Get ready for a Block Party! This is the best not-Tetris game since, well..Tetris!
Blocks fall, as previously mentioned, and it's up to the player to arrange them into like-colored rectangles of no less than 2x2 units; after setting the pieces in place, they are cleared only after a line which tracks from left to right in time with the music (called the "Timeline") that passes over them. Afterwards, points are awarded based on the number of these rectangles that are cleared in each pass of said line. While decidedly simple, the game does reward more complex strategies. In challenge mode, gamers will find it beneficial to set up larger combos by creating channels of adjacent, like-colored blocks; in time, special pieces will drop that will allow those colored blocks that are touching other same-colored blocks to be cleared.
The challenge mode is where the heart of the experience lies. You begin with a low level stage, which is easy for people still learning the game to tailor it to their preference, after achieveing a certain number of points and clearing a certain number of squares. (Which then unlocks certain features described below)
The theme and stage will change, as well as the difficulty. The more you progress in Lumines, the faster the blocks will move and the faster the Timeline will trek across the screen.
After completion of a stage in Challenge mode will unlock that theme to be played whenever you want in the "Single Skin" mode, which is set aside for all of the themes you unlock. Gives the game tremendous replay as the player has something to shoot for every time they load up challenge mode.
Versus mode, though, is a much faster paced mode of play and require different strategies. Two players (or a single one facing a computer-controlled opponent) are placed onto a single game board divided by a line. Each player must work to achieve as many clears as possible per pass of the Timeline. Afterwards, the division line shifts, causing the player who had the smaller of the two combos to have less space to work with.
In these modes the game is quite a bit more hectic than in standard play; which could last around an hour, whereas in single-player mode games can end in mere minutes when played competitively. When played versus a computer-controlled opponent, some may find the experience too difficult, in fact.
The game's puzzle mode also requires different tactics and a new plan of attack. Prior to each stage, the player will be given a specific shape to attempt to create out of blocks. This could be as simple as a 3x3 cross or as complex as a pixilated animal. It gets difficult rather quickly and should keep even the most fanatical puzzle gamers engaged for weeks. The necessity to change strategies based on which game mode has been selected is refreshing, to say the least.
Continued play will lead to increased skill which in turn unlocks new "Skins" (the colorful and themed backgroud that the game plays on) and new avatars which can be used to decorate player's game profiles.
Lumines is very easy to get hooked into and can make a long bus ride whizz pass in a blur of bright colors and engaging gameplay.
If you own a PSP, you owe it to yourself to give this game a try!