is a

puzzle video game Puzzle video games make up a broad genre of video games that emphasize puzzle solving. The types of puzzles can test problem-solving skills, including logic, pattern recognition, sequence solving, spatial recognition, and word completion. H ...

released as a flash game for the

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. Later, it was ported to the

Nintendo DS The is a handheld game console produced by Nintendo, released globally across 2004 and 2005. The DS, an initialism for "Developers' System" or "Dual Screen", introduced distinctive new features to handheld games: two LCD screens working in tan ...

console and the

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. The game involves players manipulating a grid of "yosumin", or tiles to make color matches and eliminate a certain number before time runs out. Developed and published in Japan by

Square Enix is a Japanese Multinational corporation, multinational holding company, production enterprise and entertainment conglomerate, best known for its ''Final Fantasy'', ''Dragon Quest'', ''Star Ocean'' and ''Kingdom Hearts'' role-playing video game ...

, the game was created to and brought to other platforms in an effort to expand their game portfolio and attract more casual players. The game has received mixed reviews, with some noting its originality and addictive gameplay, and others noting the game's limited nature.

Gameplay

In ''Yosumin!'', the player tries to select rectangular regions in a grid of tiles that have the same type of yosumin at all four corners. The player has a target goal of the number of rectangles with yosumin of specific types that must be removed, and has a time limit. The larger the rectangle selected, the greater the number of points the player receives. Special yosumin are sometimes included, which when removed can give extra time or points. Later in the game another type of yosumin is added which can be moved, allowing the player to create rectangles of larger size. In multiplayer mode, two players face off in a larger grid. Creating rectangles can remove time from the opponent's timer, and specific yosumin which are selected before the game begins perform other moves such as stunning the opposing player. Wireless

two-player A multiplayer video game is a video game in which more than one person can play in the same game environment at the same time, either locally on the same computing system (couch co-op), on different computing systems via a local area network, or ...

competitive mode is playable through game sharing on the

with a single

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. Enhancements included new block types such as a block that rearranges the boards layout.

Development

''Yosumin!'' was originally a free browser-based game. The game was showcased in playable form at the

Tokyo Game Show , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in September in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. The ...

2007. It was shown to be an enhanced

port A port is a maritime facility comprising one or more wharves or loading areas, where ships load and discharge cargo and passengers. Although usually situated on a sea coast or estuary, ports can also be found far inland, such as Ham ...

of the original ''Yosumin''

browser game A browser game or a "flash game" is a video game that is played via the internet using a web browser. They are mostly free-to-play and can be single-player or multiplayer. Some browser games are also available as mobile apps, PC games, or on c ...

released by Square Enix on the

@nifty Nifty Corporation, stylized as and , is one of the leading internet service providers in Japan, and a subsidiary of Fujitsu. The company was the largest online service provider An online service provider (OSP) can, for example, be an Internet ...

network. This was confirmed to be part of publisher Square Enix's effort to expand their fan base internationally and across more types of players and genres, including more casual games. The game was available at Japanese Nintendo DS demo stations in November 2007. In November 2008 Square Enix trademarked ''Yosumin!'' In the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. On January 26, 2009 Square Enix announced plans to release ''Yosumin!'' on the

Xbox Live Arcade Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) is a digital video game download service available through the Xbox Games Store, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360. It focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent ...

as part of an initiative to put more games on Xbox's games service. On May 26, 2009, ''Yosumin!'' was released over the digital distribution service

Steam Steam is a substance containing water in the gas phase, and sometimes also an aerosol of liquid water droplets, or air. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization ...

, and the following day was released on

as ''Yosumin! Live''.

Reception

The Xbox Live Arcade version had minimal popularity, with fewer than 4,500 players on the game's leader-board. Gamasutra cited the Japanese name and a high price as reasons for the game's low popularity. ''

IGN ''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...

'' liked the PC version of the game, noting the loss of the Xbox Live Arcade multi-player but complimenting the expanded single player mode.

UGO Ugo is the Italian form of Hugh, a widely used name of Germanic origin. Its diminutive form is Ugolino. It is also a Nigerian Igbo first name. It may refer to: People * Vgo (stonemason), medieval stonemason * Ugo Bassi, a Roman Catholic priest ...

called the game its top sixth "Casual Games for Real Gamers", calling it fun and easy to learn.

References

External links

Official ''Yosumin DS'' site
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yosumin Ds 2007 video games Browser games Flash games Yosumin! Live Nintendo DS games Puzzle video games Square Enix games Video games developed in Japan Windows games