After many delays the best game on the PSP finally makes it all the way to our high definition console. But were the wait and the cost worth it? Yes and No.
If you owned a PSP and enjoy puzzle games you probably were addicted to Lumines, a fun and fast puzzle game which is part Tetris and part crack. If you didn’t play it on the PSP then you are in for a treat, but if the PSP game is old news for you then some of the 360 version quirks might start to annoy. Two of the most annoying things with the game are the controls, which feel loose with the controller and take time to get used to. The second annoyance is you must buy the advanced pack and other packs to complete the game. At 1200 points, the game is already expensive enough.
Buying the extra packs also might not bother PSP fans of the game, since the it was $60 CDN for the PSP. Even if the final cost is 2400 pts for the Xbox Live version, it is still a great addictive game with more features then the same PSP game and high definition graphics. There are gamers out there that may choose not to buy the game because of the cost, but the price is still cheap at $30 USD for a long term puzzle game.
As I mentioned above, the game controls are loose. So loose that initially I was initially turned off by it, but after tweaking the controls and changing the way I play it was second nature and fairly easy to build those blocks. It should be interesting to see how this game will play with the Arcade Stick by Madcatz, a purchase that is almost needed for many of the current and future Xbox Live Arcade Games.
Graphically the game looks great. From the well designed menu system, back ground skins, and videos, it is both sharp and beautiful which should be used as a guide for other games coming to the Xbox Live Arcade. The different skins designs are also well designed, at least so far, although the other skins pack I expect to be just as beautiful, especially since we are paying more for them.
Sound and Music are both excellent and perhaps the best part of the game play. Simple, effective, and subtle enough as to not distract the gamer, it is an awesome audio experience. Great sound mixed with the techno music (which is not annoying in this game thankfully) give off an almost classical feel and help make the audio some of the best heard in a puzzle game.
Game types are varied with puzzle, timed, multiplayer, mission, challenge, and versus CPU modes. To top it off you can play multiplayer over live or local which is yet another well done feature. Each game play type adds to the fun and addictiveness of the title.
Achievement Points are some of the hardest to get in any of the arcade titles released so far. Either that or I really suck at Lumines. With only 12 separate achievement points to get with some of the hardest features, if someone gets all 200 points that is a real achievement.
Overall the game has been fun for the six or so hours I have played, and with the multiplayer, single player, future game packs, and the major replay value of the puzzle genre, this game will be on my hard drive for a long time to come. The controls are a big hit against the title, as well as the cost and future costs for the extra content, but I generally think that is worth it for fans of the title. It may be a deal breaker for some, but the game defiantly worth playing if you can afford it.
Graphics – 9/10 – Amazing for a XBLA game
Sound – 10/10 – Best sound design to date for a XBLA game. Dolby Digital at its finest
Control – 5/10 – To loose which does not play perfect with the controller. You can get used to it, but it should be natural for a solid title.
Game Play – 8/10 – Tons of features, some you have to pay extra for, costs this title 2 points
Over All – 9/10 – Like puzzle games? Spend 1200 points, most addictive game on the marketplace now and with multiplayer you and your wife/husband can play together
Developer – Q Entertainment
Publisher – Q Entertainment
Cost – 1200 Marketplace Points ($15.00 USD)
Multiplayer – Yes, System Link and Xbox Live
If you owned a PSP and enjoy puzzle games you probably were addicted to Lumines, a fun and fast puzzle game which is part Tetris and part crack. If you didn’t play it on the PSP then you are in for a treat, but if the PSP game is old news for you then some of the 360 version quirks might start to annoy. Two of the most annoying things with the game are the controls, which feel loose with the controller and take time to get used to. The second annoyance is you must buy the advanced pack and other packs to complete the game. At 1200 points, the game is already expensive enough.
Buying the extra packs also might not bother PSP fans of the game, since the it was $60 CDN for the PSP. Even if the final cost is 2400 pts for the Xbox Live version, it is still a great addictive game with more features then the same PSP game and high definition graphics. There are gamers out there that may choose not to buy the game because of the cost, but the price is still cheap at $30 USD for a long term puzzle game.
As I mentioned above, the game controls are loose. So loose that initially I was initially turned off by it, but after tweaking the controls and changing the way I play it was second nature and fairly easy to build those blocks. It should be interesting to see how this game will play with the Arcade Stick by Madcatz, a purchase that is almost needed for many of the current and future Xbox Live Arcade Games.
Graphically the game looks great. From the well designed menu system, back ground skins, and videos, it is both sharp and beautiful which should be used as a guide for other games coming to the Xbox Live Arcade. The different skins designs are also well designed, at least so far, although the other skins pack I expect to be just as beautiful, especially since we are paying more for them.
Sound and Music are both excellent and perhaps the best part of the game play. Simple, effective, and subtle enough as to not distract the gamer, it is an awesome audio experience. Great sound mixed with the techno music (which is not annoying in this game thankfully) give off an almost classical feel and help make the audio some of the best heard in a puzzle game.
Game types are varied with puzzle, timed, multiplayer, mission, challenge, and versus CPU modes. To top it off you can play multiplayer over live or local which is yet another well done feature. Each game play type adds to the fun and addictiveness of the title.
Achievement Points are some of the hardest to get in any of the arcade titles released so far. Either that or I really suck at Lumines. With only 12 separate achievement points to get with some of the hardest features, if someone gets all 200 points that is a real achievement.
Overall the game has been fun for the six or so hours I have played, and with the multiplayer, single player, future game packs, and the major replay value of the puzzle genre, this game will be on my hard drive for a long time to come. The controls are a big hit against the title, as well as the cost and future costs for the extra content, but I generally think that is worth it for fans of the title. It may be a deal breaker for some, but the game defiantly worth playing if you can afford it.
Graphics – 9/10 – Amazing for a XBLA game
Sound – 10/10 – Best sound design to date for a XBLA game. Dolby Digital at its finest
Control – 5/10 – To loose which does not play perfect with the controller. You can get used to it, but it should be natural for a solid title.
Game Play – 8/10 – Tons of features, some you have to pay extra for, costs this title 2 points
Over All – 9/10 – Like puzzle games? Spend 1200 points, most addictive game on the marketplace now and with multiplayer you and your wife/husband can play together
Developer – Q Entertainment
Publisher – Q Entertainment
Cost – 1200 Marketplace Points ($15.00 USD)
Multiplayer – Yes, System Link and Xbox Live
