Time mode is basically the exact same as puzzle mode except that you are timed throughout your session and the set of levels you play is random each time. The clock begins at 30 seconds and counts down until you run out of time. However, you can increase your time by finishing levels quickly (the levels at the beginning are very easy to complete but they get progressively harder as you play). There are checkpoints at each interval of 10 levels and once you reach one, you can begin at that checkpoint any time you fail (with the initial time you had when you reached the checkpoint). You are also rewarded medals for the amount of time you rack up at each checkpoint though they really serve no purpose other than making you feel like a light warrior.
Hyper is probably the most unique variation of the initial puzzle mode. In hyper, players must channel light to glowbos before they explode. At the beginning, players are given two mirrors and a light source and only a small number of glowbos appear at a time. However, as the mode progresses, players will be provided with more and more components such as splitters and filters to make the process much more difficult. Also, the rate of glowbo appearance increases as you progress through the mode. Each time a glowbo explodes, you lose a life and you’re only provided with 5 (though you can gain more as you progress through the game). Players are also provided with 3 bombs that clear the screen entirely in case you get yourself in too much of a bind. All in all, hyper mode is a hectic take on the game’s puzzle mode and quite an enjoyable one at that.
Infinite mode is exactly what you would expect: you play through until you get sick of playing and losing is impossible (aside from giving up on a puzzle that is too difficult to solve). Players are scored by how many glowbos they save and how many pieces they don’t use on each level. This is probably the least appealing mode of the game because there is really nothing that drives you to keep building your score.
There are also a few multplayer modes added into the game including a co-op mode and a versus mode, both of which are via single card download play (perfect for sharing the game with your friends). The co-op mode is actually quite innovative as it forces both players to solve individual parts of a large puzzle, allowing each player to only move the individual components on his/her respective screen. As for versus, players must race to finish a level before the other. Each level that accounts for a point and the first to reach the set number of rounds wins. All in all, the multiplayer experience in Prism is a very solid addition to the game that can add extra hours of depth.
Blinded By the Light (or deafened)
Though the game is quite enjoyable in terms of gameplay, other factors have lowered the overall score in my eyes. For instance, the first thing I noticed when I turned on the game was the music, or lack thereof. This game features only two musical tracks, neither of which are very enjoyable. The first song loops through the title screen, menus, and even the puzzle and endless modes. The song is a bit relaxing for the first 2 minutes but rather than grow on you, it taunts you with its dismal repetition. The other track, which plays during the Time and Hyper modes is a little bit more upbeat but just as musically dry. Though bad music doesn’t usually break a game, it tends to keep a good game from being great in my opinion and that is the case with the music in Prism.
As for the visuals, they are much more suitable than the music, featuring glossy menus, cute little anime-like characters, and a bare bones, yet effective in-game art style. Though the visuals didn’t wow me, they were exactly what I would expect from a puzzle game (polished and non-intrusive). If not for the poor musical score, the overall presentation is quite polished.
A Light Summary
Prism: Light the way sheds some new light on the world of puzzling with its light bending puzzles and fans of the genre should be very pleased with this title. With game modes ranging from slow puzzling to hectic action-based puzzling, this game’s got a mix of it all. Did I mention that the multiplayer is also very solid and includes two different modes via download play? Despite the dismal musical soundtrack, this title should be perfect for any puzzle aficionado. Recommended.
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