Publisher: Compile

Puyo Puyo~n (1999)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Puyo Puyo~n: A Classic Puzzle Gem from the Saturn Era

Released exclusively in Japan in 1999, Puyo Puyo~n is the fourth installment in the beloved Puyo Puyo puzzle game series. Developed by Compile and published by Sega, this Saturn classic offers a delightful blend of addictive gameplay, charming characters, and innovative features that make it a standout in the genre.

Gameplay: A Familiar Formula with Exciting Additions

Puyo Puyo~n retains the core gameplay mechanics that made its predecessors so popular. Players compete to clear colorful, blob-like Puyos from a 6×12 grid by matching four or more of the same color together. By skillfully arranging and dropping Puyos, players can create chains and combos, sending cascades of Puyos crashing down on their opponents’ screens.

One of the key additions in Puyo Puyo~n is the introduction of super attacks, known as “Super Puyo.” By clearing chains, players can build up a charge meter that allows them to unleash devastating special abilities. These attacks can range from clearing large sections of the grid to sending nuisance Puyos to the opponent’s side.

Story: A Whimsical Adventure with a Sinister Twist

Puyo Puyo~n features a lighthearted and whimsical story that follows the adventures of Arle Nadja and her faithful companion, Carbuncle. The tale begins when Arle and Carbuncle receive an invitation to the “Puyo Puyo Circus” from a mysterious demon named Pierrot. Intrigued, they decide to attend, unaware of the sinister plot that awaits them.

As Arle and Carbuncle explore the circus, they encounter a cast of quirky characters and participate in a series of Puyo Puyo matches. However, things take a dark turn when Satan, the ruler of the Netherworld, appears and kidnaps Carbuncle. Determined to save her friend, Arle sets out on a perilous journey through the circus, battling various monsters and eccentric characters in a bid to reach Satan and retrieve Carbuncle.

Visuals and Sound: A Colorful and Memorable Presentation

Puyo Puyo~n boasts a vibrant and colorful art style that brings the game’s world to life. The character designs are adorable and expressive, and the backgrounds are filled with intricate details that create a sense of depth and atmosphere. The game’s soundtrack is equally impressive, featuring a catchy and upbeat collection of tunes that perfectly complement the lighthearted tone of the game.

Multiplayer and Connectivity:

Puyo Puyo~n offers a variety of multiplayer options, allowing players to compete against each other locally or via the Saturn’s online service, Sega NetLink. The game also supports up to four players, making it a perfect choice for friendly gatherings and intense puzzle battles.

Additionally, Puyo Puyo~n features a unique connectivity feature with the Game Gear game, Pocket Puyo Puyo Sun. By connecting the two games via the Saturn’s Transfer Pack, players can unlock additional artwork and content in Puyo Puyo~n.

Legacy and Impact:

Puyo Puyo~n was a critical and commercial success in Japan, solidifying the series’ popularity. While it never received an official release outside of Japan, the game has gained a cult following among import gamers and retro enthusiasts. Its innovative gameplay mechanics, charming story, and memorable characters have made it a beloved classic in the puzzle genre.

The game’s influence can be seen in subsequent Puyo Puyo titles, as well as in other puzzle games that have adopted similar gameplay elements. Puyo Puyo~n remains a testament to the enduring appeal of classic puzzle games and the creativity of Compile, the studio behind this timeless gem.

Conclusion:

Puyo Puyo~n is a captivating puzzle game that offers a perfect blend of classic gameplay, charming characters, and innovative features. Its vibrant visuals, catchy soundtrack, and engaging story mode make it a joy to play, while its multiplayer options and connectivity features add to its replay value. Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Puyo Puyo series or a newcomer to the genre, Puyo Puyo~n is a must-play classic that will provide hours of puzzling fun.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Puyo Puyo SUN (1997)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 6 minutes read

Summary

Puyo Puyo SUN: A Bright and Bubbly Puzzle Adventure

Puyo Puyo SUN is a competitive puzzle game released by Compile in 1997. It is the third installment in the Puyo Puyo series, and the sequel to the highly acclaimed Puyo Puyo Tsu. The game was released in arcades in Japan, and was later ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and Windows 95.

