RipTen Review: Chime Super Deluxe (PSN)

Chime originally released as an indie title on the Xbox 360 last year and sold quite well. Recognized for it’s simple stress-free gamplay, developer Zoe Mode created successfully blended a music and puzzle game where the proceeds went to charity. Chime Super Deluxe for the PS3 is an enhanced version which adds improved visuals, six new songs and up to four player multiplayer.

You are given Tetris-like blocks of varying shapes with which you attempt to fill the grid, one by one. You can drop them anywhere, and earn “coverage” by assembling them into ‘quads’ of at least three by three squares. A line passes over the grid which converts the created quads into coverage.  As you add more blocks and create more quads, more music begins to play, allowing you to create your own “remix”. After assembling a quad, you have a chance to expand it by building on one of its edges before its meter fills.  It’s a bit like Lumines, except less trippy and more melow… man.

Actually, there is no doubt that Chime borrows from Lumines and Tetris could obviously be argued as well.  Yet, what’s truly remarkable about this game is how easy it is to enter a blissful and meditative type trance.  The ten available songs are lively, bright and peaceful – allowing you to play the game at your pace while feeling involved in the musical changes you create.

There are timed modes in which you can play a three, six or nine minute version of each song.  You can play the “Free” mode for ultimate relaxation where there is no time limit or score.  The openness in this game removes much of the stress felt in other puzzlers creating an experience quite different than what you would expect.

Probably the biggest change from the original Xbox Live version are the new multiplayer modes.  As one would expect, there is a co-op and a versus mode.  With co-op, 1-4 players work together to complete the grid quickly and earn a high score. Versus adds the element of taking your opponent’s coverage.   The goal is to complete the grid with more coverage than your competitors. Each player’s coverage is assigned a different color. The way to take or steal from another player is to form a quad on top of their coverage.  It’s quite gratifying to get away with a big “theft” and similarly deflating when you’re on the other end of it.  Unfortunately multiplayer is restricted to localized gaming (off of the same PS3).  Which means it makes a great party game but could have been better with online competition.

Quite frankly, Chime Super Deluxe is an engaging puzzle game even for those who are not fans of the genre.  Depending on how you play, it can make for a great relaxing meditative experience or serve as an addictive puzzle game.  While Chime Super Deluxe may retail for twice the price of the Xbox Live Original, the enhanced 3d visuals, new songs, boards and multiplayer modes seriously make it a price worth paying and a game worth playing.

Here’s The Rundown:

+ Great music
+ Easy to get involved and play at your own speed
+ Very relaxing

- Only 1o different songs

- Only local multiplayer

Chime: Super Deluxe was developed and published by Zoe Mode.  A PSN code was provided for the purposes of review.  Garrett got XXXX and played it until he passed out.