Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshioki yo!! delivers a fast-paced, competitive puzzle experience that’s immediately accessible yet difficult to master. You begin by selecting one of ten iconic characters from the Sailor Moon S era—each sporting a unique special attack that can instantly shift the tide of battle. The core mechanic revolves around clearing clusters of red, blue, or green blocks by clicking groups of the same color; the more blocks you clear in one click, the larger your combo and the greater your reward.

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As you chain combos and rack up clearings, you’ll send “black blocks” raining down on your opponent’s field. These inert blocks cannot be removed directly and serve to clog up their board until they manage a big enough combo to break them apart. This back-and-forth tug-of-war keeps matches tense and strategic, as you must balance between clearing your own board efficiently and timing your assaults to overload your rival.

One of the game’s strongest draws is the power bar that fills with each block you eliminate. Upon reaching specific thresholds, you can unleash your character’s signature move—whether it’s Sailor Mars’ fiery “Fire Soul” or Sailor Mercury’s water-shrouding “Shine Aqua Illusion.” These abilities not only clear blocks on your own screen but often bombard your opponent with extra black blocks or freeze their board momentarily, creating thrilling comeback opportunities.

The learning curve is gentle; newcomers can start chaining simple matches within minutes, while more experienced players will appreciate the depth of combo timing, board awareness, and tactical use of specials. Hint markers and a training mode help beginners discover advanced techniques like pre-stacking blocks for massive clears, ensuring that both casual fans and competitive puzzlers find satisfying challenges.

Graphics

Visually, the game embraces the bright, pastel-infused palette that defined the Sailor Moon S anime. Each character selection screen features beautifully illustrated portraits, capturing the Guardians’ personalities and signature poses. Block colors pop vividly against the playfield, making it easy to identify matches at a glance—even when the action becomes chaotic with cascading clears.

In-game animations for special attacks are a highlight: triggering a Sailor Jupiter thunderstorm or Tuxedo Mask’s heart-shaped rose barrage brings up short but impactful cutscenes that feel faithful to the source material. These visual flourishes not only reward you for filling the power bar but also provide a burst of nostalgia for fans who grew up watching the S arc.

The user interface remains clean and unobtrusive, with power meters, score tallies, and next-piece previews arranged around the playfield without obscuring critical areas. Backgrounds subtly shift between familiar locations—like the moonlit cityscape of Tokyo and the silhouette of the Crystal Palace—adding atmosphere without distracting from core gameplay.

Story

As a puzzle title, Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshioki yo!! doesn’t deliver a sprawling narrative campaign. Instead, it leans on the established lore of the S season, letting players imagine they’re reenacting battles against the sinister forces threatening Earth. Character profiles and brief voice lines bookend matches, offering just enough context to remind you why these Guardians fight.

The true “story” emerges from player rivalry: each head-to-head bout feels like a skirmish between two Sailor Scouts. You’ll picture Chibiusa darting around with playful taunts or the stoic Sailor Pluto maintaining her watch over time, even if there’s no branching storyline or dialogue tree. This minimalist approach keeps the focus squarely on the puzzle mechanics while honoring the spirit of team-based heroism.

For dedicated fans, unlocking every character and seeing their unique animations serves as its own reward. There’s also a series of mini-scenario vignettes that play when you clear a certain number of blocks, offering snapshots of friendship, determination, and the occasional villainous grin. These little touches give the game just enough narrative flair to satisfy those who care deeply about the Sailor Moon mythos.

Overall Experience

Bishōjo Senshi Sailor Moon S: Kondo wa Puzzle de Oshioki yo!! strikes a winning balance between nostalgia-driven fan service and solid puzzle gameplay. Matches are quick and infinitely replayable, making this an ideal party game for living room showdowns or a portable pick-up-and-play session. The diverse cast and varied special attacks ensure that no two battles feel exactly alike.

While the lack of a deep single-player story may disappoint those seeking a narrative adventure, the competitive framework and character variety keep the experience fresh. The learning curve rewards strategic thinking: mastering block pre-stacking, combo timing, and judicious use of specials provides a satisfying sense of progression that will keep you coming back for more.

Ultimately, if you’re a fan of Sailor Moon or simply enjoy fast-paced, head-to-head puzzle games, this title offers a charming and addictive package. Its polished presentation, faithful aesthetic, and engaging mechanics make it a standout in the genre—proving once again that true power comes when you unite the forces of friendship, teamwork, and tactical block clearing.

Retro Replay Score

null/10