(this is a repost of my Steam review with some slight modifications. you can read the original review here: https://steamcommunity.com/id/huuishuu/recommended/546050/)
I am torn. I've wanted Puyo Puyo Tetris for an insanely long time, mainly because I just wanted a way to play Tetris on PC and this was the only game on Steam that's available to fulfill that need. That's the main reason I've wanted this. Puyo Puyo be damned. But with this...you're getting two games in one. I guess that's the whole point with what the game's called.
But why am I torn? I wanna mention a few things. The production values for something like this are fantastic. There is a full blown adventure mode serving to present a little story mode with a whole cast of characters. I'm not all too familiar with them though, seeing as this is my first entry in the Puyo Puyo franchise(?), but the story is lighthearted and doesn't seek to accomplish much aside from having a reason to combine Puyo Puyo and Tetris into one game. I love the art style and the voice acting. The campaign itself for me ranges from "wow this is really easy" to "oh god I have no idea what I'm doing please help". But that's not a bad thing - people familiar with one game have a good platform to learn and understand a new game in a very casual environment, as the AI often enough isn't too hard on you and treats you as a newbie for a good majority of it. Some may see it as needless handholding, I see it as not overwhelming people who might not be familiar with one or the other (or both).
I also enjoy the fun & quirky game modes, Big Bang was an absolute blast to play and going on a massive win streak there against the AI is super satisfying. And the accessibility for new players is great, Puyo Puyo or Tetris - the game does a great job at introducing players to the core mechanics of each. My only gripe with this though is how there are no maps or tutorials to specifically practice certain techniques. For example, I want to learn how to T-Spin but I find it really difficult to manage setting up T-Spin combos and just end up making a bigger problem than necessary. Some practice maps where everything is already set-up for T-Spinning would've been amazing and would've definitely helped ease myself into the mechanics of the game, specifically timing. The closest the game gets to that is a few challenges during Big Bang if you choose Tetris, but you're never given enough time to complete them before it begins tallying up the results and decides the victor of that wave.
Now here's the thing I don't particularly enjoy - the online mode. I've heard of the numerous connection problems people point out but I always thought to myself that it can't be that bad, but sure enough - it's bad. There were multiple occasions when I was playing against someone and the game just freezes with a connection error. A win is added to my profile and I gain a bunch of ranks. It doesn't feel like I've won anything. That, coupled with the fact matchmaking does NOT take into account people's skill levels means you are going to have a VERY miserable time playing online-versus mode. Seriously, as a very low-skill, low-tier Tetris player, I can't last even 10 seconds with some of these people, leading me to get frustrated and leave. Online is not at all newbie friendly, as every person in the online mode will do anything and everything to win. I tried telling them to "go easy on me" but people always ignore those greetings messages. I tried seeing if there were any newbie free-play lobbies for me to have a more comfortable online experience, but it seems like the only thing anyone ever plays is the matchmaking, so online is a complete no-go if you are at all a low-level Tetris player. Don't even bother if you don't know the ins and outs of either Puyo Puyo or Tetris, you will quite literally get absolutely demolished.
Do I recommend this? If you're only interested in an online Tetris or Puyo Puyo, no. Jstris is a better & free alternative in your browser, so play that if you want Tetris with multiplayer. As for Puyo Puyo multiplayer, I can't give you any pointers seeing as this is my first Puyo Puyo, Mean Bean Machine not withstanding. If you want a Tetris game on PC - sure. If you want a Puyo Puyo & Tetris combo game with a story mode that incorporates both while introducing unique twists - yes.
I don't regret my purchase but I only see this game as a single player only game unfortunately. I wish the online community was a little more easy-going towards newer players.
I am torn. I've wanted Puyo Puyo Tetris for an insanely long time, mainly because I just wanted a way to play Tetris on PC and this was the only game on Steam that's available to fulfill that need. That's the main reason I've wanted this. Puyo Puyo be damned. But with this...you're getting two games in one. I guess that's the whole point with what the game's called.
But why am I torn? I wanna mention a few things. The production values for something like this are fantastic. There is a full blown adventure mode serving to present a little story mode with a whole cast of characters. I'm not all too familiar with them though, seeing as this is my first entry in the Puyo Puyo franchise(?), but the story is lighthearted and doesn't seek to accomplish much aside from having a reason to combine Puyo Puyo and Tetris into one game. I love the art style and the voice acting. The campaign itself for me ranges from "wow this is really easy" to "oh god I have no idea what I'm doing please help". But that's not a bad thing - people familiar with one game have a good platform to learn and understand a new game in a very casual environment, as the AI often enough isn't too hard on you and treats you as a newbie for a good majority of it. Some may see it as needless handholding, I see it as not overwhelming people who might not be familiar with one or the other (or both).
I also enjoy the fun & quirky game modes, Big Bang was an absolute blast to play and going on a massive win streak there against the AI is super satisfying. And the accessibility for new players is great, Puyo Puyo or Tetris - the game does a great job at introducing players to the core mechanics of each. My only gripe with this though is how there are no maps or tutorials to specifically practice certain techniques. For example, I want to learn how to T-Spin but I find it really difficult to manage setting up T-Spin combos and just end up making a bigger problem than necessary. Some practice maps where everything is already set-up for T-Spinning would've been amazing and would've definitely helped ease myself into the mechanics of the game, specifically timing. The closest the game gets to that is a few challenges during Big Bang if you choose Tetris, but you're never given enough time to complete them before it begins tallying up the results and decides the victor of that wave.
Now here's the thing I don't particularly enjoy - the online mode. I've heard of the numerous connection problems people point out but I always thought to myself that it can't be that bad, but sure enough - it's bad. There were multiple occasions when I was playing against someone and the game just freezes with a connection error. A win is added to my profile and I gain a bunch of ranks. It doesn't feel like I've won anything. That, coupled with the fact matchmaking does NOT take into account people's skill levels means you are going to have a VERY miserable time playing online-versus mode. Seriously, as a very low-skill, low-tier Tetris player, I can't last even 10 seconds with some of these people, leading me to get frustrated and leave. Online is not at all newbie friendly, as every person in the online mode will do anything and everything to win. I tried telling them to "go easy on me" but people always ignore those greetings messages. I tried seeing if there were any newbie free-play lobbies for me to have a more comfortable online experience, but it seems like the only thing anyone ever plays is the matchmaking, so online is a complete no-go if you are at all a low-level Tetris player. Don't even bother if you don't know the ins and outs of either Puyo Puyo or Tetris, you will quite literally get absolutely demolished.
Do I recommend this? If you're only interested in an online Tetris or Puyo Puyo, no. Jstris is a better & free alternative in your browser, so play that if you want Tetris with multiplayer. As for Puyo Puyo multiplayer, I can't give you any pointers seeing as this is my first Puyo Puyo, Mean Bean Machine not withstanding. If you want a Tetris game on PC - sure. If you want a Puyo Puyo & Tetris combo game with a story mode that incorporates both while introducing unique twists - yes.
I don't regret my purchase but I only see this game as a single player only game unfortunately. I wish the online community was a little more easy-going towards newer players.