Game: Lumo 2
Genre: Action, Adventure, Puzzle, Platformer
System: Steam (Windows) (also on Nintendo Switch, Xbox and PlayStation)
Developer|Publisher: Triple Eh? Ltd | Numbskull Games
Controller Support: Yes
Steam Deck: Playable
Price: US $24.99 | UK £19.99 | EU € 24.99
Release Date: October 17th, 2025
Review code provided with many thanks to Keymailer.
Lumo 2 – Back to the (Micro) Future
You know those games that feel like they’ve stepped right out of the late ‘80s but somehow look and play perfectly modern? Lumo 2 is a glowing, lovingly crafted love letter to the microcomputer era of gaming. It’s quirky, creative, full of surprises, and, most importantly, it never forgets to have fun.
Developed by the small but mighty team behind the 2016 original, a game I actually enjoyed on the PS Vita, Lumo 2 builds on the retro framework of its predecessor while offering a far smoother, richer experience. Even if you’ve never played the first game, don’t worry, this sequel stands entirely on its own.
Sucked Into the Screen
The story is delightfully simple and just the right kind of weird. You play as a game developer who, after tinkering a little too much with their computer, gets sucked straight into the digital world and turned into a mysterious dark wizard. What follows is an isometric puzzle-platforming adventure through handcrafted rooms, each packed with traps, secrets, and brain-tickling challenges.
The game doesn’t waste time with tutorials or hand-holding. You’re simply dropped into the world and left to figure things out, much like the good old days. No “press X to jump” nonsense. Just you, your wits, and a sense of discovery.
Early on, all you can really do is move, jump, and glide. But as you progress, new abilities are introduced organically, a double jump here, a new puzzle mechanic there, without ever slowing the pace. It’s old-school design done right.
Puzzles, Platforms, and Pixel Nostalgia
Each room in Lumo 2 is a self-contained puzzle. Some focus on platforming, others on logic or timing. You might be flicking switches to open doors, dodging lasers, or figuring out how to trigger platforms in the correct sequence. Occasionally, you’ll need to revisit earlier rooms after unlocking a new ability, giving the game a subtle adventure structure that rewards exploration.
There’s a real sense of satisfaction in solving puzzles here because the game doesn’t tell you what to do. You experiment, you fail (a lot), and then you suddenly get it. And when that happens, it feels great.
The difficulty sits comfortably between cozy and challenging. You’ll die plenty of times, but deaths are quick and forgiving; you respawn instantly at the start of the room. It’s tough at times, but not stressful.
And for collectors, there’s plenty to chase: cassette tapes, hidden ducks (a returning treat from the first game), and other secrets tucked away for sharp-eyed players. None of it’s essential, but finding them gives you that warm retro dopamine hit.
A World Full of Surprises
One of Lumo 2’s best tricks is how often it changes things up. Just when you think you know the formula, it throws in a completely different perspective or gameplay style. One room might shift into a side-scrolling platformer; another might transform into a flying section or a mini arcade-style game.
These little surprises feel like love letters to classic games from the ‘80s, homages to the ZX Spectrum, Amiga, and Commodore days, without ever falling into parody. They keep the experience fresh and exciting.
Presentation and Feel
Visually, Lumo 2 embraces full 3D this time around, and it looks gorgeous. Environments range from sci-fi spaceships to dark castles, each with its own unique colour palette and style. The lighting effects are especially lovely, helping every room feel distinct and alive.
The soundtrack, meanwhile, is a beautiful blend of retro synths and modern ambient tones. It shifts naturally between upbeat and mysterious, perfectly matching the mood of each puzzle. It’s nostalgic yet soothing.
Performance-wise, it ran great on PC and smoothly on the Steam Deck too. The game is clearly designed for controller play (and insists on it), but the controls are responsive and feel natural once you get used to the isometric perspective.
Conclusion: Modern Retro Done Right
Lumo 2 is exactly the kind of game I love discovering, creative, cozy, and full of surprises. It celebrates an era of gaming that thrived on curiosity and imagination, while adding enough modern polish to make it feel fresh and accessible.
Sure, the isometric jumps might test your patience now and then, but with its instant respawns, charming presentation, and delightful nods to gaming’s past, those frustrations fade quickly.
If you’re looking for something that scratches that retro itch while offering a genuinely rewarding puzzle-platforming experience, Lumo 2 is a gem worth diving into, whether you’re a nostalgic veteran or a newcomer just looking for something a bit different.
Final Verdict: Two Thumbs Up
Do you like our content?
Subscribe to our daily news and never miss a review!