Lumo (2016)

Imperfection does not readily detract from the successes that Lumo achieves, a heartfelt love letter to the revered golden era of gaming that has been created with thoughtful ingenuity. The isometric camera angle can frustrate in how it can lead to imprecision, but it’s hard not to come away charmed by the game’s enchanting design.

Overall Lumo did have its fun moments with some puzzles that were really fun, however they seemed to be not nearly enough of them. Some of the fun seemed to be pulled out of the game due to difficult platforming angles.

Lumo had the makings of an instant classic. A retro tribute without the retro graphics, combined with an adorable character make for a very tempting game. It even had pop culture references to yesteryears that some people would recognize. But mechanically, Lumo had critical flaws. Isometric views should never be hindrance to gameplay, but rather a style of presentation that offers a unique experience. And that’s where the game fell short.

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.

Lumo brings back the isometric platform genre in an experience that fits right into the Nintendo Switch catalog. Thanks to its well implemented difficulty curve and to the immense amount of references to retrogaming classics, Lumo is certain to gain a place in the heart of many players, even if its fixed camera may occasionally cause some issues but overall, this is a pleasant and praiseworthy game for all.