but the real struggle is to maintain your lakes without letting the land get too heavy. There are pieces that decrease your structures, but once things get too heavy the earthquake meter fills up and devestates the field to sometimes unmanagable chaos.
In a nutshell, players are building lakes and keeping them from overflowing. It sounds simple enough, as with most puzzle games, but the challenge of this one is very great.
Sound:
The sounds in Wetrix are nothing that will leave you in awe, but the music is very fitting, and is probably the some of the best that has graced the N64. The actual sound effects leave a little to be desired, but nothing in the game should become annoying.
Multiplayer:
Wetrix allows players the opportunity to go head-to-head with one other person. The game plays like a survival mode with the person lasting the longest winning. While fun between two experienced players, this mode loses out quickly if there is a clear skill advantage for one person.
Aesthetics:
While all of this goes on, the player is treated to colorful, animated backgrounds; the seamless 3D field; and other surprises such as the rainbows and flying debris. The game looks better than any puzzle game in recent memory.
OVERALL:
Overall, Wetrix is a great addition to the puzzle genre, and is a refreshing change of pace from the Tetris clones that have been leading the scene since the NES.
The Lowdown on  Wetrix
| Aesthetics: Very Good |
Control: Above Average |
| Gameplay: Very Good |
Multiplayer: Average |
| Sound: Average |
Innovation: 5/6 |
| Lasting Appeal: 3/6 |
|
Overall: Above Average!
"A Quality Game"
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Wetrix
