Lumines Supernova

Screenshot of Lumines Supernova's DigDown mode.

Lumines Supernova gameplay has remained largely the same from its previous counterparts. The goal of the game is to rotate and move 2×2 blocks varying between two colors onto the playing field in order to create 2×2 blocks of the same color (known as colored squares). A Time Line passes over the playing field from left to right and erases colored squares and awards points to the player's overall 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, Puzzle mode. In Challenge mode, players unlocks skins by continuously playing through each level. Time Attack mode, players must clear as many colored squares as possible under a time limit. In puzzle mode, players needs 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 originally introduced in Lumines II but didn't appear in Lumines Live returns in this game. Sequencer allows players to create their own 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 Little Big Planet.[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 cleared 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 increase after each cleared stage.[2][3]

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, Yokota experimented by adding in more female vocal samples and samples of Yokota's own 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 and North America.[6][7] To promote the game, Q Entertainment released exclusive Lumines Supernova based hat and shirt items in PlayStation Home.[8]

Two packages of downloadable content (DLC) were released for the game. The first DLC package titled, "Classic Pack" was released in Japan on March 12, 2009, and on February 12, 2009, in North America. 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]

Lumines Supernova was received well among critics. It currently has an aggregated score of 80 out of 100 based on 16 reviews.[13] IGN listed it in their Top 25 PlayStation Games, Top 10 PlayStation Network Exclusive Games, and was the Runner up to IGN's Game of the Month for December 2008.[20][21][22] Playmania magazine ranked Lumines Supernova in 4th place on their seven most favorite puzzle games.[23]

Game Informer recommended the game, and noted it compiled the best features from its predecessor and adding new gameplay mode.[24] GameSpot reviewer, Mitch Dyer, praised the new DigDown mode alongside the improved Sequencer option returning.[25] Kotaku praised the new DigDown game mode and the Sequencer option but criticized the lack of online multiplayer.[26] 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!.[16] Christian Donlan of Eurogamer was not impressed with the new features, however continued to praised the game stating, "Although the new toys fail to entirely justify themselves - and if you can forgive the absence of online options, and look past what many perceive as the heresy of playing the game on anything other than a handheld - Lumines Supernova is probably the fullest incarnation of the game yet available."[14]

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