Lumines Supernova

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Lumines Supernova
Lumines Supernova logo.png
Developer(s) Q Entertainment
Publisher(s) Q Entertainment
Director(s) Katsumi Yokota
Designer(s) Tetsuya Mizuguchi
Series Lumines
Platform(s) PlayStation 3
Release
  • JP: December 18, 2008
  • NA: December 23, 2008
  • PAL: February 5, 2009
Genre(s) Puzzle
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Lumines Supernova [lower-alpha 1] is a puzzle video game, the fourth main entry in the Lumines series. The game was published and developed by Q Entertainment with original series creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi as the game designer and Katsumi Yokota as director. The game was released on the PlayStation Network in December 2008 for Japan and North America. The objective of the game is to arrange 2×2 blocks varying between two colors into same-colored squares by moving them, rotating, and dropping them in a 16×10 playing field while a timeline sweeps from left to right and clears the completed squares and awards points to the players. It features all of the previous game modes that Lumines Live! implemented except for online multiplayer, as well as an expanded version of the Sequencer from Lumines II and a new mode, DigDown Mode. Lumines Supernova was received positively among reviewers, with some adding it to their Top-rated lists. However, the game was criticized for the lack of online multiplayer that was previously introduced in the series.

Contents

Gameplay

Screenshot of Lumines Supernova's DigDown mode. Lumines Supernova DigDown.png
Screenshot of Lumines Supernova's DigDown mode.

Lumines Supernova's gameplay has remained largely the same as its predecessors in the Lumines series with new features. The objective of the game is to rotate and move 2×2 blocks varying between two colors onto a 16×10 playing field to create squares of 2×2 of matching color or larger. A vertical line known as the "Time Line" sweeps across the playing field from left to right and erases the matching colored squares, awarding points to the player's total score. The game is lost when the blocks reach the top of the playing field. The core game modes from the series return: Challenge mode, Time Attack Mode, and Puzzle mode. In Challenge mode, players unlock skins by continuously playing through each level. In time Attack mode, players must clear as many matching colored squares as possible under a time limit. In puzzle mode, players need to use the 2×2 blocks to create a specific shape.

Features previously introduced from Lumines Live! and Lumines II return in Lumines Supernova: Skin Edit mode and Mission mode. Skin Edit mode allows players to create a playlist of Skins previously unlocked in Challenge mode. Mission mode players must complete specific tasks. The Sequencer option was originally introduced in Lumines II but didn't appear in Lumines Live returns in this game. The sequencer allows players to create their original background music and sound effects from one of four unique base music types. With each base music, Players can save up to 20 original music sequences with each base music used. They can also be ported up to four skins into Skin Edit Mode and more skins including Sackboys and the Sackgirls from LittleBigPlanet. [1]

Lumines Supernova introduces DigDown Mode. DigDown Mode is a timed mode where the playing field is automatically filled with blocks and the player's objective is to dig down to the bottom of the playing field by creating colored squares. The stage is completed when two adjacent columns are cleared and a new stage begins with a new set of blocks. Blocks on the playing field and block fall speed increases after each cleared stage. [2] [3]

Development and release

Lumines Supernova was developed by Q Entertainment. The game was directed by Katsumi Yokota and produced by Tetsuya Mizuguchi. [3] Yokota concentrated on developing Supernova between May and September 2008. Just like Lumines II and Lumines Live! , the graphics for the skins were produced before the songs. During development, Nakamura experimented by adding in more female vocal samples and samples of Nakamura's voice as well. [4] Lumines Supernova was announced on September 4, 2008. [5] On December 18, 2008 Q Entertainment released the game on PlayStation 3 via PlayStation Network in Japan, [6] and in North America five days later. [7]

To promote the game, Q Entertainment released hat and shirt items in PlayStation Home based on the game. [8]

Two packages of downloadable content (DLC) were released for the game. The first DLC package, "Classic Pack", was released in Japan on March 12, 2009, and in North America a month prior. The Classic Pack contains 20 skins that originate from previous Lumines titles. [9] [10] The second DLC package titled, "Winter Holiday Pack" was originally released for a limited time but was bundled together with the Classic Pack in Japan on October 15, 2009 and as a stand-alone release for North America on October 22, 2009. [11] [12]

Reception

Lumines Supernova received "favorable" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [13]

Common compliments to the game from reviewers were the addition of the DigDown mode and Sequencer. In regards to DigDown mode, Greg Miller of IGN praised it for its challenge. [18] PlayStation Official Magazine – UK reviewer Jonti Davies gave similar praise to DigDown mode noting that it adds a challenge to the standard gameplay, but also considered the total amount of 20 levels to be short. [21] Michael McWhertor of Kotaku appreciated the additions of both DigDown mode and the Sequencer options to the pre-established gameplay and noted they add new ways to look at the same gameplay. [24] GameSpot reviewer, Mitch Dyer, didn't consider the new mode as enjoyable as the main game but found it to be a nice change of pace. [16] Christian Donlan of Eurogamer found the DigDown mode enjoyable to play for an hour but noted that it lacked replay value after completion. [14]

