Puyo Puyo~n

Puyo Puyo~n is the fourth mainline title in the Puyo Puyo franchise and the last to be developed by Compile.

Plot
Whilst looking through his library, Satan comes across a black box sitting between his books. He picks it up and examines it before accidentally dropping it. The box begins to unlock itself, as Satan watches on in awe before the lid pops open, sprouting forth golden light that encircles him.

The following day Arle and Carbuncle come across a travelling circus. Entering the big top, they take their seats. The Ringmaster looks very familiar to Arle and declares that he will make Carbuncle disappear, and does so as part of the act. Arle applauds happily until the circus comes to a close and Carbuncle does not return. Arle begins questioning the circus workers but manages to get into several disagreements that lead to Puyo battles.

Eventually Arle meets up with Draco who once again challenges her thinking the masked ringmaster is the judge of a beauty contest. Upon being defeated by Arle, Draco joins the party and helps her look for Carbuncle. Arle also meets up with Seriri, Witch and Chico who also join the party and travel with Arle.

The group run into both Schezo and Rulue, the latter of whom recognises something is unusual about Satan. With Arle defeating Rulue, she entrusts Arle to save Satan and Carbuncle, pointing the group in the direction of another circus tent. Inside Satan is behaving strangely, and unlike himself. He freezes everyone but Arle and challenges her to Puyo combat.

After defeating Satan, Arle demands to know where Carbuncle is, but Satan states he'd never run off with Carbuncle against his will. Suddenly a jester like figure known as Pierrot appears, revealing they have kidnapped Carbuncle and they will not hand him over without a fight.

Pierrot reveals who they are upon their defeat and to Arle's shock it's...Arle. Doppelganger Arle reveals she is fuelled by jealousy and hatred and wishes to replace Arle with Carbuncle at her side.

Gameplay
Whilst the core gameplay of Puyo Puyo~n is similar to it's predecessors(in particular Puyo Puyo Tsu), it also introduces a new character special mechanic. Special abilities change from character to character and give more variety and variation to the cast. In story mode Arle cannot use her own special ability due to story events locking it out, but by recruiting other characters such as Draco, Seiriri, Witch and Chico she can call upon their powers.

The Nintendo 64 and Playstation version have an abridged version of the Dreamcast story, but also add on a survival mode where the player, as Arle, must defeat as many opponents as possible.

Trivia

 * The '~n' part of the title is a pun, stretching out the second Puyo in the title into the Japanese for four. 'Puyo~n '
 * This is the last mainline Puyo Puyo entry developed by Compile.
 * The artwork and animation of this title are far more detailed than other entries.
 * The cutscene story was originally intended to be far darker, but were made more lighthearted at the request of the staff who felt everything was far too serious.