Lux-Pain

 DS
Metascore
48

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 33
  3. Negative: 17 out of 33
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  1. Telegraph
    70
    The visual novel is a very niche genre in the west, and even forgiving the game its numerous grammatical sins, Lux-Pain will be a tough sell to most. But it deserves praise for engaging some unusually weighty themes, and weaving them skilfully into its own twisted tapestry of psychological chills and sci-fi-flavoured thrills.
  2. Nintendo Life
    70
    The biggest problem faced by Lux-Pain is the poor effort that appears to have been made to localize the game effectively and this lets down an otherwise very engaging title.
  3. Impulsegamer
    66
    At the end of the day, Lux Pain had a very interesting concept that unfortunately seems once again lost in translation which is a shame because the story was there, it just needed the gameplay to be tweaked.
  5. AtomicGamer
    65
    Lux-Pain is an ambitious title that suffers from a problem called, “biting off more than it can chew”. Although the game has interesting ideas and looks and sounds good, it's weighed down by an overlong and convoluted storyline and conspicuous lack of game play.
  6. GamingExcellence
    59
    However all of these facets don’t change the fact that Lux-Pain is nearly impossible to recommend. While it succeeds rather surprisingly on almost every technical level it’s still a hard sell due to the translation.
  7. GamingTrend
    58
    In the end, Lux-Pain is really more of an interactive novel than an adventure game, and the intriguing premise is undermined by the uninspired gameplay and confusing story
  8. GameFocus
    55
    Throughout the time I spent with Lux-Pain, there was an underlying feeling that the game would have been better off as an anime series. There is loads of text to read and characters to meet, but the time you spend actually playing is relatively small.
  9. Da Gameboyz
    50
    Although the visuals are solid, and the voice acting is strong, the confusing story, poorly localized text, and small amount of actual play versus the volumes of content you have to read all take away from what could have been a pretty cool game.
  10. GameZone
    50
    Quotation forthcoming.
    All this publication's reviews
  11. Destructoid
    50
    Ultimately, Lux-Pain provides a mediocre experience when it could have been a much darker Phoenix Wright. Had it taken up more adventure game elements and stopped being a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book without any of the choice, I might have been genuinely impressed.

Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
30
#30 Most Shared DS Game of 2009

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18
  1. HeroinePandora
    Sep 28, 2013
    5
    While this game isn't the cream of the crop, it would have been much better if the translation weren't so marred. It wasn't really so much aWhile this game isn't the cream of the crop, it would have been much better if the translation weren't so marred. It wasn't really so much a game as it was a visual novel, with very few gameplay elements, and few instances of them showing up. And even with a better translation, I still feel like the ending felt rather muddled. The majority of characters I couldn't get attached to or care about, but a few hit my sweet spot. What makes this especially sad is that the game's art direction was beautiful.
    Music: 8
    Art: 8
    Gameplay: 6
    Writing: 6
    Bottom line: Ultimately a disappointing "game" but it could have done better if there was more effort put into it. I would play a proper re-release, however.    … Full Review »
  2. DanielJ
    Aug 12, 2009
    8
    The translation is a bit wonky. That much is clear. It makes following the story unnecessarily confusing at times. But there are menus filled The translation is a bit wonky. That much is clear. It makes following the story unnecessarily confusing at times. But there are menus filled with information about all the characters and what's happened in the story, so it's easy enough to go back over what has happened to straighten it all out. With just a little dedication, there's a brilliantly compelling story in here, one not afraid to tackle heavy subjects like murder and animal abuse. P.S. It is OBVIOUSLY an interactive novel, not an action-heavy game. Games don't have to be action-heavy. There are different genres for that. I wish the majority of critics could understand that, but apparently not!… Full Review »
  3. CaseyB
    May 25, 2009
    8
    First off I gotta reiterate what some one else said. If you want a game with action don't go here. It is a very "on the rails" kinda First off I gotta reiterate what some one else said. If you want a game with action don't go here. It is a very "on the rails" kinda game and in a way, again like others said, would have made a good anime movie or even series. I love the characters, the story, and the who dunnit idea of the game. What I don't like is the sad localization. Like a lot of people have said. For a while I thought my game might have been bugged. It can actually get confusing when you listen to the voice over then read the text. Even at some points having a voiced over character and a text only one in the same scene. Other than that though I am liking the game. I wouldn't mind a reissue of the game that fixes the problem but that is asking a bit much.… Full Review »
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