Enhance has been making games for many years, but the team truly cemented its place on the gaming map with its unique blend of puzzle gameplay and stirring musical accompaniment. *Tetris Effect* remains a generation-defining reinvention of a classic franchise. Riding on that success, Enhance has now brought the same thoughtful treatment to *Lumines* with their latest release, *Lumines Arise*.
### Make the Beat Drop
*Lumines Arise* follows the series’ classic formula: creating 2×2 squares of the same pattern while keeping as much of the board clear as possible. Like the best puzzle games, the speed and intensity steadily increase as you progress.
In Journey Mode, players work through five different sections, each requiring a certain number of formed squares to advance. The early stages start off easy, but by the fourth or fifth section, the available space on the board shrinks dramatically, ramping up the challenge.
### A Feast for the Eyes and Ears
Beyond its winning puzzle formula, *Lumines Arise* mirrors *Tetris Effect* by wrapping the gameplay in a breathtaking, immersive visual package. The backgrounds come alive with vivid scenes — from remote beaches and snowy cabins to tropical rainforests with head-bopping chameleons and bustling neon-lit metropolises. Each stage pulses and shifts continuously in time with the music, making it easy to lose yourself in the rhythm.
Even on Easy difficulty, Journey Mode can be tough—especially if you’re new to the *Lumines* formula and think that forming squares is simple. The game demands focus and timing as the visual and gameplay intensity build.
### Visual Effects: Sometimes Too Much of a Good Thing
While most stages offer a mesmerizing experience, a few—like Mirror Ball or Digital Human—go heavy on dazzling effects. Although visually impressive, these can sometimes become distracting during intense gameplay. If you prefer a subtler experience, Enhance has you covered with an extensive suite of accessibility options.
### Accessibility and Customization
The game’s accessibility settings allow players to tone down the visual effects, making the experience more comfortable—particularly in VR mode. Options include modifiers that reduce stress, settings for whether blocks fall automatically, and a comprehensive No Fail option. Players can also adjust camera distance to lessen the impact of effects or toggle off elements like spiders and snakes for those with specific phobias.
Despite these options, *Lumines Arise* responsibly includes a photosensitivity warning upon startup, preparing players for the vivid sensory experience ahead.
### More Ways to Play
While Journey Mode is the heart of *Lumines Arise*, the game also offers additional modes for variety.
– **Missions** challenge players with specific goals, such as clearing squares within a fixed number of moves or tackling quirky objectives. Some missions introduce falling towers and even Tetris-shaped pieces—a fun nod to Enhance’s previous puzzle hit.
– **Multiplayer** features primarily two modes. In Burst Battle, players compete to clear as many squares as possible while sending garbage blocks to their opponents. Each player can choose their preferred backgrounds and music tracks.
– **Leaderboard League** includes Time Attack challenges and Dig Down, where you race against a rising tide of blocks. While these modes add replay value, their limited number may reduce long-term appeal.
### Building a Community Through Play
One standout feature of the multiplayer experience is its community focus. Weekend events invite the entire player base to participate in any multiplayer mode, contributing collectively to worldwide goals—like gathering Light to construct a giant Vision structure. Completing games during these events rewards players with items to customize their Pon avatars.
The game’s presentation further strengthens this sense of community. NPC Pon avatars of logged-in players appear in menus, partying to the game’s festive soundtrack, creating a lively and interactive main hub.
### The Soundtrack: The Heartbeat of Lumines Arise
*Lumines Arise*’s defining feature is its vibrant soundtrack, composed by Hydelic. The music spans genres including techno, house, rap, and LoFi beats. These tracks work seamlessly with the game’s moving Timeline, which erases completed squares, and the constantly animated backgrounds.
Players aren’t required to play to the beat, but the music naturally syncs with the gameplay. When a background song speeds up, so does the Timeline, upping the challenge and creating an engaging, toe-tapping experience.
### Press Play
Like *Tetris Effect* before it, *Lumines Arise* is as much a musical journey as it is a puzzle game. Its success relies heavily on a stellar tracklist, which it delivers in spades. The result is an entertaining Journey Mode and enjoyable multiplayer sessions.
Enhance also includes a Playlist mode, allowing players to arrange songs and their associated backgrounds to their liking—a great feature for those who want to curate their own experience.
As a longtime *Tetris* fan with only a casual affinity for the *Lumines* series, I can say *Lumines Arise* is an absolute triumph. Its visuals are among Enhance’s best, powered by a fusion of Unity and their proprietary Synaesthesia Engine. The gameplay is wildly fun and unexpectedly challenging in spots, but above all, it offers a relaxing and rewarding experience.
So, sit back, dive in, and let the beat drop.
https://www.shacknews.com/article/146765/lumines-arise-review-score