I never grew up playing point and click adventures game so naturally I don't carry any nostalgia for them. I usually don't play too many of them because I personally find them quite difficult. Many times puzzles require you make specific associations between different items or require you to find hidden details in the picturesque backgrounds. Lumino City does a fabulous job separating itself from the crowd as an exemplary model of how a game in the genre should feel like. A gorgeous art style, a wonderful sense of adventure, and cleverly designed puzzles make this game wonderfully endearing experience
The first thing that will immediately grab you're attention is the art style. The game has a vibrant paper-craft look that just pops right out of the screen. The world looks so real you feel like you could just reach right through the screen and touch it. The is especially notice able during the little transitioning scenes during key parts of the story where you can see the world from different angles. The natural abstraction of the paper-craft fits perfectly with the idea of a city built on a giant waterwheel.
There is a wonderful sense of adventure as you explore Lumino City. On a journey to recuse your Granddad you'll have to traverse the city. Each puzzle in the game offers two of three locales to explore. The progression as you go from one area next fells very natural and offers a wonder sense of discovery. This city has some wild architecture and you'll meet so very interesting indiviuals along the way. You really never know what to expect and its always exciting to see whats around the next corner.
Well balanced puzzles is essential for this kind of game and Lumino City nails the balance superbly. Yes, the puzzles can get quite difficult and many of the will really make you think. However, patience is a virtue and the game gives you all the tools you'll need to figure out the solution. Since you're limited a certain amount of space and resources for each puzzle you'll never feel too overwhelmed. The variety is off the charts, every puzzle is unique and will have you thinking in a totally different way using a vast array of intellectual skills.
Playing this game is just incredibly rewarding. The puzzles are all challenging yet they are all reasonable. Every time you find the solution and progress to the next area its there is a wonderful sense of accomplishment. Not only that but you're just dying to see whats next in this beautifully handcrafted world. Not everybody will have the patience for these challenges but I highly recommend giving this game a shot.