Lumo

 Switch
User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 18 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 18
  3. Negative: 4 out of 18
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  1. couchmonkey
    Jan 24, 2021
    7
    Lumo: A good return to old-school isometric platforming as we used to see in the 80s or early 90s. Reminiscent of Equinox or Solstice although inspired by Head Over Heels.

    Pros and cons (from big to small): #1 Pro: There's really nothing like this game coming out any more, a pretty unique experience. #2 Con: It can sometimes be difficult to tell where objects are with the isometric    Lumo: A good return to old-school isometric platforming as we used to see in the 80s or early 90s. Reminiscent of Equinox or Solstice although inspired by Head Over Heels.

    Pros and cons (from big to small):
    #1 Pro: There's really nothing like this game coming out any more, a pretty unique experience.
    #2 Con: It can sometimes be difficult to tell where objects are with the isometric view. It would appear 3D platformers like Super Mario 64 made this genre obsolete, but they're not the same.
    #3 Con: No combat - I was hoping for an experience similar to Equinox on SNES, but this game is more exploring and jumping than fighting.
    #4 Pro: The ambient soundtrack and colourful lighting create a solitary atmosphere that matches the old Equinox feel amazingly well.
    #5 Pro: The game has lots of breaks from dungeon crawling into minecart riding, slalom skiing, and even a Zaxxon clone, like a miniature museum of isometric gaming.
    #6 Smallish Cons: No more leaderboards as of 2020, and there are a few small glitches.
    #7 Smallish Pro: It's nice to play this type of game with a joystick instead of a d-pad. The classics stink in this regard.

    Replay value: It took me about 25 hours to play through exploration mode once plus a couple of tries at hardcore mode (finite lives and no saves). The game contains lots of "achievements" and hidden items which gives it a fair chunk of replay value, and I'm not sure you can experience all of the game's hidden "warp zones" on one playthrough.

    As of this writing, I'd put the game's value at about $25 CAN ($20 US). I believe that's in line with the current eshop price, but the game goes on sale often.    … Expand
  2. mckindle
    Dec 26, 2021
    7
    I picked up this in the 2021 holiday sale, and it was a steal. The game starts off a little slow, building up how it’s puzzles work but once it gets into it it’s very fluid and fun to play. I’m going to rip into what’s wrong with the game, but I really want to stress that it’s actually a very fun game, very enjoyable to play, and with a visit.

    So ripping in: one thing that the game    I picked up this in the 2021 holiday sale, and it was a steal. The game starts off a little slow, building up how it’s puzzles work but once it gets into it it’s very fluid and fun to play. I’m going to rip into what’s wrong with the game, but I really want to stress that it’s actually a very fun game, very enjoyable to play, and with a visit.

    So ripping in: one thing that the game suffers from is a poor sense of visual depth. Many of the puzzles rely on you landing on suspended platforms or collecting rubber ducks from locations where you’ll meet guaranteed death if you miss the target. With a little practice you can get it, but when you fail regularly because of this issue it just illuminates the depth problem rather than feeling like a feature.

    There is also an issue with accidentally passing through doors, subsequently changing rooms when you don’t want to. It could be argued that this is trying to teach the player to hone their skills, but it feels more like a level design issue that could and should have been fixed. I think the game would be significantly improved by allowing you to change input after you have chosen at the beginning of the game. There are three control layouts for navigation in this isometric puzzle game, and if you get the wrong one for you and you’ve played a while I think you’re more likely to never play again rather than start in a different style. That to me is something that should be revisited and fixed by the developer.

    My final gripe with this game is the sound the character makes when they die. The wretched noise was very nearly enough to make me stop playing, but I got good quick and it became less of a problem. Still, when I do die it really irks me. Not because it’s mocking me for dying, I like that in a game. Just because it’s a horrible sound akin to someone’s grandpa expelling air, groaning through a mouth missing false teeth. It’s just unpleasant.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

66
#66 Best Switch Game of 2017

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
  1. DarkStation
    Dec 22, 2017
    60
    Lumo is a disappointing example of good intentions leading to bad results. While it pays admirable homage to the old-school, fixed-camera video games, Lumo falls victim to frustrating difficulty spikes and unwieldy movement. A short run-time coupled with a lack of depth perception spoils the fun, ensuring that Lumo is best left for those craving old-school puzzle games. The game isn’t without its charms, but it's hard to recommend it. Those interested in an old-school take on puzzle platforming may be willing to overcome its flaws, but modern gamers will want to reconsider their options before doubling down on Lumo.
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  2. NintendoWorldReport
    Dec 20, 2017
    85
    Lumo succeeds as a new entry into a genre that had been lost in time. It delivers an experience that feels retro while including the option for modern gaming conveniences to take a genre that would likely be unapproachable for newcomers to a worthwhile experience for anyone who is willing to try something challenging and new.
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  3. FNintendo
    Dec 2, 2017
    80
    Lumo is a fitting tribute to isometric platform games which honours its retrogaming references with a progressive and well adjusted difficulty curve, as well as plenty of references to classic titles of years gone by. While the fixed camera may cause some issues in specific moments, the overall experience is nothing short of pleasant and enjoyable, whether on short or long gaming sessions.
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