Given that it turned out it was actually only the final boss I was struggling with in Puzzle! Mushihimetama when I was reviewing Puzzle Uo Poko, I've changed my mind a little about Toshiaki Tomizawa's second bubble shooting game. It might have been harsh to call it a bubble hell, when it wasn't anything but a little more challenging and I could finish it on my second attempt within a good hour when I was more awake. I might even become tempted to try a 1cc one day, because it should be totally possible.
Having that out of the way, Puzzle! Mushihimetama is obviously the successor of the more obscure Puzzle Uo Poko with the Mushihimesama theme added, so other than the Pachinko vs. Puzzle Bobble gameplay, it finally has an anime girl with the Princess from the Shoot'em'up. She doesn't do much though, except for some cute sounds and poses when you free the bug babies to finish the puzzle instead of erasing all bubbles like in the predecessor.
The presentation appears more wholesome than Puzzle Uo Poko though, which was something I criticized in that game. In fact, with that bug theme included it of course makes sense to implement the bosses from Mushihimesama to create a new challenge. Coming from the more relaxing and forgiving Puzzle Uo Poko though, I wasn't expecting Puzzle! Mushihimetama to require that much velocity, reaching its peak in said final boss. You really have to hit relentlessly to succeed.
With the credits rolling, I must admit it was more about me than the game though. I was exhausted after failing to beat the final boss in Varth, had finished Puzzle Uo Poko for recreation and expected Puzzle! Mushihimetama to be just another game to chill before I finally go to bed. Had I not known the predecessor and been alert enough for the pace, I might have enjoyed Mushihimetama instantly. The only real downside is that you've got to push your lever up between stages instead of having you pull as well like in the game, which to me feels more awkward than satisfying.
In conclusion both games have their limitations drawn from their puzzle game niche, but also their individual strengths in that I might still pick Puzzle Uo Poko with my brain in zombie mode and Puzzle! Mushihimetama if I'm up for the more arduous sequel that's also far from unbeatable once you've zoned in. It's just a little more struggle compared to the rewarding emotion of cleaning up in Uo Poko and it might be my OCD is triggered by the fact I can't always remove all bubbles before the stage is done.
Having that out of the way, Puzzle! Mushihimetama is obviously the successor of the more obscure Puzzle Uo Poko with the Mushihimesama theme added, so other than the Pachinko vs. Puzzle Bobble gameplay, it finally has an anime girl with the Princess from the Shoot'em'up. She doesn't do much though, except for some cute sounds and poses when you free the bug babies to finish the puzzle instead of erasing all bubbles like in the predecessor.
The presentation appears more wholesome than Puzzle Uo Poko though, which was something I criticized in that game. In fact, with that bug theme included it of course makes sense to implement the bosses from Mushihimesama to create a new challenge. Coming from the more relaxing and forgiving Puzzle Uo Poko though, I wasn't expecting Puzzle! Mushihimetama to require that much velocity, reaching its peak in said final boss. You really have to hit relentlessly to succeed.
With the credits rolling, I must admit it was more about me than the game though. I was exhausted after failing to beat the final boss in Varth, had finished Puzzle Uo Poko for recreation and expected Puzzle! Mushihimetama to be just another game to chill before I finally go to bed. Had I not known the predecessor and been alert enough for the pace, I might have enjoyed Mushihimetama instantly. The only real downside is that you've got to push your lever up between stages instead of having you pull as well like in the game, which to me feels more awkward than satisfying.
In conclusion both games have their limitations drawn from their puzzle game niche, but also their individual strengths in that I might still pick Puzzle Uo Poko with my brain in zombie mode and Puzzle! Mushihimetama if I'm up for the more arduous sequel that's also far from unbeatable once you've zoned in. It's just a little more struggle compared to the rewarding emotion of cleaning up in Uo Poko and it might be my OCD is triggered by the fact I can't always remove all bubbles before the stage is done.