Puyo Puyo Tetris was an unlikely but thoroughly addictive puzzle game when it arrived in 2014 and was eventually ported to the Nintendo Switch in 2017, and now its sequel is aiming to improve on its formula by adding RPG mechanics to its Skill Battle modes.

　　Players can create a team of three characters in Puyo Puyo Tetris 2's new mode, with each member having their own specialty skill that can reverse the tide of battle. These skills include the ability to recover HP, change the color of Puyos and even erase lines of Tetrominos.

　　As you battle through the dual-puzzle mode, you'll be able to earn experience points and increase the power of your team. You can level up a character's health points, mana points, attack, defense, and recovery by playing through the game's Adventure mode, and Item Cards can be used to improve character stats.

　　Three new leagues are also being added: Tetris League, Puyo Puyo League, and Skill Battle League. These leagues feature online play against other players in a competitive space with its own leaderboard. Challenge Ranks can be shared and compared with other players and will track your score in modes such as Endless Fever, Endless Puyo, Tiny Puyo, Sprint, Marathon, and Ultra.

　　Puyo Puyo Tetris 2Gallery

　　If you're looking for a more casual approach that allows you to set your own pace and rules, Puyo Puyo Tetris' Free Play mode is returning in the sequel. Sega also has post-launch plans to add more game features and additional characters when Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 launches on December 8.

　　A physical and digital Launch Edition can be preordered for PS4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S. More details on the Nintendo Switch, PC via Steam, and PS5 digital preorders will be revealed at a later date.

　　If you missed out on the original game, it's still worth a look as it scored an 8/10 in GameSpot's Puyo Puyo Tetris review for successfully fusing together two of the most popular puzzle games on the planet.

　　Darryn Bonthuys on Google+