A sequel to the best game on the PSP tries to top it, but fails. First impression : disappointment.
Unfortunately, I was right.
Generally, the skins with video playing in the background are too flashy and it's hard to see what is happening at times. They also lack slightly trancey and deliriously addictive feel to it that the original Lumines had. Some of the music doesn't fit the mood at all and it creates strange sense of mismatch and maladjustment. I was in fact waiting for those levels to end while playing through the challenge mode.
There is also a lot of recycling of the music and skins from original Lumines - granted, they are changed and have more futuristic look to them (or not - "Take the dog out to walk"), but generally the effect is very annoying (at least for me). In some cases I stumbled upon the skins I already played through a thousand times ("no! not again!"), in some cases I noticed that some of my favourite skins have been altered in a way I don't like ("what have you done with my beloved skin?").
On top of that, I was able to beat the Vs mode on my first attempt and I haven't played original Lumines for at least two months or so. Therefore it means it is also a whole lot easier.
Sure, there is a lot of skins, there is a new mode, generally there is more of Lumines in Lumines. But the delicate balance of the original that made it so good, its magic, its eerie feel - it is gone. Instead of being a unique experience, it is now just a solid puzzle game.
I will give it a second chance before I write a definite review, but for now I am simply disappointed.
I will soon write more on it on my blog at :
http://bartsnews.blogspot.com/