Lumines Remastered PS4 review

The popularity of Nintendo's Game Boy console is not due to a plumber or an elven hero dressed in green. It was a puzzle game called Tetris that became the standard for puzzle games.

Lumines: Puzzle Fusion was a launch title for Sony's PSP console in 2004 by Q Entertainment and Tetsuya Migiuchi. Lumines was the PSP's Tetris, the best puzzle game. Despite numerous sequels, Lumines failed to reach its intended audience due to its relatively low sales.

Lumines Remastered is the answer. This remaster of the original game was released on Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Windows.

The game's mechanics are very simple. The screen will display dual-colored blocks that can be placed on or separated from each other. To make the block disappear, create a 2x2 block of the same color. You can stack your blocks together to make them disappear in an extended combination, increasing that all-important high score.

Lumines' raison d’etre is a audio-visual twist. Lumines' raison d'etre is a bar that moves in sync with the background music. This bar causes the blocks to disappear. You need to not only think strategically about where you want your blocks to be placed, but also how you will time it to match the music. This clever twist on an already simple idea is made possible by a variety of "skins" that change the music and visual style. It's easy to fall into a mesmerizing state. The Lumines Effect, which is where falling blocks interrupt vision, thoughts, and dreams, is just as powerful as the Tetris Effect.

The TV's big screen displays crisp visuals, but the music is infectious and fun. The music ranges from melodic guitar sounds to blissful pop, electronica and more. There are also beautiful aesthetics. Skin Edit mode lets you create a playlist with your favorite songs to get in the groove.

Q Entertainment gets a lot of mileage from their premise. You cycle through skins to achieve level 100. Time Attack allows you to set a time limit and hit a high score. Vs CPU lets you battle the computer for control of the play area. You can also battle your opponent 2P in local multiplayer, but unfortunately there is no online mode.

The Puzzle and Mission modes are perhaps the most interesting and intriguing. The former requires you to complete specific tasks, such as clearing a stage within a specified time or erasing certain blocks. While the former asks you to make specific shapes using the blocks. These modes allow you to expand your experience and see new ways to combine blocks to help you with your Challenge mode strategies. Additionally, the puzzle is shown before you start thinking.

Lumines, regardless of which mode you choose is extremely difficult. It is easy to lose a block or make a mistake, and the CPU can be aggressive in battle. This ensures that this puzzle game is both fun and useful, despite its addictive premise.

Although it is strange to play the game on console (PS4), it does feel odd. As short, portable experiences that you can access on the move, puzzle games are great for consoles. Lumines is tied to your TV, and it competes for attention with longer quests and more complex adventures. The Switch is the best console among the bunch.

This remaster includes a few changes to the original: The original's sequel takes Mission mode, Puzzle mode is expanded upon and new rumble options make the Switch version the best.

Lumines Remastered is available on any console or mode, and allows you to replay the classic puzzle game you missed the first time around. There are no excuses.