Chime Super Deluxe

 Development studio Zoë Mode originally released Chime early last year, but unfortunately the game didn’t ever make its way to the PS3. Don’t worry though, because the PlayStation Network is now the exclusive home of the definitive version of the game, entitled Chime Super Deluxe – yes, good things truly do come to those who wait. Featuring extra levels, updated visuals, and a new multiplayer component, there’s never been a better time to try this game out.

Chime Super Deluxe is a music/puzzle hybrid game that takes elements of both Tetris and Lumines, to create a unique experience. The aim of Chime is to get at least 100% coverage across the matrix (the first level begins with a simple 16×32 square grid), which is achieved by creating blocks, called quads, of at least 3×3 squares. These quads are created by fitting shapes together, in a similar way to Tetris, but the shapes are all made up of five squares, rather than Tetris’ four.

Another big difference with Tetris is that you are free to place shapes wherever you want on the matrix, and they will remain there and not fall to the bottom, presenting you with far more opportunities to gain coverage and score more points. However, if you leave a shape idle for too long, then it will disappear, allowing you to fit new shapes there, but at the cost of losing your multiplier, which is needed for earning a high score.

Each level in the game has a uniquely shaped matrix, and includes different shapes (although they are all made up of five squares), with later levels including the more difficult-to-place shapes. Each level can be played in Free Mode (in which there is no time limit), or timed modes of 3, 6 or 9 minutes. However, if you play well, you will earn coverage bonuses and be rewarded with extra time, so it’s not uncommon for a good player to spend closer to ten minutes in a 3 minute game.

But where does Lumines fit in, you say? Well, the inclusion of a beat line adds a new element to the gameplay, as a quad can only become proper coverage once the beat line touches it. This will also set off samples in each song, as will the many shape fragments that will end up scattered across the matrix. Each ‘level’ in the game features one of the game’s ten songs, five of which are exclusive to Chime Super Deluxe, and all of which are awesome.

READ THE REST OF THIS REVIEW AT PS3 ATTITUDE