Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S review

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is a spirited celebration of two of the finest puzzle franchises, blending the frantic, combo-building intensity of Puyo Puyo with the line-clearing precision of Tetris. One of the most immediately conspicuous qualities of the Switch 2 version is the game’s vibrant art style. Here, characters and backgrounds are drawn with bold, saturated colors, while the increased resolution makes every Puyo and Tetrimino resemble little jellies or blocks. Occasionally, the visual sheen is indulgent enough to make me think that OLED refresh might be superfluous.

Two Classics, One Grid

Unsurprisingly, multiplayer competitions are one of the core strengths of Switch 2 version. This becomes evident when diving into the game’s exclusive Puyo Tetris Doubles mode. This 2×2 cooperative experience challenges players with coordinating the drop of pieces on a shared playfield. Over the last few nights, this has been the catalyst for festive showdowns with friends that managed to get a complaint from a neighbor. Yes, it can get that lively.

Doubles tests a team’s strategy, cooperation, and communication skill, as players scramble to avoid screwing up each other’s moves. Of course, things will inevitably go bad for even the most harmonious of acquaintances, usually with hilarious results. 2S’ core multiplayer components fleshes this out with many returning challenges. Between the Versus, Skill Battle, Swap, Party, Fusion, and Challenge modes, there’s a healthy number of competitive offerings for local groups and online friends.

Yet, it’s the Doubles mode that stands out as an ultimate addition for couch-based parties. At least part of the potency stems from the accessibility of both Puyo Puyo and Tetris. Even non-gamers understood the goal and had no troubles with the accessible controls. The real hurdle for them wasn’t the technology; it was collaborating and coming up with a strategy for working together. Expectedly, there was quite a bit of post-game analysis over cocktails.

Battle with Brains (and Your MP Supply)

The game’s Adventure Mode is another highlight, delivering a lighthearted, story-driven campaign that offers a lengthy procession of puzzle challenges. Working your way across a world map, elements like amusing dialog, optional missions, and side stories help to make the component a compelling trek for solo players.

Individuals (or groups) can also take on RPG-inspired Skill Battles, where characters have stats, skills, and item cards. Here, you can spend MP to summon several different hinderances with a button press, building on Super Puzzle Fighter’s fights. In Skills, defeat comes when an opponents empties your life bar rather than having your pieces still over the top of the playfield.

Smooth Moves, Sharper Looks

On the technical side, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S benefits enhancements beyond just visuals. The game runs exceptionally smoothly, with fast load times and complete absence of slowdown even in four-player matches, improving Swap Mode. This version adds GameChat support, making it easier to communicate with friends online.

But it’s the inclusion of GameShare that’s especially welcome. Now, you can compete against local friends or online who own either a Switch 2 or the original hardware, with only one copy of the game. The sole drawback is the loss of a few pixels at the top of the screen, offering a constant reminder of who your opponent is. There’s also support for the new Joy-Con 2’s mouse controls. But honestly, it feels more like a curiosity (or player handicap) than a functional way to play.

A Modest Upgrade Over Previous Versions

Despite these improvements, some players may find the Switch 2 enhancements a bit limited given the game’s forty-dollar MSRP. Outside of the new Doubles mode and technical polish, the core experience remains largely unchanged from previous versions, which are available at a significantly cheaper price point. For returning players, this means 2S will feel very familiar with any excitement coming from the upgraded presentation and the novelty of the new multiplayer mode. At present, online hobbies are a bit empty. While matchmaking is functional, I couldn’t recommend Puyo Puyo Tetris for those planning to primarily play online.

A robust and endlessly replayable puzzle package, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S is ideal for those who missed out on earlier releases or are eager to experience the game’s vibrant visuals on their new hardware. Its combination of classic gameplay, a challenging story mode, and party-ready multiplayer makes it a standout entry in the Switch 2’s launch lineup, even if its new features are more iterative than revolutionary.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S was played on Switch 2 with review code provided by the publisher.