Lumines Supernova Forum

get2sammyb said:

"I'm a n00b and I'll get better."

Yes, you are, and yes, you will.

get2sammyb said:

"In fact, is it even possible to clear the screen?"

Yes, it is.  It is acknowledged by the game (at least on XBLA) that this is a feat, so you score some decent bonus points when you do.

I rented the PSP version and hated it.

Diagonal blocks?  You mean the ones that look like this?  (I'll use >'s to represent color one and <'s to represent color two, and V's to represent empty spaces)

><
<>

All you have to do is use a split drop; if dropped onto an uneven landing spot, the block will split in half.  Let's say you have a playfield that looks like this:

V<VVVVVVV
V>>VVV<<V
V<>V<V>>V

Then you drop the aforementioned block on the rightmost section, to create this layout:

VVVVVVV>
V<VVVVV<
V>>VVV<<<
V<>V<V>>>

See what changed?  Now you have an almost completed square.  The next ideal block would be one like:

>>
<>

But you could use another diagonal to almost the same effect.  In any case, with only 6 possible blocks in Lumines, you don't have long to wait if you're holding out for a specific block.  Anyways, we would position the aforementioned block on the right side like so:

VVVVVVV>>
V<VVVVV<<
V>>VVV<<<>
V<>V<V>>>>

And I've just connected a complete square, eliminating four pieces from the board.  But wait, what's this?  When the remaining blocks drop...


V<VVVVV
V>>VVV<>>>
V<>V<V>>>>

I have a group of six already lined up for the next sweep.  Awesome!

Just practice, you'll begin to see these patterns soon enough.  Remember to keep like colors together as much as possible, even if you can't match them immediately.  You'll find ways to do so as you progress, and at some point you'll get the special power-up that will allow you eliminate all the connected blocks of a single color.  Also keep an eye on the speed of the sweep; connected blocks that haven't been swept off yet can still be built onto, creating larger groups.