bastet

Start a Tetris game

$ bastet

$ [<ArrowLeft>|<ArrowRight>]

$ [<Space>|<ArrowUp>]

$ <ArrowDown>

$ <Enter>

$ <p>

$ <Ctrl c>

bastet [-c columns] [-d] [-l level] [-r rows] [-s] [-v] [--classic] [--help]

-c columns
    Sets the width of the game board in columns.

-d
    Enables debug mode, typically for developer insight.

-l level
    Starts the game at the specified difficulty level.

-r rows
    Sets the height of the game board in rows.

-s
    Displays the high scores recorded by the game.

-v
    Prints the version information of the bastet command.

--classic
    Disables bastet's unique 'badly adjusted' piece selection algorithm, providing a traditional random Tetris experience.

--help
    Shows a help message and exits.

-h
    An alias for --help, displaying usage information.

bastet (short for Badly Adjusted Scores Tetris) is a unique and challenging console-based puzzle game inspired by the classic Tetris. Unlike traditional Tetris implementations that aim for random piece generation, bastet employs an algorithm designed to give the player the worst possible next piece, making gameplay significantly more difficult and requiring strategic thinking under pressure. This innovative twist transforms a familiar game into a relentless test of skill and adaptability.

The game operates entirely within the terminal, utilizing the ncurses library to render its graphical interface. It's often included in the official package repositories of many Linux distributions, making it easy to install and play. While fundamentally a game, its unconventional approach to piece generation makes it a fascinating study for those interested in algorithmic design or simply looking for an exceptionally challenging variant of a beloved classic. Despite its 'unfair' nature, it remains a popular choice for users seeking a quick, engaging, and frustratingly addictive terminal experience.

bastet is designed to be an exceptionally challenging game; its core mechanic of supplying 'worst' pieces can be frustrating for players expecting a traditional Tetris experience. As a terminal-based application, its display relies on the ncurses library, meaning its visual presentation might vary slightly across different terminal emulators or could encounter rendering issues on highly minimalistic terminal setups without proper ncurses support. It is primarily for entertainment and not a system utility.

bastet utilizes common keyboard inputs for gameplay. Typically, arrow keys are used for moving pieces left, right, and down, while the up arrow or 'x' key rotates pieces. The spacebar usually hard drops a piece, and 'p' can pause the game. Specific keybindings are generally displayed in-game or can be found in the program's manual page.

bastet was originally developed by Kyle Smith and first released around 2003. Its creation was motivated by the desire to explore a unique twist on the classic Tetris formula, specifically by implementing an algorithm that actively attempts to give the player the 'worst' possible next piece. This fundamental design choice immediately distinguished it from other Tetris clones and established its identity as a challenging, 'anti-Tetris' game. Being open-source, bastet has been maintained and packaged by various Linux distributions, ensuring its continued availability and popularity within the terminal gaming community.

ncurses-tetris(6), moon-buggy(6), nethack(6)