An upcoming Tetris-style puzzle game on Steam, Blocks for Babies, lets players shoot blocks with guns from a first-person perspective reminiscent of classic DOOM games. Developed by indie studio BunkSoft Interactive, Blocks for Babies markets itself as an arcade block-stacking Steam game with a shotgun, aiming to evoke "precious childhood memories."
Lately, more indie games are openly promoting themselves as blends of other popular titles. Some social media hashtags like #pitchyagame, especially on Twitter, even encourage developers to pitch their in-development titles this way. Blocks for Babies is one of these games, explicitly calling itself a child of DOOM and Tetris.
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Blocks for Babies' Hybrid Gameplay Explained
Blocks for Babies starts as a standard falling-block puzzle before handing the player a shotgun to destroy the demonic tetrominoes. This gameplay shift is achieved through a hybrid 2D-3D visual style. In Tetris mode, the protagonist focuses on arranging falling blocks on the board to complete horizontal lines and clear them. This phase features cute, lively 2D visuals. After a set amount of time, the game teleports them onto the board, switching to a DOOM-like mode. Here, Blocks for Babies transforms into a retro 3D game with pixel-art graphics.
Blocks for Babies: Features at a Glance
- DEMOLISH the blocks in a Tetris-style puzzle mode
- SHOOT the lingering blocks with firearms
- UNLOCK new skills along the way
- DEFEAT more challenging enemies on bigger boards
Blocks for Babies starts as a standard falling-block puzzle before handing the player a shotgun...
Clean Up Tetrominoes to Earn Power-Ups, Shoot Corrupted Blocks to Unclog the Board
Blocks for Babies also borrows core gameplay elements from roguelike games. Each time players clear a board, they earn a power-up, choosing from several available options. Also, progression is heavily influenced by RNG, making every round feel unique.
Corrupted blocks cannot be destroyed in puzzle mode. These tiles can transform into creatures that attack the player with projectiles or quick strikes. Players have firearms to deal with these foes and can even unlock additional weapons like handguns. But ammo is limited, so they will need to make every shot count. Fortunately, the protagonist can also defeat hostile blocks with their fists, which means running out of bullets doesn't have to be the end of the fun.
The DOOM-Style Gunplay in Blocks for Babies Changes Everything
Blending elements from successful games to create a hybrid is common in the industry. Usually, these games combine titles from similar genres. For example, many Stardew Valley-inspired games mix its formula with elements from RPGs or other life-sim titles, which feels natural. Blocks for Babies, however, takes a bolder approach by merging two very different genres: a cozy puzzle game and a fast-paced first-person shooter. This has both advantages and drawbacks.
The upside is that it injects action into the progression system of Tetris-like games. The downside is that the progression system may be difficult for some players to adjust to. After a few gunfights, players quickly realize that the first-person mode allows them to correct many mistakes from the puzzle phase. In other words, the strategic element of gameplay becomes less critical because errors can often be fixed during the shooting sections.
You Can Play the Free Demo on Steam Now
For anyone curious about this unusual blend of two iconic games, a free demo of Blocks for Babies is already available on Steam. Developer BunkSoft Interactive seems to be planning to release the game in 2026, though the exact date has not been announced. In the meantime, the demo gives fans of both puzzle games and FPS titles a clear sense of whether it's worth adding to their Steam wishlist.