You’re probably wondering several things right now:

• Where the hell is North Oak and Pikmin Idle???
• What is this BS!?!
• Why is it called DaiKon??

First and foremost, North Oak and Pikmin Idle are temporarily on hold. I will resume working on them once my interest in those games returns. Right now though, I want to make a puzzle action game akin to something you would see in an arcade.

That’s what DaiKon is, it's a puzzle action game where you match instrument bits. Essentially, Puyo Puyo but if the puyo were different kinds of instruments that make up a song. This game's main thing besides gameplay is music, and I wanted the gameplay and aesthetic to match.

The game is literally called “Dai-Kon” which is a mashup of two Japanese words:

• ⼤好き (daisuki) – meaning “I love it” or “I’m crazy about it.”
• 感じ (kanji) – meaning “feeling,” “vibe,” or “emotion.”

So together, “DaiKon” loosely translates to: “Love the feeling” or “Vibe I’m obsessed with.”

Before I explain the gameplay and other stuff of that nature, let me set the scene for this game. In this game you play as a DJ in Nighton, Recordsville. Throughout the game you take various DJ gigs where you’ll practice your DaiKon skills. You’ll meet several interesting characters, such as a retired country rock star, a sophisticated diplomat, a bored super villain, and even a talking rabbit.

Essentially, the order of the game goes:
Title Screen → Level → Opening Dialogue → Gameplay → Closing Dialogue → Next Level.

It’s pretty simple to follow, which is a good thing since the gameplay is the focus here.

Let’s Talk Gameplay

In DaiKon, you're not just stacking blocks, you're building music. Your goal is to keep the party alive by creating JAM!s using falling instrument bits in order to prevent the DaiKon Meter from hitting zero. Let’s break it down:

The Basics:

• As soon as the level starts, instrument bits will begin falling from the top of the screen.
• These come in all kinds of shapes and represent different musical elements like drums, synths, basslines, melodies, etc.
• You can move these bits left and right, and rotate them as they fall. This is pretty much the same as any other falling block puzzle game.
• Your objective is to connect 4 or more matching instrument bits into a single group to create a JAM!

What's a JAM!

• A JAM! is a burst of musical energy, like a perfect loop or moment of harmony that gets the crowd hyped.
• Creating a JAM! gives you points and boosts your DaiKon Meter (the key to beating the level).
• The bigger the JAM!, the bigger the reward. Combo multiple JAM!s in a row for more points.

The DaiKon Meter:

• The DaiKon Meter represents the energy of the crowd, and like real life it’s constantly draining.
• If the music stops hitting, the hype dies. Your mission is to keep it alive by consistently creating JAM!s.
• If the DaiKon Meter runs out, the crowd leaves. Game Over.
• Survive until the song ends and you win the level!

The Rhythm of Play:

• Each level is tied to a specific song. The better you play, the more the music builds and evolves.
• Every JAM! adds to the energy and can trigger new layers, effects, or bass drops.
• This makes your gameplay feel like you're live-mixing the track.

Strategy Tips:

• Plan ahead — the tempo and game speed are linked. If the song speeds up, so do you.
• Rotate and shift pieces to line up big JAM! setups. Larger combos boost the DaiKon Meter more.
• Stay calm during tense moments and listen to the music — it may help you anticipate your next moves.

Best way to describe it:

Think Puyo Puyo in a nightclub. Fast-paced, stylish, and filled with music.