One standout puzzle game from the past ten years is “Tetris Effect,” developed by Japanese studio Enhance. They took the fundamental mechanics of classic Tetris, a universally recognized and intuitive game, and transformed it into an immersive audiovisual journey with captivating music by Hydelic and mesmerizing level themes. It’s impressive whether you play it on a regular TV or in VR. I often questioned if such an experience was exclusive to Tetris. However, my doubts were put to rest when I played “Lumines Arise” at the Summer Game Fest Play Days, demonstrating that this kind of immersive gaming isn’t limited to Tetris alone.
Back in 2004, I stumbled upon a game called Lumines on PSP that took my gaming world by storm. It’s like Tetris, but instead of clearing lines, you match parts of multi-colored squares to form larger 4×4 or bigger blocks. Every few seconds, the screen is swept by something known as the “Timeline,” clearing away any blocks created. Seems easy enough, right? But with a bit of know-how on placement and some advanced techniques like cascading, you can create gigantic blocks or score-boosting combos that will leave your opponents in awe. If you’re a fan of Lumines like I am, get ready to experience it like never before with the Tetris Effect treatment in Arise!
With Lumines Arise, Enhance Entertainment revamps the audiovisual experience yet again, centering around a robust puzzle game structure that’s been given a fresh twist. The novel mechanic introduced is called Burst. As players progress, they accumulate Burst which can be triggered. Once activated, it generates a large block of a specific color for the player to manipulate. During this period, players have time to expand the blocks. When the Burst ends, all these blocks are cleared, leaving the playing field in a more favorable state for connecting and creating combos, making gameplay smoother.
During the Summer Game Fest Play Days demo, I witnessed a new feature unfold across three distinct stages. The initial stage showcased vibrant blocks against which a figure was walking in the backdrop. The second stage showcased machinery connected by spider-like webs. In the third stage, chameleons adorned both sides of the scene, dancing to the music or any large combos I created. Notably, the chameleon stage reminded me of the most impressive levels in Tetris Effect, which leads me to believe that Lumines Arise’s thirty unique stages will hide some truly remarkable features.
A representative from Enhance shared with me his opinion that Lumines is tougher to pick up than Tetris, but simpler to become proficient at. My experience playing Lumines Arise certainly supported this viewpoint; I found the first three levels particularly challenging. Not only did I need to refresh my understanding of Lumines, but I also had to adapt to a visually intense presentation. With a larger play area and focus on block-falling combinations, there’s definitely more complexity in a round of Lumines Arise compared to Tetris Effect.
Initially finding it tough to adapt, I eventually found my rhythm again in the gameplay of Lumines. Once settled, I could truly appreciate its stunning visuals. From that point onwards, Lumines Arise began to shine, not just figuratively but also literally. Although it may not have the immediate impact of Tetris Effect, I’m certain I’ll soon find myself engrossed in Lumines Arise for extended periods. Enhance, the developer behind Tetris Effect and Humanity, has proven themselves to be not just a top-tier puzzle game creator but also a master of audiovisual experiences. Their impressive track record suggests that this new game will continue their success story.
The game titled “Lumines Arise” is planned for launch on both PC and PlayStation 5, featuring VR compatibility, at some point in the remaining months of the year. Additionally, a demo version will be available this summer.
Read More
2025-06-10 00:16