WHAT do you get when you combine Tetris and the electronic dance music scene?

Indie game Chime Sharp.

Zoë Mode’s sequel to the 2010 original turns players into virtual DJs as you slot together Tetris-style shapes on a grid to alter – or remix – popular dance tunes from the likes of Chvrches, Kavinsky and Steve Reich.

Chime Sharp, which is fairly similar to the original, basically plays out like a cross between rhythm game and a puzzle.

It is one of those experiences which is really easy to pick up and play but incredibly challenging to master.

The idea is to combine the rotatable shapes you are given into ‘quads’ (solid three-by-three blocks).

You can then keep adding to them to increase your score and multiplier.

As the music ‘beat line’ hits these blocks the song alters accordingly and also awards you grid coverage which helps you unlock more levels and modes.

It all sounds geeky and technical but Chime Sharp is really quite straight forward.

And it is quite soothing to play despite the frantic gameplay being all about making quick decisions.

Chime Sharp’s biggest flaw though is that it only rewards advanced players.

With no tutorial as such and a steep difficulty curve, it is hard to get the required points to unlock the later levels while you are learning the ropes.

If puzzles aren’t your strong point, even with persistence you might struggle.

A more forgiving mode for beginners should have been slotted in to help people sharpen their skills.

And its absence means the game can only be recommended to players who are familiar with the original, puzzle enthusiasts or Tetris aficionados.

RATING: 6/10

DAVID MORGAN