Lumines Supernova Review for PlayStation 3 (PS3)

System: PS3 (PSN)	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Q Entertainment	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Q Entertainment	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Dec. 23, 2008	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1-2	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Everyone	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

Puzzle Mode challenges you to create particular shapes with the falling blocks. Dig Down is not a mini-game in the traditional sense. What I mean is that's it's essentially a scaled-back standalone game, or at least a different twist on the Lumines formula. In Dig Down, you'll be given a game field that's already full and will have a set amount of time to rotate the existing blocks and clear the field into two columns. It's a really addictive feature and is a great change of pace from the traditional Lumines mechanic.

Lumines Supernova screenshot

Supernova even offers a skin editor, which allows you to create and change your own skins and create music to go along with them. The skins and the tunes are intertwined - each stage lasts only as long as the background tune. The music creator is intuitive and allows for an infinite variety of tunes to be made and applied to skins. It's a fun system, but unfortunately there's no way to share your levels with other players.

This brings up one of Supernova's two biggest problems: the lack of any online component. Naturally, it's disappointing not to have some sort of level sharer, but the lack of online competitive play is a bigger problem. There is a single local multiplayer mode with Lumines Supernova, but online would have been really great. This isn't an issue that ruins the game, but the dearth of more significant multiplayer options, particularly online, is very conspicuous.

The other problem with Supernova, and the one that's a bigger problem than lack of multiplayer, is that much of this review applies to every Lumines game that's been released. The series has only been around for a few years and already it's getting lots of releases. How does this affect Supernova? Well, it doesn't offer a whole lot of new content. Of course, the skins, music, and some modes (such as Dig Down) are unique to Supernova, but the core gameplay mechanic and even some particular puzzles out of Puzzle Mode have been featured in past games. For most people, this won't be that big of a problem. But if you've played several past Lumines games, you might want to think about it before immediately downloading this one.

That said, at only fifteen bucks, Lumines is a great deal even for people who have already played past games in the series. It's one of the best downloadable values on the PlayStation Network - this game is packed with content and you can easily spend dozens of hours exploring all that it has to offer. The HD graphics look beautiful, the gameplay mechanic is addictive, and playing against a friend, even though it has to be in a local match, is a ton of fun. If you're into puzzle games, you have to check out Lumines Supernova.

By Joseph Catalanotto
CCC Freelance Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.2

Graphics
There's not a lot of graphical demand in a puzzle game. That said, the game looks beautiful. Skins look even better in high definition.

4.3

Control
The gameplay mechanic is simple enough that very basic controls get the job done quite well.

4.5

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sound itself is catchy and well-done, and the way the music is blended with the gameplay is seamless and beautiful.

4.4

Play Value
There's plenty of recycled content, but there's still lots of new content. The fifteen dollar price tag makes Supernova a steal.

4.3

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Skins, skins, and more new skins: Enjoy unlimited gameplay and unlock up to 40 stylish skins in Challenge Mode, including brand new skins.

Customize your Lumines experience by creating your own playlist with your favorite skins.

Puzzle / Mission Mode: Act quickly with the falling blocks to create shapes/designs and clear the playing field in just a few moves (100 puzzles and 50 missions).

Addictive, innovative puzzle mechanic promises countless hours of exciting gameplay.