To say I just had to forcibly remove the controller from my hands and turn off the television to write this review is an understatement. Chime Super Deluxe is highly addicting, as a good puzzle game should be. The learning curve takes seconds to pick up, and that’s half the charm. Pick up and play at its very finest, there’s no need for tutorials or roundabout introductions to stagger the gameplay.
For those who are unfamiliar, Chime Super Deluxe is a grid based puzzle game that borrows heavily from Tetris and Lumines. Players are given blocks of various shapes and charged with completing rectangular “quads” to clear space. The object of the game is to achieve 100% coverage of the grid through a series of quads – the size of which dictate the score multiplier given with each completion. After a quad is complete, it leaves the grid to allow for further expansions along the board of areas yet to be covered. High score is calculated based on number and size of quads achieved in the time limit.
In your basic single player levels are locked until you complete at least 50% of the previous challenge. Players may choose to attack the level in 3, 6 or 9 minute intervals depending on their confidence. Though you may be able to complete the grid to 100% in 3 minutes, any remaining time is used to wipe the slate so you can continue up your score for a higher completion percent. Making valuable use of every second is key if you’re hoping to grab one of those coveted top spots on the Leaderboards.
The background music was just as addicting, feeling it change with every completed grid. As you complete quads, they give off notes that are added to the dynamic beat, making the musical experience variable with every play. As I remixed my way through the first challenge again, I realized that the tune was entirely different from my novice turn and flexing my quickly adapted Chime mastery paid off with a higher score in less time.
Time limits not your thing? Turn them off and enjoy some free play, a way to become familiar with the various shapes that may be thrust upon you. Twisting and turning comes naturally using the shoulder buttons, but practice really does make perfect here. Shaving off valuable seconds each round can mean the difference between 97% and the coveted 100%, so spending some time just to practice some shape connections can come in handy.
Multiplayer is available in the Co-Op and Versus flavors, but sadly they are limited to only local play. Players can work together to clear the grid, or compete in completing the most of their designated side. With the highly addictive nature of gameplay, I could see people getting lost for hours trying to out-score each other or taking down the grids in tandem.
Chime Super Deluxe is available now on the PlayStation Network for $9.99, and I highly recommend at least a glance at the demo for those doubtful of its charm. Anyone who spent as much time on Tetris in their youth as I did – this is a must have.
This review was writen by Kristen Maloney
