"The successor to Tetris. Lumines is an experience not to be missed."

Lumines Game Review

Do no discredit the score of a perfect “10” until you've read in full what this game is all about. Lumines is the first, and so far only, puzzle game for the PSP. Having spent ample, and more than ample, time in its multiple playing modes, it is safe to say Lumines is one of if not the best launch title for the PSP.

GAMEPLAY - 10/10

The most addicting puzzle game since Tetris, and in my opinion it is even greater than its ancestor. Lumines takes the basic gameplay of Tetris and adds new levels of depth that makes you wonder why no one did it before.

The basic idea is to make squares out of four same colored blocks so that this passing time-bar will make it disappear, send the top pieces down, and up your score. Like Tetris, Lumines speeds up, in both rate of fall and speed of time-bar, and increases the challenge by requiring faster reflexes and quick thinking.

Single player Challenge Mode lets you keep going until you can't take it anymore. Inside Challenge Mode you play with a song/music video running in the background. As time goes on, the video and colors of the blocks will change, which is most welcome.

Another single player mode is Single Skin Mode. This is like Challenge Mode, but you select from a list of skins/music videos you have unlocked and play in that one until you finally lose. While in Challenge Mode you can unlock more of these skins, Single Skin Mode is purely for fun and love of the skin/music video you selected.

There are also Time Attack Modes in which you score as high as you can in 60, 180, 300, and 600 seconds.

The 2 Player and VS. CPU Mode are downright crazy. The same amount of playing space is available as in the Single Player Mode, but you're both using it. You start out with half the board and you try to take more and more of it by scoring as high as you can. This limits your opponent's playing space, and eventually running them out of room and giving you victory. Skins can be unlocks in VS CPU Mode.

Lastly there is Puzzle Mode where you attempt to make certain shapes and objects out of the falling squares. This can be tricky, and frustrating at times, but it is just as addictive as the Single Player Mode.

REPLAYABILITY - 10/10

Just as Tetris, Lumines will have you coming back for more each and every time you look at the casing. With its huge number of playable game modes, unlockable skins, VS modes, and multiplayer, the replay value of Lumines is uncharted.

GRAPHICS - 10/10

While not the best looking of the PSP launch lineup, Lumines has a style and look that is uniquely distinctive. The effects, flashes, fluid animation, background video, and the vivid colors all add to the experience. The only unimpressive thing about Lumines' visuals are its menus.

SOUND - 10/10

Crisp sounds, outstanding techno music, effects, its all so very overwhelming, and it really shines through on a pair of earbuds or headphones. The sound of Lumines is a stylish as its graphics.

OVERALL SCORE - 10/10

It's been a long time since I've played such a thoroughly addicting and satisfying game. The more you play, the better you get, and you keep trying to outdo yourself or your friends over and over again. Lumines is the one game that will stick with the PSP owner throughout the system's life.

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