Lumines

"So.... Amazing...."

Wow. Just wow. This game was my first PSP game and I'm Loving It! But I'm not here to talk about me, so let's get to it shall we?

This review will be broken down into groups such as, Gameplay, Replay Value, and Difficulty etc.

Gameplay: 10/10

The gameplay in Lumines is so simple you could pick it up and just start to play. All you need is the D-Pad and any one of the Face Buttons to rotate your piece. The object of the game is to make squares of 4 or more of the same color. Easy right? Not so much. Every time you drop a block a bar comes across and deletes any squares you have created. With music going in the background and you playing with the beat it makes this game a very challenging one.

Graphics: 10/10

For a 2D puzzle game you'd be surprised at the quality of the graphics. Once you reach Skin 3 or 4 in Challenge Mode you'll see. The colors jump out at you entertaining you none-the-less.

Modes: 10/10

Lumines features few modes but to each their own. For example in Challenge Mode (the main mode) you play through ‘levels' and ‘skins'. You advance to a new skin (background and song) ever 4 Levels. With 39 skins to unlock you'll be busy for a long while.

Want to play something you've unlocked? Go to Single Skin mode just to play whatever skin is your favorite! Nice feature here.

While in VS. CPU mode you play against the computer to unlock other skins and new characters to choose from.

And of course, Puzzle Mode. Puzzle Mode is a very challenging mode where the game gives you a design or goal to reach and you have limited time to do it in. In Time Trial mode you try to delete as many squares as possible in 60 secs up to 600 secs. If you score high enough you'll get a new character.

No shortage of modes here

Sound/Soundtrack: 20/10

The main part of this game is its soundtrack, and what a soundtrack! With every kind of music imaginable and funky skins to go along with it this game is an amazing surprise of ear tickling pleasure.

Play Time/Replay Value: Infinite/10

Hey, it's a puzzle game, play it as much as you like. Although every time you get Game Over you have to start over a skin 1 again you won't get tired of the songs. Many people can play for HOURS on end and not get bored and also not get very far. It's a game with an easy to play and hard to master feel.

Rent or Buy?

Buy. Definitely With so much to do and so much fun to play you should defiantly pick this one up and have fun with it!

Overall: 10/10

I never would've thought my first game for a new console would be a puzzle, Tetris like game but it is, and I couldn't be happier! You will not bore of this game easily nor will you so to speak ‘finish' it. This game will entertain your brain and you'll find out new tricks as you play along. Enjoy!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 03/28/05