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This thread has been linked to the game 'Luminator DS'.
Q Entertainment’s Lumines is one of the most addictive puzzlers to emerge in years, and one of the stand out titles for the PSP. It is also a game that Nintendo fans have had to do without. Yet not anymore, for up steps VIS with Luminator DS, a carbon copy of Tetsuya Mizuguchi superb original.
VISUALS:
Being a block-based puzzle game, Luminator was never going to push the boundaries of DS; however, a little more effort would not have gone amiss. The moving backdrops range from the mundane to the psychedelic, whereas the blocks are often garish or hard to tell apart (here's looking at you, Level 2). It’s not all bad, though; the in game explosions are cool enough, and the pulsating menus look smart. Yet this isn’t the prettiest looking DS title and a far cry from Lumines’ crisp beauty.
AUDIO:
The sound of Luminator DS is integral to the gaming experience. The pace of the music dictates the pace of your game, and you soon learn to adapt accordingly. There may only be 15 tracks, but the techno/trance music is a nice change from the pop you get in Lumines -- and you’ll crank up the volume when the remix of Cyndi Lauper’s Time after Time kicks in. Yet perhaps VIS’ biggest achievement with the sound is in the quality. The music that comes tumbling through the tiny DS speakers is better than most top end DS releases, and it makes you wonder why no one else can get it to sound this good. Despite lacking in variety, Luminator DS is perhaps one of the best sounding DS titles you can buy.
GAMEPLAY:
Luminator DS (and Lumines before it) is a block-based puzzle game in the vein of Tetris. The task of the gamer is to rotate a 2x2 square (made up of four squares of one of two colors) to create a 2x2 shape of the same color. This shape can be made bigger (such as into a 2x3 shape), but the player only has a set time before the Timeline sweeps across the screen and removes any solid color block that's 2x2 or larger. Once 50 blocks are removed you then move onto the next level, complete with a new backdrop/music track and colored blocks.
Beyond this there are some extra elements for the more seasoned gamers to enjoy. The special 1x1 diamond square (that will match one of the two colors) will occasionally join the fray. These diamond squares will remove any square (of matching color) that is connected to it in a vertical or horizontal manner. This is an ideal way to rack up huge points (or get yourself out of trouble), adding further depth to the experience. After a few plays you’ll also notice that the Timeline bar will move in time to the soundtrack, asking you to change strategy for each level.
This may all sound a little dull and complicated, but Luminator DS is as simple and engaging as the iconic Tetris and equally as addictive. Gamers are given the opportunity to play for an infinite amount of time or to restrict themselves to a time limit for those quick plays. Each mode comes complete with its own difficulty setting and scoreboard. There is also a puzzle mode to be played, which requires you to create shapes, numbers or letters using the blocks. This can be both fiendishly difficult and immensely satisfying and is an enjoyable break from the traditional gameplay.
Nevertheless, and in spite of all this praise, Luminator DS is nothing more than a like for like copy of Lumines. Everything from the basic mechanics to the puzzle mode is ripped straight from the game and nothing new has been added. The top screen is used to display the overall score and the next block that will fall, but there is no use for the microphone or touch screen (the opportunity to create your own puzzle is sorely missed), and there is no sign of a multiplayer mode either. It may be a budget title, but Luminator DS is severely lacking in the imagination that made Lumines such a classic.
CONCLUSION:
On the one hand Luminator DS is an unoriginal plagiarism of Q Entertainment’s smash hit PSP original. It can also be an ugly game that lacks variety in backdrops, music and multiplayer options. However, it is still a frighteningly addictive puzzler, as well as a means for DS gamers to play one of PSP’s few shining moments. It may not be perfect, but for its budget price it is well worth considering for those long car journeys.
Dringo
VISUALS:
Being a block-based puzzle game, Luminator was never going to push the boundaries of DS; however, a little more effort would not have gone amiss. The moving backdrops range from the mundane to the psychedelic, whereas the blocks are often garish or hard to tell apart (here's looking at you, Level 2). It’s not all bad, though; the in game explosions are cool enough, and the pulsating menus look smart. Yet this isn’t the prettiest looking DS title and a far cry from Lumines’ crisp beauty.
AUDIO:
The sound of Luminator DS is integral to the gaming experience. The pace of the music dictates the pace of your game, and you soon learn to adapt accordingly. There may only be 15 tracks, but the techno/trance music is a nice change from the pop you get in Lumines -- and you’ll crank up the volume when the remix of Cyndi Lauper’s Time after Time kicks in. Yet perhaps VIS’ biggest achievement with the sound is in the quality. The music that comes tumbling through the tiny DS speakers is better than most top end DS releases, and it makes you wonder why no one else can get it to sound this good. Despite lacking in variety, Luminator DS is perhaps one of the best sounding DS titles you can buy.
