Review: Lux-Pain is a new form of interactive storytelling
Lux-Pain is a glimmer of what the future of interactive storytelling could be. The game is more like an interactive novel than an actual action game. However, the twists and turns in the story may leave you dizzy but satisfied in a bizarre way.
I have to say that I am a huge anime geek. I consume anime in the same way I play games. Video games that are fashioned after the anime genre such as the Persona series have always interested me. That is why I was excited to get a chance to play my review copy of Lux-Pain for the DS.
Story
The story to the game is far out there. It involves a mysterious infection that is causing everyone to act out violently. The infections are caused by a parasitic entity called the Silent which look like worms. The story starts with the main character Atsuki Saijo an average high-school teen bent on solving the mystery of his parent’s murder.
The infectious parasite called Silent can cause people to kill. The story is fairly graphic as murder and suicide is a recurring theme throughout the game. Atsuki goes through a controversial procedure that implants the Lux-Pain on his arm at the risk of death. Lux-Pain grants him the power to see where these Silents are as well as destroy them. Along Atsuki’s journey he encounter’s an organization called FORT that is also bent on fighting the Silent.
If you are an anime fan then you will definitely enjoy the story. There is even a deep love story within the game as you plod through the high-school sim part of the game. There is a degree if interactivity as you can give your response or emotion to the NPC as you interact with various characters.
Visuals/Design
The FMV in-between the game scenes are beautifully drawn. At times it felt like I was watching an anime episode rather than playing a game. There is very little action involved in the game as it is mainly a huge “choose your adventure story.” There is a bit of worm hunting element as you scratch the touch screen with the stylus to uncover the Silent. However, gamers shouldn’t expect a full blown RPG experience like Persona.
There seems to be some localization issue with the text matching up with the voice, but the top notch voice acting makes up for it. This is actually a common occurrence with animes, as voice actors are given a small degree of flexibility.
Wrap-up
Overall the story in Lux-Pain leaves me wanting more. I can actually see a studio such as Sunrise (Cowboy Bebop) creating an anime series out of the game. Gamers looking for an action game will be extremely disappointed as there is barley any actual gameplay. However, if gamers go in playing Lux-Pain with the mind-set that the game is more of an interactive anime novel, then they should find it a bit more enjoyable.
Score:
3.5/5
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27 Responses to “Review: Lux-Pain is a new form of interactive storytelling”
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April 5th, 2009
What ever happened to those weird Japanese games you used to see loads of for the ps2? They’re not really around this generation
April 5th, 2009
They are in Japan.
April 5th, 2009
Care to name a few? Or was that just an incredibly funny joke…..Japanese games are in Japan. Classic!
April 5th, 2009
These “weird Japanese games” that we supposedly saw loads of probably didn’t do very well in the Western world, hence why they now just release them in Japan.
Go and look at your favourite website vgchartz.com/japweekly.php and browse through all these weird games over the past couple of years, the majority of which have only ever been released in Japan.
Because while you might to play Harukanaru Toki no Naka de Yumenoukihashi Special (PS2), I can’t imagine many in the Western world would.
April 5th, 2009
A lot of those games had great atmosphere. I can’t see the harm in releasing a few over here. Western games aren’t exactly doing it for ps3rd these days anyway.
April 5th, 2009
really… a DS game?… i was hoping for sing star queen or something…
April 6th, 2009
I know that M$ has paid for exclusive time releases on quite a few JRPGs this gen. It’s obviously an attempt to try to help the 360 sell better in Japan. M$ wheels out money to screw Sony fans again. The funny thing is instead of making me want a 360 it has the opposite effect on me.
April 6th, 2009
This review has nothing to do with Microsoft…..nor does it have anything to do with the PS3. Your petty little rant does not align itself with any of the subject matter.
April 6th, 2009
Heah Harry it looks like Barnabe is a complete idiot because the article is about a DS Game. Get a life Barnabe and stop the flaming. If Mike can do it for 1 article so can you.
April 6th, 2009
What’s that got to do with what I said barnabe?
April 6th, 2009
Does anyone over the age of 12 really care about the DS?
-Arvis
April 6th, 2009
Um.. read the comment above mine (”weird Japanese games”). Talk about not being relevant.
April 6th, 2009
FF IV was amazing. I’m a few more minutes from the ending battle. I still need to check out FF III at some point, Zelda, and there’s Chrono Cross, and many others. So yes – the DS has it’s share of good games.
I picked up FF Tactics over the weekend. I need to spend a bit more time before I can really form an opinion, but so far I like it. It’s basically traditional turn base battles, but with the addition of movement. The game is incredibly deep and has a slight learning curve.
April 6th, 2009
Barababe this article is about a japanese game and I was asking why there wasn’t enough on current consoles.
You were flaming. Bit of a difference
April 6th, 2009
still it was relevant to the topic at hand. JRPGs are Japanese games by definition…
At any rate, I’ll agree that there are not enough this gen.
April 6th, 2009
“A lot of those games had great atmosphere. I can’t see the harm in releasing a few over here. Western games aren’t exactly doing it for ps3rd these days anyway.”
CON..
just shut up..
you use a DS review post to flame the ps3 and then somehow have the audacity to try and turn this around and make BJ look like the ass.
you sir fail……
April 6th, 2009
What’s wrong with that statement? It’s true
April 6th, 2009
So is the fact that 360 RRoD’s alot. But lots of 360 fanboys don’t really like it now do they.
Like I could say, CON, you have a small penis. Now, if that were true, wouldn’t you be alittle ticked off.
But its OK. I’m sure you hve a fucking woman splitting whopper.
April 6th, 2009
Con
They’re just pissed that you used PS3rd even though your comment was in support of the PS3rd.
April 6th, 2009
But really guys don’t get on CON when Barnabe’s comment was an even stupider response to CON’s comment.
April 6th, 2009
Oh fuck I didn’t even realise that’s what they were crying about. I meant that statement was true about western games not selling so why not bring a few Japanese games back which I still stand by.
Although it’s great to see how all you ps3rd fanboys rush behind a tit flamer like barnabe and turn it round on the evil m$ rroder
April 6th, 2009
Yep, Barnabee’s response was assinine, and for anyone to defend him over what CON says need a strong kick in the vagina.
April 7th, 2009
It’s ok Harry I accept your apology.
April 7th, 2009
What apology?
April 7th, 2009
*ignoring pointless argument…starting new one*
For the record, Barnabe, most of those games you listed are on the PS1. The DS is still pointless and stupid, just like it has always been.
Of course, I’ve always thought handheld gaming, in general, is largely pointless and stupid. *sighs in the general direction of his PSP*
-Arvis
April 7th, 2009
I have both the PSP and DS. Between the two I’ll have cheap used games to play for a very long time. Both systems do have more than there fair share of remakes/ports, but they have also had some great new games.
April 7th, 2009
I’m looking forward to Dissidia…… but I can’t think of anything else interesting coming for the handhelds. Valkyrie Profile would be interesting were it not on the DS. I would rather buy FIVE 360s before I bought a single used DS for anything more than $40.
-Arvis