Beat down the Cacophony in this Rhythm Heaven-like game.
Nintendo fans will recognize Beat City the moment they see the game's rhythm-based gameplay. THQ's recent release is extremely reminiscent of last year's Rhythm Heaven. Beat City is made up of 20 mini-games that test your ability to tap and slide on the touch screen to different aural and visual clues.
The setup is simple: you play as the Synchronizer, the leader of the rhythm revolution, as he fights against the Cacophony, a nefarious group that is plunging the world into a boring, colorless void. To combat the evil gang, you have to bring color and music back to the world by completing numerous challenges.
The main mode in Beat City is Beat Revolution, in which you go through a month-long calendar where you have to complete two-to-four mini-games a day. With only 20 mini-games, you repeat them quite often, but they get more difficult as you progress, changing up slightly. The games all have a silly sense of humor, another aspect of the game that is evocative of Rhythm Heaven. For example, in one mini-game you have to keep a line of businessman at ease while they wait in line for the bathroom. In another, you're shaping the hair of long and spiky-haired kids into green afros and pink pompadours. The games also evolve as you progress through the level. In the hairstyling mini-game, the kids gain little crowns on top of their green afros as you perform better.
The music, an important part of any rhythm game, is adequately catchy. It's easy enough to follow along with each song, and interesting enough to stay fun throughout the repetition of each scene. Like other aspects of the mini-games, the music evolves as you do well.
The only other option in Beat City is to play the mini-games separately for high scores. The reward for doing well in the mini-games is entries in the Beat Album, which shed more light on the citizens of Beat City.
The game is short, and it won't take much time at all to complete. What Beat City lacks in length, it makes up for with fun, rhythm-based gameplay and a silly sense of humor. If you enjoyed Rhythm Heaven, you'll enjoy Beat City. It's as simple as that.
