When Peter Moore announced Lumines Live! back at E3, nearly every one thought it was Microsoft’s first major strike against Sony. However, now that the game has actually been released, it kind of makes you want to go buy a PSP instead.
Like the original, Challenge mode is the core of the game. This time it’s been divided into two different types, Base and Advance. Base mode works the same as the original Challenge mode where you arrange falling blocks into squares in order to clear the screen, and if your blocks stack up to the top of the level, you lose.
Currently Advance mode is a mystery. It’s listed in the menu, but when you choose it, the game pops up a message that informs you that if you wish to continue, you’ll need to purchase the Advance Pack, which is currently not available on Live.
Next up we have Vs. and Vs. CPU, the multiplayer modes. This time the playfield is divided in half with each player getting a side. When someone scores it shrinks the opposing player’s field, making it harder for him to avoid stacking up to the top. Normally Vs. CPU consists of a 10 man tournament, but only the first opponent is free, if you want more you’ll have to buy the, as of yet unreleased, Vs. CPU pack.
There’s also Puzzle and Mission modes where you’ll need to complete certain objectives, such a making a dog shape or clearing the screen in two moves, in order to finish each level. In the original game, you had a reasonable selection, but Lumines Live! features only five levels of each… unless you want to buy the Puzzle/Mission pack of course.
Many of the skins from the original game have successfully made the transition from PSP to Xbox Live Arcade and look rich and crisp in 720p. Colours are bright and vibrant and the new background videos look pretty slick.
Article comments
1 - Ken Edwards
This borders on deception, and false advertising. It really is irritating, as you say.
2 - Jason "Njiska" Westhaver
Actually if you start with the trial apparently it's not as deceptive because you are asked to buy the base pack for challenge mode ( or so i've been told). It's still a fucking rip off though and the labeling on live is appauling. Lumies Live - FULL VERSION. BULL SHIT!
3 - Scott Wolf
I was playing the DEMO of the game VS CPU mode for about an hour before I decided to buy the game so i could continue past 1 lvl of VS CPU mode, WTF is this CRAP it says I bought the FULL VERSION OF THE GAME, and there is still only 1 lvl of VERSUS CPU. This is false advertising there was no warning that I wasn't getting the FULL VERSION OF THE GAME, it says "FULL VERSION OF THE GAME"
4 - Ken Edwards
You just bought really expensive shareware Scott, as we all did. Don't be surprised if this game costs $30 or more in is "FULL VERSION" mode.
5 - Jason "Njiska" Westhaver