Lumines II
A puzzle sequel with new modes and music videos.
Lumines II, a 2006 puzzle game for the PSP from Q Entertainment, follows up Lumines: Puzzle Fusion. Players rotate 2x2 blocks to form same-colored squares, which are erased by a Time Line for points. It adds Mission, Skin Edit, and Sequencer modes. Released by Buena Vista Games in North America and PAL regions, and by Bandai Namco in Japan.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Q Entertainment; Bandai
- Publisher
- NA/PAL
- Buena Vista Games
- JP
- Namco Bandai Games
- Producer
- Tetsuya Mizuguchi
- Designer
- Katsumi Yokota
- Composer
- Katsumi Yokota; Takayuki Nakamura
- Series
- Lumines
- Platforms
- PlayStation Portable
- Released
- November 7, 2006 (NA)
- November 17, 2006 (EU)
- November 23, 2006 (AU)
- February 15, 2007 (JP)
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Lumines II retains the core gameplay of its predecessor: players move, rotate, and drop blocks to form 2×2 squares or larger of the same color, which are erased by a vertical line called the Time Line that sweeps left to right, awarding points. Erasing four or more squares adds a bonus multiplier. The game ends when blocks reach the top of the board. All previous modes return: Challenge mode, Time Attack, Puzzle, VS CPU, and 2P VS mode (renamed Duel mode). Challenge mode is expanded into four classes: B for beginners, A for intermediate, S for advanced, and Enduro, which uses all skins and unlocks after completing at least one lap of the first three classes. Time Attack now lets players record and save playthroughs for viewing in the Replay Theater. Three new modes are introduced: Mission mode, where players complete tasks such as erasing blocks within a time limit; Skin Edit mode, which allows custom playlists from unlocked skins in Single Lap (up to ten skins) or Endless Lap (unlimited skins); and Sequencer, which lets players create original background music and sound effects from four base music types, saving up to 20 sequences per base. Up to four Sequencer-created skins can be ported into Skin Edit mode. The game also offers customizable HUD options and a tutorial with tips and strategies.
Development
Lumines II was developed for the PSP by Q Entertainment, with Tetsuya Mizuguchi as producer and Katsumi Yokota involved in design and soundtrack alongside Takayuki Nakamura. Mizuguchi was influenced by music videos and wanted to incorporate them into the game, requiring the team to find music and videos with the right tone, mix, and energy. When he could not find a music video involving cheering crowds, he produced his own resembling hand-drawn animation. Unlike the development of the original Lumines, where audio was completed before skin design, Yokota prioritized skin designs first to provide concrete suggestions for audio, allowing greater variation in music tracks. Initially 100 songs were planned. Mizuguchi emphasized pushing the UMD to its limits and wanted the game to have its own original atmosphere and stylistic experience, comparing it to a party with himself as organizer.
Promotion and release
Q Entertainment put out a demo called Lumines II: Taster version for Windows PCs on November 22, 2006, which could be downloaded from the game's North American website. In Japan, a PSP demo became available for download from the official Japanese site on April 27, 2007. The full game hit stores in North America on November 7, 2006, followed by Europe on November 17, 2006, and Australia on November 23, 2006. Japan got its version later, on February 15, 2007, which swapped out tracks from New Order, Missy Elliott, and Beck for new ones by Ken Ishii, Genki Rockets, and Def Tech. To celebrate the Japanese launch, a party was held at the Daikanyama Air club, where musician Suigirumn—whose music appeared in that version—spun records as the DJ. The first 50 people who showed up with a copy of the game got in free, and the first 30 also received a free T-shirt. On the same day, a deluxe edition went on sale in Japan, available for preorder through Sega Direct; it came with decorative stickers and a CD soundtrack called "Techriders / Exclusive Tracks for Lumines II." Sega also ran a raffle from February 15 to 21, 2007, giving three winners the deluxe version, a T-shirt, and a poster signed by Tetsuya Mizuguchi. Q Entertainment teamed up with the online game Angel Love Online, letting players use Lumines II avatars as their profile pictures. The single "Heavenly Star" by Genki Rockets dropped on the iTunes store on December 15, 2006. Another soundtrack, "L.II remixes," was released on December 31, 2007, by series composer Takayuki Nakamura through his sound design company Brainstorm; it included tracks from both Lumines II and the original Lumines: Puzzle Fusion, with Nakamura weaving in sound effects like crashing waves and ticking clocks.
Reception
The game received "favorable" reviews according to Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 31 out of 40. Reviewers commonly praised the new features: Pocket Gamer called the Sequencer "brilliant", IGN said the game expanded on every facet of its predecessor, and GameDaily noted it improved on the original while staying true to the franchise. GamePro found Mission mode enjoyable and challenging for both newcomers and veterans. GameSpot gave a favorable review but had minor criticisms that the new modes did not feel fresh. The use of music videos in skins was criticized because they were hard to enjoy during gameplay. PALGN appreciated the Skin Edit mode and Sequencer for customization. The song selection received mixed reactions: Pocket Gamer noted enjoyment depended on song selection but said the gameplay could still entrance players. Eurogamer was critical of the western songs, calling the original game better. PALGN was disappointed in the song selection for a western audience but felt it did not ruin the game. GameSpot noted that fans might be put off by newer artists but called the soundtrack robust and appealing to a larger audience. Game Informer said the soundtrack was not a "Top 40 Countdown" and used underground music alongside returning songs. GameDaily stated that songs from established artists were old and lacked impact but worked well with the game's feel. GameZone criticized the game as "limited imitations packaged as new editions," while Edge gave it six out of ten, saying the original may hold more value.
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