The first Puyo Puyo Tetris was originally released for pretty much every single gaming console that existed back in 2014, but initially only in Japan. It took Sega a further three years to localize those titles and release them in the West, with an additional port for the Nintendo Switch. Taking The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild out of the equation, that was basically the single best title released for the system during its first couple of months or so. For as much as I loved that game (in fact, I still do), I don’t think I ever considered the possibility of Sega releasing a sequel for it. I just didn’t know what could even be added to the mix. This didn’t stop them from trying, and Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 was finally released in 2020, with a brand new PC version available right now.

The fact that Puyo Puyo Tetris was a hit to begin with is already a miracle. Who would have thought that mixing two completely different puzzle styles in one big mess of a gameplay loop would not only work, but be so fun? Nobody could have ever imagined that Tetris and Puyo Puyo would go together like peanut butter and jelly. Not only that, but the game was filled with a ton of side content, such as different endurance modes, a cheesy but enjoyable story campaign, unlockable characters, and of course, separate Tetris and Puyo Puyo modes for purists. Believe it or not, the bar was set pretty freaking high for a potential sequel.

And that’s the big issue: technically speaking, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is excellent. It’s as fun as its predecessor. But it’s also way too similar to the original Puyo Puyo Tetris. With the exception of a few new modes (which don’t really add a lot to the overall experience), a brand new RPG mechanic, and some new characters, this is exactly the same game as before. Considering how great the first Puyo Puyo Tetris was, that’s not exactly a bad thing. However, if you own the first game, there’s little incentive to convince you to double dip on almost exactly the same title released nearly seven years ago.

The brand new inclusion is the introduction of RPG elements to both the story mode and the brand new Skill Battle mode. They play just like any other mode in this game, as your main objective is to simply the opponent by sending your dumped lines or gems to the other side of the screen. Although, the main difference here is that your “attacks” now inflict damage onto a health bar and you have access to special skills depending on which character you decide to include in your team. Abilities cost MP, which you can increase (as well as your HP) by leveling up, so on and so forth. It’s not intrusive, nor is it very exciting, but it’s there, available for you to play. Just a brand new mode in a game already full with dozens of them.

Otherwise, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 just tries to (very slightly) improve upon what was already present in its predecessor. A welcome overhaul to the online multiplayer in the shape of “Puzzle Leagues” and a revamped (and less dumb) story mode are the main highlights. Some of the characters have brand new voice actors, with the overall quality of the voice acting being a bit less egregious than the one featured in the original Puyo Puyo Tetris. With that being said, I do feel like the soundtrack in Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 just isn’t as good as the one featured in its predecessor. For some bizarre reason, Sonic the Hedgehog is also a playable character in this game. Go figure.

And… that’s basically it. Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is a very good puzzle game in its own right, but it’s a hard sell. It’s way too similar to its predecessor to justify its somewhat steep price tag. It looks identical, plays identical, sounds almost identical, and the handful of modes and quality of life improvements could have easily been released as expansions for the original Puyo Puyo Tetris. I may be sounding way too harsh, but don’t get me wrong, this game is tons of fun and stupidly addictive. Sega, once again, delivered a colossal puzzle title that could easily become an e-sport staple. It’s just more of the same. At a cost.

 

Graphics: 6.0 Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 looks absolutely exactly like its predecessor, for better or worse.	Gameplay: 10 The control schemes and gameplay loops from Puyo Puyo and Tetris are as responsive as ever, and still work together way better than one would have ever imagined. The handful of new mechanics, such as slight RPG elements, do not compromise the overall gameplay at all.
Sound: 7.0 Even though the voice acting is a bit less irritating than before, I do feel like the original Puyo Puyo Tetris had a slightly better soundtrack.	Fun Factor: 8.5 Very little has been added in Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 to justify its existence as a full-fledged sequel, but it’s still incredibly fun and highly addictive, just like its predecessor.
Final Verdict: 8.0

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 is available now on PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Switch.

Reviewed on PC.

A copy of Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 was provided by the publisher.