The lack of online multiplayer and new features was a common complaint among reviewers. [24] Miller criticized the recycled content from previous games and noted the game could've had more original content. [18] Although Miller recognizes online leaderboards and ways to track stats, he would've preferred it replaced with online multiplayer. [18] Dyer recognized the online multiplayer component not vital to enjoy the game, but still considered its absence disappointing. [16] Jeff Gerstmann of Giant Bomb also commented on the lack of online multiplayer but didn't consider it a significant loss due to not enjoying it in its predecessor, Lumines Live! . [17]

IGN listed it in their Top 25 PlayStation Games, Top 10 PlayStation Network Exclusive Games, and was the Runner up to the website's Game of the Month for December 2008. [25] [26] [27] Playmania ranked the game in 4th place on their seven most favorite puzzle games. [28] Game Informer recommended the game, and noted it compiled the best features from its predecessor and adding new gameplay mode. [29]

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References

Translation
  1. ↑ Japanese: ルミネス スーパーノヴァ, Hepburn: Ruminesu sūpānovu~a
Citation
  1. ↑ Clements, Ryan (December 5, 2008). "Lumines Supernova Details". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  2. ↑ Fahey, Mike (December 19, 2008). "Lumines Supernova Next Week With Free Holiday Cheer". Kotaku . G/O Media. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "シリーズ最新作『ルミネス スーパーノヴァ』". Famitsu (in Japanese). Enterbrain. September 12, 2008. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  4. ↑ Jeriaska (March 9, 2009). "Interview: Nakamura, Yokota On The Origins of Lumines Supernova". Game Developer . Informa. Archived from the original on March 12, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  5. ↑ Snow, Jean (September 4, 2008). "Lumines Supernova Announced for PS3". Wired . Condé Nast. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  6. ↑ "PS3「ルミネス スーパーノヴァ」公式サイトで週替わり壁紙配信実施". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). January 19, 2009. Archived from the original on May 14, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  7. ↑ Kietzmann, Ludwig (December 19, 2008). "Lumines Supernova dropping on PSN Dec. 23". Engadget (Joystiq). Yahoo! Inc. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  8. ↑ "PlayStation Homeで「ALO」「ルミネス SN」アバターアイテム配信開始". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  9. ↑ "『ルミネス スーパーノヴァ クラシックパック』今日から販売開始". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. March 12, 2009. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  10. ↑ Chester, Nick (February 11, 2009). "Productivity be damned: 'Classic Skin' pack for Lumines Supernova tomorrow". Destructoid . Gamurs. Archived from the original on July 4, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  11. ↑ "「ルミネス スーパーノヴァ」が価格改訂。なんと1000円（税込）に". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). October 15, 2009. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  12. ↑ "LUMINES Supernova Holiday Pack". PlayStation.com. Sony Interactive Entertainment. October 22, 2009. Archived from the original on May 7, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  13. 1 2 "Lumines Supernova". Metacritic . Fandom. Archived from the original on October 29, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Donlan, Christian (February 10, 2009). "Lumines Supernova". Eurogamer . Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 20, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  15. ↑ Lassinat-Foubert, Loup (February 10, 2009). "Test : Lumines éclaire le PSN". Gamekult (in French). TF1 Group. Archived from the original on June 21, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  16. 1 2 3 Dyer, Mitch (January 5, 2009). "Lumines Supernova Review". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on May 25, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Gerstmann, Jeff (January 14, 2009). "Lumines Supernova Review". Giant Bomb . Fandom. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  18. 1 2 3 4 Miller, Greg (December 19, 2008). "Lumines Supernova Review". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on December 2, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  19. ↑ Rivaol (February 12, 2009). "Test: Lumines Supernova". Jeuxvideo.com (in French). Webedia. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  20. ↑ Relaño, Joaquín (February 5, 2009). "Lumines Supernova: Bloques iluminados [date is mislabeled as "December 8, 2011"]". MeriStation (in Spanish). Diario AS. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  21. 1 2 "Lumines". PlayStation Official Magazine – UK . No. 29. Future plc. March 2009. p. 91.
  22. ↑ Jones, Darran (April 23, 2009). "Lumines Supernova". Retro Gamer . No. 63. Imagine Publishing.
  23. ↑ Robbins, Drew (January 22, 2009). "Lumines Supernova (PSN) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on January 31, 2009. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  24. 1 2 McWhertor, Michael (January 13, 2009). "Lumines Supernova Review: Still Shinin'". Kotaku . G/O Media. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  25. ↑ Hatfield, Daemon (June 29, 2009). "Top 10 PlayStation Network Exclusives". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  26. ↑ Miller, Greg; Moriarty, Colin (February 18, 2013). "Top 25 PlayStation Network Games". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on August 8, 2024. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  27. ↑ "Game of the Month December 2008". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  28. ↑ "Puzzle: Nuestros Favoritos". Playmania (in Spanish). No. 128. p. 53. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  29. ↑ Marchiafava, Jeff (April 17, 2012). "Top 10 PlayStation Network Exclusives". Game Informer . GameStop. Archived from the original on August 29, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
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