Puyo Puyo Tetris 2
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is an interesting sequel and a darn good game bringing the best of both Puyo and Tetris puzzle worlds together. Is it a giant leap over the first? Definitely not in the story, but it offers up a variety of competitive gameplay that makes it worth a go.
Let’s go on this review adventure.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 story
Get a group together and go conquer the world by stopping evil. Along the way, you meet odd characters, including a sassy bear scientist, robots, and some strange animal that repeats ‘Pi-pi-pi’ over and over again. While the antics and character motivations are justified in a shallow narrative, the reason for the story mode is to prep you for every other mode that the game has to offer. A story-driven buffet, but without real substance and purpose for this story. That’s not to say it’s bad, but it’s nothing particularly special. Anyway, the story mode throws choice dishes at you like Puyo Puyo competition, Tetris v Tetris competition, and constantly mixing them both up in such ways that it can drive you nuts at times. Gameplay for a puzzler is far more important than a story anyway in my humble opinion, but the oddity of the personalities you run into helps to make it somewhat entertaining. If you like wackiness that doesn’t go too far with purpose and emotion, then you’ll enjoy the story. For me, I felt like the story was a non-factor that occupied the backseat of gameplay design.
That sweet gameplay design
“Whatcha got there? What’s up the with the bubbles and Tetris?” — Kelly Stevens
If you ever wanted a game to help pass the pandemic time, then you’ve come to the right place with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2.
The joy of this release is the number of different ways the game can be played with local and online competition. The structure of the competitive mode starts with 1v1, where you can play each other in Tetris, Puyo Puyo, or a mix. Nothing terribly special, but everything expected. Before we move on, I will say that those who master the art of Puyo Puyo will find an easier, more successful time playing competitively against those who are Tetris purists. As my wife (above) pointed out on many angry occasions, “This isn’t fair! You have an easier time because you play Puyo Puyo!” She wasn’t wrong and I certainly had my ass handed to me when I switched over to Tetris against her. The balance between both risk/reward is certainly off when it comes to the gameplay structure of both game types. Scoring a massive amount of combinations in Puyo Puyo leads to pretty much a ‘game over’ scenario on the Tetris side. The Tetris side of gameplay tends to be a bit more methodical and meticulous in its construction, which takes longer for it to grasp success against Puyo Puyo players. When time is the name of the game and speed pushes the gameplay, there is no way Tetris can properly catch up. It wasn’t built for it. Does that mean it doesn’t win here and there? Not at all, but there is a competitive advantage created in being a bit more talented with Puyo Puyo. Having said that, the game is still fun to play against a friend, child, or significant other.
That is only the default competitive mode, so it does get better with what the game offers up. Here’s what else to expect:
– Party — Baku Baku reborn with a tinge of Bomberman. You get items, you go for a score. It works and it works well. It’s intense to say the very least. It can get old after a while, but it complements what you get with regular competitive mode.
– Fusion — This is insanity. I couldn’t wrap my head around this one comfortably, but maybe that is the point. You have Tetris and Puyo Puyo elements coming down on the same board. This is incredibly difficult to keep up with, but nonetheless challenging. Having to juggle getting rid of Puyo Puyo, while at the same time dealing with Tetris lines to clear can be difficult when you’re trying to focus. It’s probably one of the more confusing modes to play, but a damn good challenge.
– Swap — This one is complicated. Interesting, but a lot to keep up with if you’re not expecting it.
– Big Bang — This is a great mode that throws you into a pre-determined pattern that simply asks you to think, move the pieces/puyo the right way, and get done before the other person. To add more competitiveness to the situation, health bars are added. While this was a doozy in the story mode, there is a spot of this that will have you cursing, and it’s a doozy in the multiplayer mode. You can play Puyo v Tetris, Tetris v Tetris, and other ways. Out of the bunch, I think this might be the most intense mode. You can feel the game’s urgency through your competition’s efforts.
There are other modes here, including an online mode, but the above are the most noteworthy in my opinion. You will find much time and love playing competitive local and online modes. Again, this part of the game is made for people stuck in a pandemic who need to go head-to-head to get the blood flowing. It might test marriages too.
Conclusion
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a fun game that offers up more gameplay options than narrative depth. The competitive mode is the highlight of the release and gives you plenty of reasons to keep playing this sequel.
