Sony launched its June 2025 State of Play with the unexpected reveal of Lumines Arise, a new title from Tetris Effect creator Tetsuya Mizuguchi.
The game is scheduled for a fall 2025 release on PlayStation 5 and PS VR2, with a demo arriving this summer. Watch the debut trailer right here:
In a PlayStation Blog post, Enhance Director Takashi Ishihara explained that Lumines Arise is a ground-up successor to the acclaimed Lumines puzzle series, which debuted on PlayStation Portable 20 years ago. The game also offers optional PS VR2 compatibility.
"Lumines Arise on PlayStation 5 with optional PS VR2 support is more than just a standard puzzle game—we're aiming to evoke a powerful emotional response," said Ishihara.
"Players begin in darkness—as glimpsed in the reveal trailer—and each of the over 30 stages is designed to trigger a distinct and complex feeling. You’ll journey through lush jungles, vibrant underwater worlds, serpent-filled landscapes, and more digital realms like Tokyo’s busy streets and the infinite void of outer space. All are visually crafted to inspire synesthesia.
"The core gameplay feels simple at first. Newcomers to the series will learn to rotate and place 2×2 blocks containing one or two colors, grouping them into single-color squares. A Timeline sweeps rhythmically across the screen, erasing completed squares to the beat of the soundtrack. This creates a subtle sense of urgency, encouraging you to build bigger combos and score more points.
"As you chase combo chains and keep pace with the moving Timeline, you'll feel the DualSense controller respond with haptic feedback. Music envelops you, the visuals pull you deeper, and soon you’re in a state of flow—your world disappears, your pulse quickens, your breathing stills."
Missed the event? Catch up with all the announcements from Sony’s June 2025 State of Play showcase.
