Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Dossun! Ganseki Battle takes the classic falling‐block formula and injects it with a layer of pseudo-medieval fantasy combat. At its core you’re matching three or more identical icons—Books, Swords, Rocks or Bottles—to deal damage, heal yourself or simply clutter your opponent’s screen with useless Purple blocks. Clearing a match fires off an attack or a restorative potion, and the health bars displayed above each playfield add a visceral tension that’s missing from most pure puzzle titles.

(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 game’s real depth emerges when you start chaining matches. Simple two-chain combos unleash stronger fireballs or dragons, while elaborate multi-step cascades send grey “lock” blocks to your opponent’s area, forcing them to waste time and strategic space clearing unmoving obstacles. These grey blocks stay rooted in place until manually destroyed, creating choke points that can turn the tide of a close duel or make a comeback feel nearly impossible.

On top of that, Dossun! Ganseki Battle features a special‐attack system unlocked by lengthy chains. You can store up to three of these powerful abilities—such as clearing all Purple blocks, auto-using your potions, or wiping out the bottom three rows—in your arsenal and unleash them with the shoulder buttons. This mechanic elevates each match from a simple brawl into a chess-like mind game, where setting up your next big combo or saving your ultimate skill for a clutch moment becomes essential.

Graphics

The visual style of Dossun! Ganseki Battle is a charming throwback to 16-bit era fantasy, complete with richly textured backgrounds depicting castle courtyards, dark dungeons and enchanted forests. Each playfield is framed by ornate wood and iron borders, reinforcing the medieval theme without obscuring the action.

Block icons are bright and well-defined—Books glow with arcane runes, Swords flash with steel edges, Rock icons bear crackling fissures, and Bottles shimmer like liquid elixirs. Attack animations are equally impressive: landing a strong combo might see a fireball streaking across the screen or a winged dragon swooping down on your opponent. These effects are satisfying without ever slowing the pace.

Even the grey “lock” blocks that fall during chain reactions are designed with care: they look like weathered stone bricks, visually reinforcing their immovability. Though the title sticks to a retro palette, it leverages modern shading and particle effects to give the battlefield a dynamic, lived-in feel that keeps you immersed match after match.

Story

While Dossun! Ganseki Battle is primarily a puzzle game, it weaves in just enough medieval fantasy lore to give your duels context. You’ll face off as one of several combatants—knights, sorcerers or rogue alchemists—each with their own flavor text and victory animations. The narrative is light, but it provides a fun backdrop for your stone-smashing matchups.

The in-game dialogue is sparse, consisting mostly of pre-match taunts and post-victory quips, yet it manages to convey the personalities of the characters. Whether your warrior growls a defiant “Show me what you’ve got!” or your sorceress cackles at your failed combo, these small touches make each bout feel like part of a larger rivalry rather than a standalone puzzle skirmish.

For players craving a deeper plot, the story mode offers a short campaign of escalating challenges against CPU opponents. Each victory unlocks a bit more backstory and character art, but don’t expect lengthy cutscenes or branching narratives—the focus remains squarely on the puzzle combat itself. Still, the medieval theme and character variety add a welcome layer of charm to the core gameplay.

Overall Experience

Dossun! Ganseki Battle excels as a competitive puzzle title, blending fast-paced matching action with meaningful resource management and strategic decision-making. The dual objectives of keeping your own field clear while whittling down an opponent’s health bar inject adrenaline into every falling block.

The learning curve is gentle for newcomers to match-three games, but the depth of chain reactions and special attacks offers plenty of challenge to veterans. Local multiplayer is where the game truly shines: nothing beats the thrill of executing a massive combo just as your friend is poised for victory, sending them into a scramble to survive.

With its polished pixel art, crisp animations and addictive core loop, Dossun! Ganseki Battle is a must-try for fans of Columns or any block-matching contender that craves a battle element. It’s equally suitable for quick pick-up-and-play sessions and longer tournaments, making it a versatile addition to any puzzle-game library.

Retro Replay Score

null/10