Lumines II

by Sony

Product Features

• Licensed soundtrack featuring songs and music videos by today's cutting edge musicians
• Wireless two-player local gameplay
• All new battle modes
• All new sensational 3D backgrounds
• All new and better graphics with streaming video in the background

Product Details

• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000SBR9JQ
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.5 inches ; 2.4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: November 7, 2006
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,271 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #82 in Video Games > Sony PSP > Action
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

The follow-up to Q Entertainment's innovative puzzle/music game. Gamers control squares made of four smaller block pieces that are dropped into the playing field one at a time to form same-color squares. The vertical "timeline" sweeps across the playing field from left to right and wipes the same-color squares from the playing field. Unmatched blocks pile up and the game ends when the pile gets to the top of the playing screen. Advance through many action-packed levels each with its own musical theme and sound effects. Format: SONY PSP Genre: SPORTS/GAMES/GAMES AND PUZZLES Rating: RP UPC: 712725003234 Manufacturer No: 07009501

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great addictive concept, but lacking some needed options, July 30, 2007

By 

Jayson (Rancho Santa Margarita, ca, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Lumines II (Video Game)

Much like it's predecessor Lumines and Lumines Plus, this little puzzle game is highly addictive and game play short enough where a player can get in a few rounds in 10 minutes or so.

The concept is simple enough, yet hard to master: 2x2 blocks fall down, Tetris style, where you must rotate and move the blocks inorder to match like colors in 2x2 or larger to clear them out. This action is continuous, and if they pile up too high, or you can't clear the board fast enough,...gave over.

Sound simple?

Not really because there are some unique twists to the game: every so often the colors change as does the foreground and background graphics making some visual changes the player needs to be prepared for throughout the game. Also the tempo of the music changes from time to time, thus speeding up and then slowing down the block drops equating in some frantic moments. And I'm not even sure how to describe the time-line sweep as it endlessly marches from left to right, only clearing blocks once the line has swept by.

On the positive side, the graphics are really fun, crisp, and colorful. The music is pretty awesome as well, especially if you are a fan of trance/dub/dance type music. It has various modes as well including single play, player vs. CPU, multi-player challenges, specific puzzle challenges and missions (specific puzzles that must be completed in a certain amount of time).

A few things that I would have like to have seen incorporated or changed:

The tutorial is visual only. You basically 'watch' how the game is played. I'm not a huge fan of these tutorials, especially because the pacing and timing of this one could be a bit better. I was a little confused on watching the screen and reading the scrolling ticker below as it tried to explain what was happening or what was about to happen. I generally like my tutorials hands on, and this one wasn't.

Some of the puzzles in puzzle mode are pretty unforgiving, unless you are a master of this game. Some of the time limits seem incredibly short, and there is no room for error. Once you screw up, you can't erase, and thus have to wait for the time to run out to let you know you 'fail' and attempt to try again. This can be a little frustrating at times.

There should be more options for difficulty as well. Basically, when you start the game in 'Challenge' mode, there are the following degrees: Beginner, Intermediate, & Advanced. Well, maybe I'm an old school gamer, but 'beginner' seems like it is starting at intermediate. When the game is playing there is a lot to keep track of at first between a wide screen, changing colors, tempo beats, etc. I'd like to see a 'novice' level specifically because the tutorial is so vague to begin with.

I'm having a heck of a time just on 'beginner', and what keeps me going is the hope I can hopefully by 'luck' (not sure by strategy at this point) unlock some additional music tracks, unless the advertised tracks are only available for intermediate and advanced levels. That would be uncool if that was indeed the case, because at beginner level, I've only heard about 5 tracks that repeat. While they are pretty awesome tracks, the box sports over 10 available tracks...so I am assuming they are unlockable. This here is an example of where the included manual could be better as well. Some of the articles within the manual are pretty vague as well....things such as 'unlockable' content...What is? Tracks? More puzzles? More icons or levels? It's never made clear. There are a few other 'unclear' things as well, such as 'Sequencer'. It's mentioned that it is customizeable, but never really tells you how or gives a clear example.

One thing that is missing, is the ability to add your own MP3's as background music.

Multiplayer allows you to go head to head with a friend and exchange 'sequencer' music created.

The scoreboard keeps track of all best scores and times.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lumines 2, October 27, 2007

By 

Moose - See all my reviews

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Lumines II (Video Game)

If you never played LUMINES 1 this game is sensational, if you already played the first version well, the second is better; more modes, more challenges, increase in difficulty, and more videos. I ve read some complaints about those new backgrounds that make it hard to play because of the contrast or because of the videos that catch too much your eyes. I believe that make the game more challenging. Afterall, this game is over and over the same as was Tetris, and in order to be a good player your ability of fast reaction and to stay focus will be tested!!!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brain crack, August 29, 2007

By 

Paul J. Ste Marie (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Lumines II (Video Game)

I'm not much of a gamer, but this is even more addictive than its predecessor. If you've played Tetris or something similar before it's very easy to pick up, and the background music videos are pretty good (and rather distracting at times). There's definitely much more variety on the musical genres and videos than in the first game. Casual gamers will love this.