Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Review (Xbox Series S)
Japan’s beloved puzzle game series Puyo Puyo and the world-renowned Tetris® game franchise have teamed up again to deliver even more Puyo-popping and Tetrimino-clearing fun in Puyo Puyo Tetris 2.
Pros:
- Decent graphics.
- 3GB download size.
- 1000 Gamerscore.
- Japanese or English voice option.
- Main menu-Puyo Puyo, Tetris or Puyo Puyo Tetris 2. The two stand-alone games are just a shortcut to arcade/marathon mode.
- Nine control layouts.
- Five modes-Adventure, solo, multiplayer, online, and lessons.
- Lessons-playable tutorials for the game types and game modes complete with difficulties.
- Multiplayer-local only.
- Online-set region, upload/watch other player replays. Two modes-puzzle leagues (puzzle/Puyo Puyo/Tetris/Skill battle) and free play (vs/skill battle/swap/party/fusion/Big bang).
- Solo mode-arcade mode essentially with vs, skill battle, swap, party, fusion, big bang, and challenge game modes.
- Optional game options-(mode dependant) rounds, win count, margin time, quick/hard drop support, hold and comeback assist.
- Adventure mode-story based gameplay taking in both games and adding cutscenes.
- Player customisation options-avatar, frame, frame background, character, location, background, Puyo style, Tetris style, and volumes.
- 20 backgrounds.
- 10 initial Puyo styles including Sonic and Game Gear.
- 9 initial Tetris styles including SEGA arcade and Puyos.
- 22 characters.
- 30 avatar frames.
- Shop-spend credits from playing on new avatars, voices, Puyo and Tetris icons, and player icons.
- Full stats screen broken down by game type.
- Theatre-replay cutscenes and replays.
- Can skip or autoplay cutscenes.
- The adventure has an overall completion percentage.
- World map level select in adventure mode.
- Adventure mode-earn 1-3 stars and you can see the criteria for the stars before the match and in the pause menu.
- Can replay levels.
Cons:
- Looks and plays just like the last game.
- Adventure mode is not that fun.
- Handicap options are confusing as to what is what.
- Adventure mode has difficulty spikes.
- The learning curve for Puyo Puyo and the other new modes.
- Graphics - 9/109/10
- Sound - 9/109/10
- Accessibility - 8/108/10
- Length - 9/109/10
- Fun Factor - 9/109/10
Summary
Even when the game was first announced my initial hype got a reality check and I wondered why a sequel was needed. I have now played many many hours of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 and I am still asking that question. I mean it’s an excellent game and I would say one of the best mashups in recent years or ever but I don’t think it was needed. Sure they added in a new game and a few tweaks but the core gameplay and even menu structure are the same as before, I felt deja vu at every turn albeit after a new cutscene or a flashy menu prompt. I love the game but it felt unnecessary, I’m always grateful to jump back into the genre and this was no different but it’s just one of those why does it exist type deals. Anyway if you have not played them before then you are in for a treat, combining two of the greatest games in a way that is hypnotic yet addictive powerful yet soul-destroying Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 Is one of the finest examples of arcade fun and an absolute blast on and offline.
