Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, takes what we all love about the classic 2D puzzle games Tetris and Puyo Puyo and adds even more content to create a nostalgic package that outshines its predecessor. As expected, both Puyo Puyo and Tetris are perfect games and remain untouched.
A blockbuster
Combining these games in a package similar to the first Puyo Puyo Tetris allows each game to shine. As both standalone titles and together. It is partly due to the significant range of modes and challenges that successfully mix both puzzle titans’ gameplay in a fun and engaging way. The game stands out in this aspect.
The considerable amount of modes and variety of modes adds significant depth to the game. You have the option of picking between online multiplayer modes, such as boss raids, to a variety of solo modes against CPU controlled players. Solo game modes include classic versus, challenge modes and the newly added skill battles to name but a few. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 also has a range of tutorials to help new players through various modes. It is an excellent addition. For those who have not had experience with either puzzle games or those who want to refresh their knowledge.
All of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2’s modes are excellent. However, its skill battles stand out as innovative additions to the game. During a skill battle, you need to build a team from selecting characters the game provides. Each character has individual skills. These skills can be handy tools in changing the tide of a Puyo Puto Tetris showdown. Each player in a skill battle has a health bar, once all of your health bars hits 0, you lose. When you chain Puyo Puyo or Tetrises, you damage the other player through attacks, this combined with the ability to use skills that can do more damage or even be used to regain your health, makes this mode stand out as a highlight of the game. When you complete a level, your characters gain experience points—turning the game into a Japanese role-playing game.
The story doesn’t quite fall into place
The story mode is also an okay addition to the game. Although simplistic, the story involves you effectively battling CPU through Tetris and Puyo Puyo across various game modes. From versus battles to skill battles. It is fun and adds multiple game modes to keep the gameplay somewhat interesting for a short period. That brief period was the first chapter. I found myself entering chapter two, and the various subsequent chapters instead burnt out by the repetitive gameplay present in the story.
Nevertheless, the gameplay does offer a considerable challenge on a positive note, and it is addictive. Similarly, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 also has a great art style. With a cartoon JRPG art style that brings you back to both puzzle games Japanese roots. The music is also very appealing with the original Tetris’s classic musical beats, and Puyo Puyo remixed into a delightful tune.
Verdict
Overall, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, much like its predecessor is a great game. Once again it combines two of the all-time great classic puzzle games. That not only make both games shine but innovate on both in a new and unique way. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 builds on this further with the addition of modes such as skill battles while keeping the charming music and art style we expect from a Puyo Puyo Tetris collaboration.
