Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

U.P.P. delivers a refreshing twist on the classic puzzle formula by flipping the familiar Columns-style action upside down. Instead of gems falling from the top, they rise from the bottom, creating a sense of urgency as you race against the rising tide of colored orbs. This inversion forces you to rethink your spatial awareness, providing both veterans and newcomers with a novel challenge that never feels stale.

The true magic of U.P.P. lies in its Soul Gauge mechanic. Each set of three or more matched gems fills your gauge a little more, and once it’s charged, you can unleash one of three special attacks unique to your chosen fighter. These abilities range from sending disruptive blocks to your opponent’s grid to clearing large swathes of gems on your own board, allowing you to swing momentum in your favor at pivotal moments.

With eight distinct fighters in the Soul Fight International Championship, each boasting three different skills, the game strikes a fine balance between accessibility and depth. Beginners can quickly learn the basics of matching color patterns, while dedicated players will spend hours mastering character-specific combos and timing their Soul Gauge releases for maximum effect.

Graphics

Visually, U.P.P. adopts a clean, vibrant aesthetic that keeps the focus squarely on the gameplay. The multi-colored gems stand out crisply against the darkened background of each fighter’s arena, ensuring that matches are always easy to read even in the heat of battle. This clear visual hierarchy helps players make split-second decisions without straining their eyes.

Character portraits and arenas are rendered in a stylized, anime-inspired art style that adds personality to each contestant. While the backgrounds are fairly minimalistic—after all, the emphasis is on the puzzle play—they’re animated subtly with ambient effects that give each stage its own atmosphere.

Special attacks are accompanied by punchy visual and sound effects, from electrifying glows to explosive bursts, giving the game a satisfying feedback loop every time you trigger your Soul Gauge. These flare-ups not only look great but also signal to both players that the tide of battle may be turning.

Story

The narrative of U.P.P. is straightforward yet engaging: eight fighters have converged at the Soul Fight International Championship to determine who will reign supreme. While there isn’t a sprawling, plot-heavy campaign, the tournament setup provides a clear through-line and stakes for each match.

Each character brings a unique backstory and motivation to the competition, revealed through brief cutscenes and victory monologues. These snippets are enough to pique your curiosity about the fighters’ pasts and rivalries without bogging down the main puzzle action with lengthy dialogue sequences.

Thanks to the roster’s diversity—from stoic samurai to lightning-fast martial artists—there’s a satisfying narrative payoff in seeing how different personalities clash both in pre-match banter and in the heat of combat. For players who enjoy a bit of context behind their arcade-style clashes, U.P.P. strikes a nice balance between depth and brevity.

Overall Experience

U.P.P. shines as a quick-to-learn, hard-to-master puzzle fighter that you can dive into for a few casual rounds or a full-on tournament marathon. Its unique upside-down matching mechanic breathes new life into a familiar genre, ensuring that each playthrough feels dynamic and engaging.

Replayability is high, thanks to the combination of eight characters, each with three special moves, plus the varying difficulty of the CPU opponents as you progress through the Soul Fight Championship. Whether you’re aiming to perfect your chain combos or outwit friends in local versus mode, there’s always a new angle to explore.

For fans of competitive puzzle games or anyone seeking a fresh spin on tile-matching action, U.P.P. delivers an addictive blend of strategy, speed, and showmanship. Its polished presentation, tight controls, and tournament-driven framework make it a standout title that’s well worth your time.

Retro Replay Score

null/10