GAMEPLAY:
Luminator DS (and Lumines before it) is a block-based puzzle game in the vein of Tetris. The task of the gamer is to rotate a 2x2 square (made up of four squares of one of two colors) to create a 2x2 shape of the same color. This shape can be made bigger (such as into a 2x3 shape), but the player only has a set time before the Timeline sweeps across the screen and removes any solid color block that's 2x2 or larger. Once 50 blocks are removed you then move onto the next level, complete with a new backdrop/music track and colored blocks.
Beyond this there are some extra elements for the more seasoned gamers to enjoy. The special 1x1 diamond square (that will match one of the two colors) will occasionally join the fray. These diamond squares will remove any square (of matching color) that is connected to it in a vertical or horizontal manner. This is an ideal way to rack up huge points (or get yourself out of trouble), adding further depth to the experience. After a few plays you’ll also notice that the Timeline bar will move in time to the soundtrack, asking you to change strategy for each level.
This may all sound a little dull and complicated, but Luminator DS is as simple and engaging as the iconic Tetris and equally as addictive. Gamers are given the opportunity to play for an infinite amount of time or to restrict themselves to a time limit for those quick plays. Each mode comes complete with its own difficulty setting and scoreboard. There is also a puzzle mode to be played, which requires you to create shapes, numbers or letters using the blocks. This can be both fiendishly difficult and immensely satisfying and is an enjoyable break from the traditional gameplay.
Nevertheless, and in spite of all this praise, Luminator DS is nothing more than a like for like copy of Lumines. Everything from the basic mechanics to the puzzle mode is ripped straight from the game and nothing new has been added. The top screen is used to display the overall score and the next block that will fall, but there is no use for the microphone or touch screen (the opportunity to create your own puzzle is sorely missed), and there is no sign of a multiplayer mode either. It may be a budget title, but Luminator DS is severely lacking in the imagination that made Lumines such a classic.
CONCLUSION:
On the one hand Luminator DS is an unoriginal plagiarism of Q Entertainment’s smash hit PSP original. It can also be an ugly game that lacks variety in backdrops, music and multiplayer options. However, it is still a frighteningly addictive puzzler, as well as a means for DS gamers to play one of PSP’s few shining moments. It may not be perfect, but for its budget price it is well worth considering for those long car journeys.
Dringo
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Q Entertainment’s Lumines is one of the most addictive puzzlers to emerge in years, and one of the stand out titles for the PSP. It is also a game that Nintendo fans have had to do without. Yet not anymore, for up steps VIS with Luminator DS, a carbon copy of Tetsuya Mizuguchi superb original.
VISUALS:
Being a block-based puzzle game, Luminator was never going to push the boundaries of DS; however, a little more effort would not have gone amiss. The moving backdrops range from the mundane to the psychedelic, whereas the blocks are often garish or hard to tell apart (here's looking at you, Level 2). It’s not all bad, though; the in game explosions are cool enough, and the pulsating menus look smart. Yet this isn’t the prettiest looking DS title and a far cry from Lumines’ crisp beauty.
AUDIO:
The sound of Luminator DS is integral to the gaming experience. The pace of the music dictates the pace of your game, and you soon learn to adapt accordingly. There may only be 15 tracks, but the techno/trance music is a nice change from the pop you get in Lumines -- and you’ll crank up the volume when the remix of Cyndi Lauper’s Time after Time kicks in. Yet perhaps VIS’ biggest achievement with the sound is in the quality. The music that comes tumbling through the tiny DS speakers is better than most top end DS releases, and it makes you wonder why no one else can get it to sound this good. Despite lacking in variety, Luminator DS is perhaps one of the best sounding DS titles you can buy.
GAMEPLAY:
Luminator DS (and Lumines before it) is a block-based puzzle game in the vein of Tetris. The task of the gamer is to rotate a 2x2 square (made up of four squares of one of two colors) to create a 2x2 shape of the same color. This shape can be made bigger (such as into a 2x3 shape), but the player only has a set time before the Timeline sweeps across the screen and removes any solid color block that's 2x2 or larger. Once 50 blocks are removed you then move onto the next level, complete with a new backdrop/music track and colored blocks.
Beyond this there are some extra elements for the more seasoned gamers to enjoy. The special 1x1 diamond square (that will match one of the two colors) will occasionally join the fray. These diamond squares will remove any square (of matching color) that is connected to it in a vertical or horizontal manner. This is an ideal way to rack up huge points (or get yourself out of trouble), adding further depth to the experience. After a few plays you’ll also notice that the Timeline bar will move in time to the soundtrack, asking you to change strategy for each level.
