Lumines is back on mobile and it's as hypnotic and compulsive as ever

As I said when I played ColorSweeper, style can go a long way when it comes to puzzlers. When expertly executed, it can elevate the experience to something truly special. Lumines Remastered is the absolute epitome of this, combining audio and visuals superbly to create a delightful flow state simulator. I've been playing the trial version for a while now, and I'm itching to get back to it.

If you're unfamiliar with Lumines, the premise is simple: You have to drop 2x2 blocks to form a square that's entirely one colour. When you do that, it'll become a solid block that will remain on the board until the timeline, which swoops from left to right, swings by and clears it, netting you some points. While you're waiting, you can scramble to create more squares to get a bigger score multiplier. To say it's Tetris with squares is slightly unfair, but equally, it's a fairly apt comparison.

On paper, I appreciate that it doesn't seem out of the ordinary. But just wait until you play it and make sure you're wearing headphones when you do. Every rotation, match, and block clear triggers a musical sting or sound effect that tickles the part of your brain that finds satisfaction in small wins while the entrancing background music guides you into a trance-like state. It's all perfectly synced together, making you feel like the driving force behind the music.

And that might get boring if Lumines Remastered didn't switch everything up when it starts to become overly familiar. After a while, the block colour, background, sound effects and track all change, sweeping you up into a different world. In some ways, it's slightly jarring when it all shifts, but it's also quite effective. Everything is essentially the same, but a little bit different, which all adds to the relaxed haziness the game brings. 

A sensory delight

Given that the action can get more frantic as you progress through the stages, the controls might be a concern for some of you. I had the same worry, particularly when Lumines Remastered itself recommends using a controller. Sometimes, this is code for, “We don't back our touch controls.” However, they work incredibly well. There are only really three buttons: left/right, rotate, and drop. They each occupy a large portion of the screen without blocking, well, the blocks, meaning accidental inputs are rare and none of the spectacle is covered up. 

If you were a fan of Lumines before, then I'm sure you'll love the Remastered version. The music and gameplay are fantastic, beautifully synced in a way that's not all that common, especially on mobile. If you're new, then definitely check it out if you enjoy hypnotic puzzlers that demand repeat attempts.

You can check out Lumines Remastered on the App Store and Google Play. The trial allows you to play the 60-second variant of Time Attack and the first few stages of Challenge mode. Then, if you want to buy the full game, it's currently priced at £7.49 or your local equivalent, though it will eventually increase to £8.99.