Lumines Arise – the Almost Perfect Zen Puzzle

Lumines Arise — an almost perfect zen puzzle game. Together with Tetris Effect, designer Tetsuya Mizuguchi and his team at Enhance, Inc. have created something familiar yet with a new twist. In video games, very few things are as clearly defined as falling blocks in Tetris, but thanks to the studio's signature immersive sound and visual design, the game has transformed into something else, where every element guides you into the so-called "zone." Now the team has applied this approach to Lumines. Although the result isn't as clear-cut as in Tetris Effect, Lumines Arise remains one of the most captivating puzzles I've ever played.

If you are not familiar with Lumines, it is somewhat like a version of Tetris built around music. Initially, the game was conceived as a musical Tetris, but due to issues with rights, it evolved into something more unique. 2x2 blocks fall from the top, made up of two differently colored parts, and your goal is to place them in such a way that they form single-colored 2x2 blocks, which then disappear from the screen. The twist is that the screen does not clear automatically. Instead, you wait for the "timeline" to move across the field in rhythm with the music, creating opportunities for forming block combinations for simultaneous clearing.

Lumines Arise retains this core mechanic but adds a new element — the "burst," which allows for longer delays in clearing the screen and creating even more exciting combinations. The game is filled with vibrant visual and sound effects that create a zen-like state characteristic of the best puzzles. The main mode is "journey," along with multiplayer and several challenges where you progress through themed levels that vary in style and mood.

If you've played Lumines before, you won't be surprised by the fantastic electronic music filled with loud rhythms and bright visual effects. It's great, though not very different from previous installments. The uniqueness of Arise lies in its occasional unexpectedness and even strangeness. On many levels, blocks transform into other objects and grow as matches are formed. For example, on one of the early levels, instead of blocks, you combine vegetables, and as you create larger combinations, giant tomatoes appear on the screen. It's playful and surprising, and one of the defining features of Arise.

There's a level styled after R&B with a backdrop of rainy Tokyo at night, a level with jellyfish, and another where combining spider eggs leads to tiny spiderlings scurrying across the screen. For fans of Tetris Effect, the game offers a spiritual sequel to the unforgettable jazz level from that game. These audiovisual elements enhance the very feel of Lumines. Especially when playing with headphones, the effects create an almost trance-like state, helping you focus on the mechanics of combining blocks while the sounds and visuals envelop you. This allowed me to play the best Lumines of my life, even though I'm not very skilled.

The effects in Arise are often more dramatic and ambitious than in Tetris Effect, creating memorable moments — for instance, when a giant holographic snake nods its head to the EDM beats while you manipulate the blocks. However, at times, these effects can be excessive and may interfere with gameplay. On some levels, the visual effects become hard to perceive due to similar colors or symbols, making them difficult to distinguish, especially during tense moments with a screen full of blocks. Such levels exist, but I hope they will be addressed in future updates. They complicate immersion in the game rather than deepen it.

Despite these shortcomings, this is the best version of Lumines. The core gameplay mechanics remain excellent and filled with style, transforming the game into something constantly evolving while helping maintain the right mood for high scores. Lumines may not reach the iconic status of Tetris, but Arise demonstrates just how similar these games are. The release of Lumines Arise is scheduled for November 11 for PS5 and PC.