This may all sound a little dull and complicated, but Luminator DS is as simple and engaging as the iconic Tetris and equally as addictive. Gamers are given the opportunity to play for an infinite amount of time or to restrict themselves to a time limit for those quick plays. Each mode comes complete with its own difficulty setting and scoreboard. There is also a puzzle mode to be played, which requires you to create shapes, numbers or letters using the blocks. This can be both fiendishly difficult and immensely satisfying and is an enjoyable break from the traditional gameplay.
Nevertheless, and in spite of all this praise, Luminator DS is nothing more than a like for like copy of Lumines. Everything from the basic mechanics to the puzzle mode is ripped straight from the game and nothing new has been added. The top screen is used to display the overall score and the next block that will fall, but there is no use for the microphone or touch screen (the opportunity to create your own puzzle is sorely missed), and there is no sign of a multiplayer mode either. It may be a budget title, but Luminator DS is severely lacking in the imagination that made Lumines such a classic.
CONCLUSION:
On the one hand Luminator DS is an unoriginal plagiarism of Q Entertainment’s smash hit PSP original. It can also be an ugly game that lacks variety in backdrops, music and multiplayer options. However, it is still a frighteningly addictive puzzler, as well as a means for DS gamers to play one of PSP’s few shining moments. It may not be perfect, but for its budget price it is well worth considering for those long car journeys.
Dringo
VISUALS:
Being a block-based puzzle game, Luminator was never going to push the boundaries of DS; however, a little more effort would not have gone amiss. The moving backdrops range from the mundane to the psychedelic, whereas the blocks are often garish or hard to tell apart (here's looking at you, Level 2). It’s not all bad, though; the in game explosions are cool enough, and the pulsating menus look smart. Yet this isn’t the prettiest looking DS title and a far cry from Lumines’ crisp beauty.
AUDIO:
The sound of Luminator DS is integral to the gaming experience. The pace of the music dictates the pace of your game, and you soon learn to adapt accordingly. There may only be 15 tracks, but the techno/trance music is a nice change from the pop you get in Lumines -- and you’ll crank up the volume when the remix of Cyndi Lauper’s Time after Time kicks in. Yet perhaps VIS’ biggest achievement with the sound is in the quality. The music that comes tumbling through the tiny DS speakers is better than most top end DS releases, and it makes you wonder why no one else can get it to sound this good. Despite lacking in variety, Luminator DS is perhaps one of the best sounding DS titles you can buy.
GAMEPLAY:
Luminator DS (and Lumines before it) is a block-based puzzle game in the vein of Tetris. The task of the gamer is to rotate a 2x2 square (made up of four squares of one of two colors) to create a 2x2 shape of the same color. This shape can be made bigger (such as into a 2x3 shape), but the player only has a set time before the Timeline sweeps across the screen and removes any solid color block that's 2x2 or larger. Once 50 blocks are removed you then move onto the next level, complete with a new backdrop/music track and colored blocks.
Beyond this there are some extra elements for the more seasoned gamers to enjoy. The special 1x1 diamond square (that will match one of the two colors) will occasionally join the fray. These diamond squares will remove any square (of matching color) that is connected to it in a vertical or horizontal manner. This is an ideal way to rack up huge points (or get yourself out of trouble), adding further depth to the experience. After a few plays you’ll also notice that the Timeline bar will move in time to the soundtrack, asking you to change strategy for each level.
This may all sound a little dull and complicated, but Luminator DS is as simple and engaging as the iconic Tetris and equally as addictive. Gamers are given the opportunity to play for an infinite amount of time or to restrict themselves to a time limit for those quick plays. Each mode comes complete with its own difficulty setting and scoreboard. There is also a puzzle mode to be played, which requires you to create shapes, numbers or letters using the blocks. This can be both fiendishly difficult and immensely satisfying and is an enjoyable break from the traditional gameplay.
Nevertheless, and in spite of all this praise, Luminator DS is nothing more than a like for like copy of Lumines. Everything from the basic mechanics to the puzzle mode is ripped straight from the game and nothing new has been added. The top screen is used to display the overall score and the next block that will fall, but there is no use for the microphone or touch screen (the opportunity to create your own puzzle is sorely missed), and there is no sign of a multiplayer mode either. It may be a budget title, but Luminator DS is severely lacking in the imagination that made Lumines such a classic.
CONCLUSION:
On the one hand Luminator DS is an unoriginal plagiarism of Q Entertainment’s smash hit PSP original. It can also be an ugly game that lacks variety in backdrops, music and multiplayer options. However, it is still a frighteningly addictive puzzler, as well as a means for DS gamers to play one of PSP’s few shining moments. It may not be perfect, but for its budget price it is well worth considering for those long car journeys.
Dringo