Video Game Review: Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2

Sega

Genre: Puzzle

Nintendo Switch

Puyo Puyo Tetris is one of the best games available on the Nintendo Switch. Combining the Tetris and Puyo Puyo franchises into one game makes for a wonderful experience. With how successful the first game is, it’s not surprising that Sega has a sequel on the way. The latest game brings a few new modes, a new story, and many new challenges for players to enjoy.

For those who aren’t familiar with it, the Puyo Puyo Tetris series basically gives players access to three games. Players can play classic Puyo Puyo or classic Tetris. Of course, what makes the series so special is the way that the two games are fused together. Players can enjoy tons of modes with the rules of Tetris and Puyo Puyo masterfully mixed into one experience.

Most are familiar with the rules of Tetris – use falling tetrominoes to make lines and clear shapes. Puyo Puyo isn’t as popular in the West, so we wouldn’t fault you for not knowing much about the series. In Puyo Puyo, cute little slime blob blocks fall in pairs. Each blob has a different color, and players will try to connect four or more of the same color to clear the blocks. Combos are pretty common in Puyo Puyo, and blocks will often fall after being cleared, creating chains and yielding better results.

Both games look similar but have enough unique qualities to make this feel like an entirely new game. Understanding the properties of the Puyos and the Tetrominos and how they interact is essential to succeeding. This is especially so in a multiplayer game where players are racing to put together combos to attack the other player with. The blocks from the two games can interact with each other in a few ways, but they can’t clear one another. Tetrominos will crush the Puyo blocks below them, so players will need to consider where they place their blocks. If players are too reckless, they won’t be able to match the blocks of their respective games.

The first title came with tons of content that made it an incredible value. The tradition continues in Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, with tons of single and multiplayer modes. The story mode makes a return with familiar characters and a bunch of fresh faces. The story is well-written, providing a fine explanation about why these two franchises are coming together again. There are fun little tweaks to the game’s formula throughout the story mode, keeping the adventure fresh throughout. In addition to the story mode, solo players can also enjoy a classic versus mode, party mode, and many more quirky modes. The big new mode is Skill Battle, which allows players to pick characters to use in their game. Each character has unique abilities, adding an extra layer of strategy to the experience.  While the multiplayer is the shining element for Puyo Puyo Tetris 2,  this game is worth the price of admission for even solo players.

The multiplayer is fantastic, much like it was in the previous game. The same modes that can be played in solo mode against the AI can be enjoyed via local wireless or on the same Switch system. The online mode is incredibly fleshed out and is where players are likely to spend the most time. Puzzle League mode offers a ranked play experience for those who are competitive. There is a league for Puyo Puyo, Tetris, and the fusion of the two. Players can also compete in a Skill Battle League. Free Play is a more casual experience that offers plenty of modes to enjoy online. There are also solo challenges that affect online rankings.

Those who own the previous game might have a hard time if it’s worth investing in the sequel. On one hand, the new story, Skill Batlle mode, and the improvements to the online experience are all fantastic. Still, this might not be enough reason to come back.  If the new modes are appealing enough, this is definitely worth picking up. If players haven’t gotten a chance to experience the last game, now is the time to dive in, and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is the best place to start.