The story of Puyo Puyo SUN revolves around Arle Nadja, a young witch who must defeat Satan, who has enlarged the sun in a devious attempt to get a perfect tan. Arle sets out on a quest to defeat Satan and restore the sun to its normal size.

Gameplay in Puyo Puyo SUN is similar to that of its predecessors. Players control a pair of Puyos, which are colorful, blob-like creatures. The goal is to match four or more Puyos of the same color together to make them disappear. Puyos can be moved horizontally or vertically, and can be rotated to change their orientation.

New to Puyo Puyo SUN is the Sun Puyo, a special type of Puyo that can be used to clear large groups of Puyos. Sun Puyos can be created by matching four or more Puyos of the same color together in a square or rectangular formation. When a Sun Puyo is cleared, it will explode and clear all of the Puyos around it.

Puyo Puyo SUN also features a number of new game modes, including a story mode, a versus mode, and a puzzle mode. The story mode follows Arle on her quest to defeat Satan, and features a variety of cutscenes and dialogue. The versus mode allows two players to compete against each other, and the puzzle mode features a series of challenging puzzles that must be solved.

Puyo Puyo SUN was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best puzzle games ever made. The game’s colorful graphics, catchy music, and addictive gameplay have made it a favorite among fans of the series and puzzle games in general.

The History of Puyo Puyo SUN

Puyo Puyo SUN was developed by Compile, a Japanese video game developer founded in 1982. Compile is best known for the Puyo Puyo series, as well as other puzzle games such as Columns and Tetris Attack.

Development of Puyo Puyo SUN began in 1996, shortly after the release of Puyo Puyo Tsu. The game was designed to be a more traditional Puyo Puyo game than its predecessor, with a focus on simple and addictive gameplay.

Puyo Puyo SUN was released in arcades in Japan in 1997. The game was a critical and commercial success, and was later ported to the Sega Saturn, PlayStation, and Windows 95. The Saturn version was released merely three months after the arcade release, while the other ports were released in late 1997 and throughout 1998.

The Saturn, PlayStation, and Windows 95 versions of Puyo Puyo SUN feature fully voiced cutscenes unlike the original ST-V version. The Saturn version also features an exclusive arranged soundtrack.

The Gameplay of Puyo Puyo SUN

Puyo Puyo SUN is a competitive puzzle game for two players. The goal of the game is to match four or more Puyos of the same color together to make them disappear. Puyos can be moved horizontally or vertically, and can be rotated to change their orientation.

New to Puyo Puyo SUN is the Sun Puyo, a special type of Puyo that can be used to clear large groups of Puyos. Sun Puyos can be created by matching four or more Puyos of the same color together in a square or rectangular formation. When a Sun Puyo is cleared, it will explode and clear all of the Puyos around it.

Puyo Puyo SUN also features a number of new game modes, including a story mode, a versus mode, and a puzzle mode. The story mode follows Arle on her quest to defeat Satan, and features a variety of cutscenes and dialogue. The versus mode allows two players to compete against each other, and the puzzle mode features a series of challenging puzzles that must be solved.

The Legacy of Puyo Puyo SUN

Puyo Puyo SUN was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the best puzzle games ever made. The game’s colorful graphics, catchy music, and addictive gameplay have made it a favorite among fans of the series and puzzle games in general.

Puyo Puyo SUN has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, including the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game has also been included in a number of compilation releases, such as the Puyo Puyo Collection and the Sega Genesis Classics Collection.

Puyo Puyo SUN remains a popular puzzle game today, and is still enjoyed by fans of the series and puzzle games in general. The game’s simple and addictive gameplay, combined with its charming characters and colorful graphics, make it a timeless classic.

Review Score

9/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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