LuminesIi
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Download new Lumines Live! content, save the world
Lumines Live! (that's the name, we're not shouting) debuted on Xbox Live Arcade last October in a fragmented state, chopped apart by the 50MB file size limit enforced at the time. With several of the game's modes offered as optional and costly additions, it quickly became the hideous poster child for monstrous microtransactions. If you still feel that way, look away before we discuss two new downloadable content packs, one of which is designed to save the Earth. Q Entertainment has announced that purchases of the SOS Charity Campaign Pack made between June 27th and July 17th will go towards climate protection organizations and causes. A remix of "Heavenly Star", the embarrassingly catchy tune by Japanese group Genki Rockets, is included in the pack as a celebration of the group's upcoming appearance at Al Gore's Live Earth musical event. If you haven't heard the song yet, consider that Lumines and Rez designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi came up with it as an answer to the question, "What kind of song would a 17-year old girl from outer space who has never landed on Earth sing to those living on Earth?" For 350 MS Points (a rather awkward $4 and 37 and a half cents), you'll also receive "House66" by Sugiurumn, "Cosmic Humming" by Muku and the excellent "4x4 Bricks" by Techriders. Joining the SOS Charity Campaign pack on June 27th is the Booster Pack, more suited to those happy to sit in front of the TV and rearrange squares while the world outside melts. The Booster Pack contains 20 additional skins and features a "must-see" collaboration between Lumines, "Bloomy Girls" and Japanese "visual artist/musician" Masakatsu Takagi. It'll set you back 600 MS Points, or $7.50 in your pre-apocalyptic Earth money. [via Q Entertainment press release]
Lumines II downloadable demo
Longtime PSP Fanboy readers know that we love Lumines II. For the unacquainted, this puzzler from game guru Mizuguchi combines music and highly addictive gameplay for a truly mesmerizing experience. Try this new demo, fresh from the game's Japanese website.1. Download the demo EBOOT file.2. Connect your PSP to your computer using a USB cable. 3. Go to the PSP/GAME folder.4. Create ULJM05232 folder. 5. Copy EBOOT file into the ULJM05232 directory. Check out our new demos site:demos.pspfanboy.com
Deal of the Day: Lumines II, now only $20
Did you miss out on Lumines II? Most likely. Although we praised the video-enhanced puzzler, the game didn't seem to be different enough from the first Lumines to warrant a purchase for many. However, those of you that missed out on this great game now have no excuse: Lumines II is only $20 at Best Buy.From our review: "Although the core mechanics of the game remain unchanged, the new skins, and sleeker presentation make it more than a worthwhile purchase, even for people that played the original extensively. However, with no infrastructure option, and some puzzling user interface issues, it's sad to see that Lumines Ii isn't as perfect as it could have, should have, been."[Via CAG]
Remix Lumines II's 'Breezer' track
Wanna hang with Junkie XL at the Winter Music Conference in Miami next year? We don't either. But Buena Vista's Lumines II Video Mixer is a fun diversion for wannabe DJs anyway. The mixing program is free to use and you aren't obligated to enter the contest (unless you want to). We just wish this thing had a chop n' screw button...
Lumines II to feature "pretty famous artists" [Update 1]
The original Lumines combined block-dropping puzzle fun with psychadelic images and cool grooves. It was a mesmerizing experience that placed it as one of the top 10 games to play when you're stoned. Even without the influence of illegal drugs, many could appreciate Lumines and its excellent soundtrack. Although the original's song list was excellent, it didn't really have too many high-profile artists, except for Mondo Grosso, the artist behind the addictive "Shinin"'.Speaking at the Develop conference in Europe, Tetsuya Mitzuguchi revealed that the PSP-bound Lumines sequel will feature some "pretty famous artists". Who could these artists be? I'll guess that they'll be Japanese. Maybe we'll see some Orange Range or nobodyknows+ like in a certain DS music game? Personally, I'd kill for some UVERworld. While we won't know for a few weeks, it sure is fun to make a few guesses. Read the full story on GamesIndustry.biz for more details on Mizuguchi's other projects.[Update 1: According to Siliconera, BoA and Mondo Grosso are confirmed for Lumines II. That, to me, is hot.]
More musical Mizuguchi mayhem materializes
Oh, death by alliteration can be most painful indeed. And yet, it's a risk worth taking when it comes to revealing new PSP and DS games from Tetsuya Mizuguchi, the creative, possibly insane game designer behind Space Channel 5 (and it's swinging sequel), Rez, Sega Rally and of course, the criminally addictive Lumines. Featuring heavy musical components that can often be influenced by the player, his recent titles have demonstrated a knack for style and an unusual ability to impart something vaguely resembling inspiration. If you've played through Space Channel 5, you'll know exactly what we mean.Thankfully abandoning orcs and dynastic warriors for greener and more familiar portable pastures, Mizuguchi is now acting as executive producer on Gunpey-R, short for Gunpey Reverse. Based on an older Wonderswan game, Gunpey-R sees the player -- wait for it -- moving square panels up and down in an effort to create lines running from right to left. Success leads to panels vanishing as ooposed to killing you violently when they claw their way to the top of the screen. The PSP version will feature interactive "skins" (in the same vein as Lumines), whereas the DS version will play different sounds as each panel is cleared.Namco Bandai is taking care of publishing duties in Japan, with American and European releases still unaccounted for. Given the success of Q Entertainment's previous games, it shouldn't take too long before everyone is pulled back into a mesmerizing music-and-rhythm marathon. With such a widespread appeal, music is most certainly a sound route to the home of that elusive casual gamer. See also: Lumines Live to hit Xbox Live Arcade Lumines Plus to drop on PS2 Joystiq's top 10 hidden gems of this generation
