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DS

North America

Feel the Magic: XY/XX

by Mike Sklens - November 25, 2004, 9:27 am EST

8.5

RUB IT!

Nintendo has promised lots of innovative new games on the their new DS system. Ironically, the only company to deliver on this statement 100% is Sega. Sonic Team’s Feel the Magic: XY/XX is easily the most oddball title available for the system’s launch, and probably for a good deal of time post-launch. How’s this for a premise? You play a young man who happens upon a very pretty girl. It would be far too easy to just say hi and ask her out, so instead our hero decides to impress the girl by wowing her with his assorted skills. In short, Feel the Magic is a game about mini-games.

Lover-boy joins the super performance group known as the "Rub Rabbits". The group helps him by informing him of various tasks he can do to impress his muse. Most "scenes" early on in the game are comprised of three different mini-games. Completing different games will yield varying amounts of love points. Filling up the love meter to 100 points through any combination of mini-games will advance the game to the next scene. It’s nice to be able to pick your game. This simple feature can remove lots and lots of frustration.

At least, it can remove the frustrations from the early parts of the game. Later on the choices fade away as the games become more integral to the overall story. Yes, that’s right, Feel the Magic has a story. In fact, the story is actually one of the more endearing features of this zany game. As with the rest of the game, it’s presented in a pseudo-cel-shaded style using silhouette characters. Only their clothes and hair are colored, and with flat colors at that. There are a handful of video sequences, but for the most part the story is presented through a comic style. Each scene features short bits that show up panel-by-panel and explain the situation at hand. There are tons of them, and most are pretty funny.

Feel the Magic makes use of almost every single feature the DS has built into it. The only exclusion is a multiplayer mode. Every game uses the touch screen for control. The D-Pad and buttons are not used at all. There are all sorts of mini-games. A few examples include spray-painting graffiti, driving a car, and digging for treasures in the sand. There are even a few games that make use of the microphone. You will draw glances when you have to yell into the microphone to get your one and only love to notice you over the din of a marching band.

Fun is the simplest word to describe Feel the Magic. You will not find a more zany, unique, and varied game available. The story, graphical style, and games blend together to create a truly one of a kind experience. If you’re looking for a game that will use the most of your brand new DS’s features, Feel the Magic is an obvious choice. This game proves that with this new system come all sorts of new possibilities.

Score

Graphics Sound Control Gameplay Lastability Final
8.5 7 9 9 4 8.5
Graphics
8.5

The wow factor here is not in polygons or effects. Instead, the game impresses with its artistic style. The silhouettes are original and the way they are drawn or animated is often very funny.

Sound
7

The game is loaded with sound effects, but the number of songs is fairly limited. What’s there is filled with a J-Pop influence and is quite catchy. A sound test option makes for some funny sound effect combinations.

Control
9

For the most part, the touch screen is the only control mechanism in this game, with the occasional microphone game. The accuracy is very good most of the time. One or two games require tons of accuracy.

Gameplay
9

Feel the Magic is an experience to behold. The laundry list of tasks that must be performed is amazingly varied. The game stays fun and zany throughout the adventure. It’s simply one of the most original and fun games available today.

Lastability
4

The game’s one big down side is its length. A dedicated player will beat it in one (short) marathon sitting. The adventure clocks in around five hours. A couple extras such as unlockable outfits, a sound test, and hard mode will keep the title fresh for just a little bit longer.

Final
8.5

Players looking to get the most out of their DS’ varied abilities should definitely pick up Feel the Magic. Fans of Nintendo’s own Wario Ware series simply cannot miss this game. It’s an excellent game with a fun and charming story tying everything together in one neat little postage stamp-sized package.

Summary

Pros
  • Crazy-fun minigames
  • Endearing and silly story
  • Original and artistic style
Cons
  • A couple very hard games
  • Overall short length
Review Page 2: Conclusion

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Feel the Magic: XY/XX Box Art

Genre Simulation
Developer Sega
Players1

Worldwide Releases

na: Feel the Magic: XY/XX
Release Nov 20, 2004
PublisherSega
RatingTeen
jpn: Kimi no Tame Nara Shineru
Release Dec 02, 2004
PublisherSega
aus: Project Rub
Release Feb 24, 2005
PublisherNintendo
RatingParental Guidance

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