Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S Review – Same Puzzle Pieces, New Box

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S Review

Two iconic puzzlers collide again in one of gaming’s strangest and most enduring crossovers. Following the success of the franchise, SEGA returns with Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S, a revamped sequel built to take advantage of the Nintendo Switch 2’s enhanced capabilities. But do the new features justify a second spin, or is this upgrade just more of the same?

Whereas Tetris requires you to create lines to remove blocks, Puyo Puyo involves connecting four blobs of the same colour in order to clear the area. Although they’re different in premise, the ethos remains the same, which leads to an addictive formula whether enjoyed individually or as a fusion of the two.

Time to Puzzle!

Adventure mode is central to the experience, featuring an array of scenarios tied together by a largely forgettable plot. While the characters are equipped with quirky personalities and deliver some humorous lines, the narrative struggles to engage due to the paper thin plot. Regardless, it’s a strong way to tie the many scenarios together in one succinct mode.

While you can stick to your preferred puzzle type in modes like Marathon and beyond, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S subtly encourages players to master both. In Adventure mode, progress depends on completing specific challenges, often requiring proficiency in both Puyo Puyo and Tetris. Fortunately, even if you’re more comfortable with one, the game does a great job easing you into the other. With each mission graded on a star system, there’s plenty of incentive to replay and refine your performance, making this mode surprisingly deep and rewarding.

Local play is at the heart of the game, with a variety of modes that will keep you entertained for hours on end. In addition to the standard Versus, Party and Big Bang, there’s also Swap, which changes between the two puzzlers every 25 seconds. Hectic but fun, it’s a great challenge that requires you to juggle systems. Fusion cranks up the chaos by giving you both Tetriminos and Puyos so that you’re essentially playing both games at the same time. While it takes a few rounds to get to grips with the systems, it’s a thrilling and challenging mode.

Searching For Something New

Skill Battle is an interesting mode that introduces team-based mechanics into the puzzle action. Reminiscent of Super Puzzle Fighter, you’ll choose a squad and battle opponents by clearing Puyos or Tetriminos to chip away at their HP. Each character brings a unique ability to the table, which can be activated mid-match to shift momentum and turn the tide when used strategically. It’s a clever twist that adds meaningful depth and a layer of RPG-style planning. However, as you begin leveling up characters and juggling team composition, the mode can start to feel a bit overcomplicated, potentially putting off players who prefer a more straightforward puzzle experience.

A new feature for the 2S edition is the ability to play 2v2. Each team works on their own grid and must work together to be victorious. Communication is key, as you must set up sequences for one another in order to remove blocks from the board. It can be frantic and is a fun way to involve 4 players. In addition to this, you can also use the new mouse controls, which worked well but lacked the accuracy of a D-pad. As these are essentially the only new aspects in 2S, owners of the original may want to skip this release.

Packed With Content

There is a range of online options that support any preference of play. Leagues designed for each Puzzle or combination allow you to test your skills against others. Each match I played was stable, even though it took a while to find an opponent. Challenge Rankings and Boss Raids are also included to add variety to the online aspect of the game.

Puyo Puyo Tetris 2S remains a strong puzzler that successfully merges two iconic franchises into one cohesive, content-rich package. Mechanically tight and perfectly suited for portable play, it’s an easy recommendation for newcomers looking to dive into a vibrant and addictive puzzle experience. That said, the additions in this version are relatively minor, offering little incentive for returning players who already own the previous release. For fresh players though, it’s a delightful crossover worth your time.

***A Nintendo Switch 2 code was provided by the publisher***