Lumines

Waiting for the sweep

Making a square is only the beginning of a move. Until the timeline reaches it, that square occupies space and can grow into a larger clearance. The changing musical tempo therefore alters how much room you have to build and recover. A tidy board lets you enjoy the song; a crowded one turns the same beat into a deadline. Its appeal comes from learning to see both the next block and the approaching sweep.

Start by keeping the surface low and clearing small squares. Listen for the timeline’s pace before attempting a long chain. Headphones help make the connection between your moves and the soundtrack audible, but the puzzle remains readable on screen.

A puzzle for headphones

Lumines accompanied the PSP’s 2004 Japanese introduction. Creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi describes designing around a portable device used with headphones, where the player’s actions contribute to the music. The original programme credits Q Entertainment and Bandai; Ubisoft published Western editions.