Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Puyo Puyo Sun builds upon the fast-paced, competitive puzzle formula established in the earlier Puyo Puyo titles, delivering a blend of risk-and-reward chaining that remains as addictive as ever. The core loop is simple: arrange falling puyo pairs to form groups of four or more matching colors, triggering clearances that send nuisance puyos to your opponent’s grid. This iteration introduces Sun Puyos, special yellow orbs that charge up as you clear normally colored puyos, allowing you to unleash even larger chain reactions when played strategically.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The addition of Sun Puyos deepens the decision-making process. Do you clear a modest chain quickly to send consistent garbage early? Or do you hold off, build Sun Puyos, and go for a high-risk, high-reward blowout that could instantly overwhelm an opponent? This layer of resource management ensures both newcomers and veterans remain engaged: newcomers appreciate the forgiving single-color clears, while experts can optimize Sun Puyo usage for maximum pressure.

Beyond the standard one-on-one mode, Puyo Puyo Sun includes a robust two-player head-to-head, local challenge puzzles, and unlockable gallery modes that add variety without diluting the core experience. Each match feels fresh due to dynamic pacing—once you’re comfortable with the basics, the game’s escalating garbage mechanics and variant rulesets keep you on your toes, especially when facing human opponents who adapt to your style.

Graphics

Visually, Puyo Puyo Sun retains the bright, cartoonish aesthetic that defines the series, but adds a sun-drenched flair. Backgrounds glow with warm oranges and yellows, evoking the title’s solar theme. Character portraits and cut-ins feature bold line work and expressive animations, making each victory pose and defeat reaction pop with personality.

The puyos themselves are rendered in crisp, saturated colors, ensuring that you never lose track of your next move, even in the heat of a frantic chain combo. Special effects—like the radiating light when Sun Puyos detonate—are delightfully exaggerated, providing satisfying visual feedback that reinforces the game’s energetic tone.

Performance remains rock solid, with virtually no input lag or slowdown even when massive chain reactions are unfolding on screen. Whether you’re playing in handheld mode or on a larger display, the clarity of the sprites and smoothness of the animations elevate what could have been a simple puzzle interface into a vibrant, character-driven showpiece.

Story

The premise of Puyo Puyo Sun is charmingly whimsical: the mischievous Dark Prince has supercharged the sun, threatening to scorch the Puyo world unless a hero steps in. This high-concept teasing of environmental catastrophe is delivered with tongue firmly in cheek, as the cast of brightly colored characters bickers, jests, and challenges one another in three parallel campaigns.

Each campaign casts you in a slightly different light—whether you’re helping Arle Nadja restore balance, thwarting the Dark Prince’s plans, or exploring alternative matchups with supporting characters, the humorous dialogue and playful rivalries keep the tone light. Story progress is conveyed through short, illustrated cutscenes that break up the gameplay nicely without weighing it down with lengthy cinematics.

While the narrative stakes may not rival a sprawling RPG, the simple “save the world from overheating” plot provides just enough motivation to tackle each opponent in turn. Fans of the series will appreciate the running gags and character callbacks, while newcomers will find the lighthearted atmosphere a refreshing change of pace in a puzzle game.

Overall Experience

Puyo Puyo Sun stands as one of the most polished and entertaining entries in the Puyo Puyo lineage, offering both immediate pick-up-and-play thrills and deeper strategic layers for dedicated players. Its combination of classic chain mechanics and the innovative Sun Puyo twist ensures that matches remain unpredictable and exhilarating.

For solo players, the three distinct story campaigns provide hours of content, peppered with unlockable modes and gallery bonuses that reward thorough exploration. Competitive players and couples will relish the local two-player battles, which quickly devolve into frantic races to out-chain and outsmart one another. Challenge modes add even more replay value, presenting puzzle scenarios that test your planning skills under time or move constraints.

Ultimately, Puyo Puyo Sun excels not by reinventing the wheel, but by perfecting and expanding upon a proven formula. Its vibrant presentation, clever mechanics, and roster of charming characters make it an excellent recommendation for anyone seeking a casual arcade experience or a deep puzzle showdown. If you enjoy quick-thinking gameplay sprinkled with strategy and a dash of whimsy, Sun is sure to brighten your collection.

Retro Replay Score

8.1/10