Lumines: Electronic Symphony
Overview -Sometimes it's the simplest games that give us the greatest pleasures. Lumines appeared with the launch of the original PSP, and its Tetris-style gameplay coupled with an excellent soundtrack led to it being one of the biggest hits in the entire life of the system. Now that Sony has released the PS Vita, it's only fitting that a new Lumines should premiere along with it.
Video Review
Lumines: Electronic Symphony is glossed to a high sheen. Then again, blocks and squares aren't too graphically intensive. Still, things look suitably futuristic and fantastical. The Vita's brilliant display is perfect for showcasing the graphics, which practically pop off the screen.
Audio Review
A big part of the first Lumines was the brilliant soundtrack, and Electronic Symphony lives up to the series' heritage and its own name. There are over thirty tracks, by such names as The Chemical Brothers, LCD Soundsystem, Underworld, and more. The music also sets the timing for the timeline passes, so it's not just for aesthetic purposes. The music is completely integral to the Lumines experience, and Electronic Symphony does not disappoint in the slightest.
Lumines: Electronic Symphony lives up to the promise of its older sibling, being as much of a must-have launch title for the Vita as its predecessor was for the PSP. The $40 price tag might seem a bit steep for what a puzzle game, but given how much gaming you'll get out of it, it's still a worthwhile investment.
