Customer Reviews

Lumines II

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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!!!

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.

If you never played the original Lumines I suggest you pick part two especially for the cheap price tag.Game play is very simple but you don't play this game for for the simplicity but for the great music.Part one does have better songs but will never get bored with it.This version does have more songs and a lot more features.You simply can't go wrong.

So I've read several reviews only to be irritated by their cons. Call me biased because I love this game, but this game was brilliant. I won't describe the game mechanics as that's what the tutorials are for, or you can read what other people wrote on their summaries. But forget summaries, here's my Brief (honestly, would you rather read an essay style review?) review:

The visuals are like eye candy, can be confusing but that's where the challenge is. While you play with 2 different colored blocks you'll also enjoy a distracting music video in the background. And here's the twist, each song will have a different music video and color scheme to mess with your eyes. There is nothing Wrong with it, it makes it all the More fun with absurd random amusement. (example) Imagine yourself getting into the game and all of a sudden Gwen's Hollaback Girl music video plays to distract you from your moment of glory. Maybe people don't have my sense of humor or taste, but I find that hilarious. Not everyone will agree with the soundtrack, but I love it. Most of the tracks will be upbeat to get you into the game, while there will be some few random ones to throw you off your streak. Overall, it Should keep you smiling - no emo songs (no offense to emo genre, just saying that it'll keep you Smiling). On top of that, the game has plenty of side modes as well as replay value if you're the collector type. Now difficulty? I'd say it's as "hard" as Tetris without the dry monotony. Sooo if you're into all those many many games with blocks/gems falling down from screen (Tetris being the universal example), Lumines II is certainly promising.

efore I start, I just want to say that I joined the Lumines party quite late and only picked it up this year. Most people have had it since the games beginning, but as I always say its never too late to start a good thing

Lumines II is the sequel to the highly acclaimed Lumines I. It features double the content, double the songs (including ones from the first game), more modes, multiplayer and more. In fact it is good enough to be a great first entry for anyone who has not played Lumines before.

Lumines II is a puzzle game that is based on falling bricks. On each mode you lumines will fall to the ground and you have to orient them (basically rotating them) until they line up and make a square of 4 of the same color complex. You can keep adding and extending them in the time alloted and rack up points based on how big this is. There is a scanner bar that slides to the right every so often (based on the beat of the song). This will scan any blocks and if they are in that 4 color complex will be cleared away and added to your points. It is pretty fast paced but there is a helpful beginner difficulty that starts out pretty slow, so within twenty minutes or so players will know the basics.

As I said there are multiple modes, such as versus mode where you unlock skins (the term for each "level") and icons (icons for your avatar). There are multiplayer modes, synthesizer mode if you want to create your own beats and skins, the challenge mode (where you unlock the skins), a puzzle mode (clear all the lumines in an allotted amount of time), and a time attack mode (where you score as many points possible in time).

The game also keeps tons of statistics and records for your personal enjoyment and when milestones are reached skins are unlocked.

The skins is the final excellent portion of the game. Each tier in the challenge mode will net you twenty skins. Each skin has its own unique song and there are a wide range of Japanese pop and quirky hits to some licensed songs such as Hollaback Girl, Pump It, etc. Heavenly Star by Genki Rockets is a favorite by just about everyone too and that makes an appearance here. It is perhaps this sole reason that Lumines II has found wide appeal with every--the music variety.

The only CON is the that soundtracks choice of some Licensed tracks may not agree with everyone as not everyone likes Qwen Stefani etc. Fortunately, once you finish the skin it is unlocked though if you are trying to go for completion of a mode you will have to keep playing through that skin.

One minor tidbit: Only the dedicated pros will most likely complete and unlock every single skin in the game, so the game will probably never lose its replay factor.

Ultimately get Lumines II if you enjoy music-rhytm based games and are looking for something memorable and fun. I would also suggest getting Lumines I as well if you love the music too!

This game is amazing. Doesn't get boring even if it appears repetitive. Currently I am 80% done with the game and I've had it for a few months. Very high replay value. The music on the other hand is not the best, but it entertains.

This game takes a bit of time getting used to, but it can be quite fun. I am a fan of Tetris, but since it's not available on PSP, Lumines was the closest thing to it. I don't like the music the game tries to tout, but no big deal....

I commute to work by train everyday, an hour each way, and this game is a good time-killer.

This game is pretty fun... and I find myself playing it during lunch breaks and trying to get better at it. The better I get the more fun it is. But the more I play it the more I miss tetris and feel like something is missing in this game.

Great graphics and cool music effects though

First off the graphics are pretty good, above average and it's pretty flashy. Different tracks for each level and will waste your minutes like no other task. A simple level took 10-15 mins and it felt only like 2 or 3 so it's perfect for those minutes you want to waste away.
Rarely any lag and loading time is nothing. I have yet to beat the game since it obviously becomes harder and harder. Plus I'm not much of a puzzle person anyways, but picked this up for around 4 bucks on some sale at Toys R Us. I thought they stashed in it in that pile on accident, but whatever, I got it instead of version 1.
It's repetitive for sure and thus the 1 star off. It gets a tad bit annoying, but if you know how puzzles are, then it should be no problem.
Great game at a mere $20 and will literally give you HOURS of fun and fire up your brain like no other game.