Lumines Arise review

Lumines Arise marks the long-awaited return of the hypnotic puzzle action title. While developmental duties have shifted from Q Entertainment to Enhance, original creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi remains at the helm, and it’s evident from the first beat-drop that Arise intends to serve as the definitive entry in the series.

As the team behind Rez Infinite and Tetris Effect, Enhance builds upon the franchise’s synergetic blend of hi-energy music and pulsating visuals, coaxing players into mesmeric play sessions where an hour can seem like minutes. Yes, Arise should probably come with a warning label for commuters. I nearly missed my stop twice because I was immersed in the block-stacking bliss.

Indulging the Senses  

Pleasingly, Lumines Arise provides plenty of visual flashiness. Each stage features ever-shifting skins, with blocks that not only change color but transform in shape and contain striking designs. One moment, neon blocks recall the spectacle of nightlife in Kabukicho. Minutes later, the playfield transforms into a Go adorned with metallic nuts. Most interesting is that the high-tech visuals aren’t dressing. Each stage’s visual design is dazzling and dreamlike, often punctuated by camera zooms and palette shifts.

Much like the Lumines of old, each stage change brings a bit of disorientation. As environments and block styles change, they not only alter the look and feel of the playfield but also require you to adjust to your strategic approach, as you adapt to the new colors, rhythms, and block patterns. Just like the original PSP game, the changes prohibit Lumines from feeling like a rigid puzzler. Instead, it means stages rise to a sensory crescendo before crossing over to the next track, mirroring the grooves of a mix-tape.

Undertaking the Journey

Like previous installments, gameplay revolves around matching 2×2 squares and planning combos. But Arise finds distinction with the Burst mechanic, allowing players to temporarily freeze the playfield to attempt epic, board-clearing sequences. A spiritual sibling to Tetris Effect’s Zone, Bursts adds a bit of strategic depth. If used properly, the machinic can turn an imminent disaster into a triumphant comeback, reinvigorating both the single player and competitive modes with tide-turning tension.

Journey mode is where Lumines Arise truly shines. Similar to Enhance’s previous works, it offers a curated sequence of stages that evolve as you progress. The mode strikes a taut balance between challenge and recreation, coaxing players into a state of flow as music and visuals harmonize. Each stage feels like a stop on a lightly psychedelic trip, with new skins arriving before tedium can take hold.

Steam vs. PlayStation 5 Block-offs

Pleasingly, Arise’s multiplayer suite builds on the foundations established by previous entries. Players can face off locally or online, with cross-platform play potentially producing a loyal community. Best of all, matches are fast-paced, chaotic, and lag-free when played online. Here, precision and quick thinking are essential since each player’s board affects their opponent’s tempo and block drops. If you’re looking for long-term coemption, there’s a ranked mode while playlists let newcomers test their rhythm and reflexes without pressure.

Expectedly, the soundtrack is fundamental to the experience, though it doesn’t quite reach the transcendent heights of Mizuguchi’s earlier collaborations with artists like Mondo Grosso, Bebel Gilberto, or Underworld. Still, it’s a potent collection that drives the game’s pace with plenty of melody. Here, Hydelic’s soundtrack delivers electronic beats, layered vocals, and ambient textures that plunge you into each stage’s rhythm. I can’t imagine playing the game without a pair of bass-welcoming headphones.

Losing Yourself in the Grooves and Geometrics

More reaffirmation that revival, Lumines Arise demonstrates Enhance and Mizuguchi sharpening the franchise’s identity. While I thought the inclusion of the time-freezing Bursts might be a distraction, the mechanic amps up the energy and can provide a stimulating second chance. Best of all, Arise does what few puzzle games truly do, by blurring play and art. Even if its soundtrack doesn’t soar as high as its predecessors, its rhythm still runs deep enough to hold you captive, one shifting square at a time.

Lumines Arise was played on PC with review code provided by the publisher.