Topic: Rhythm Heaven Fever Preview

[NWR_pap64]

Together now!

http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/preview/28987

Gloria Estefan once said the rhythm was going to get us. Years later, her musical prophecy came true with the invention of Nintendo's Rhythm Heaven series. Popular in Japan, Rhythm Heaven is a unique take on the rhythm gameplay concept. While most rhythm games have players hitting a variety of notes, Rhythm Heaven is all about timing; each musical segment has you performing a task assigned to a specific beat in the song. The easy to learn yet hard to master style of gameplay made the series a darling in Japan, thanks to releases on the Game Boy Advance and in arcades, but it never made the trip overseas. That changed in 2009 when Nintendo localized Rhythm Heaven for the DS. Nintendo had high hopes for it, and now they look to catch lighting in a bottle again with Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Wii.

For the most part, the game retains the design established in previous titles. Based on their overall performance, players will receive different ranks. This time around, some of the song segments include an amusing interview with a professional wrestler (which has become an internet meme since its Japanese release), two pilots playing a game of badminton in the skies, a young couple on a date, and a samurai slashing demons away as they enter our world. In total, there will be 50-plus all-new rhythm scenes to play through. Much like the DS version, Rhythm Heaven Fever will feature remixed versions of the stages, including some that blend all the songs into one long and challenging melody.

In terms of controls, the DS version used the touch screen, with the DS held book-style. There was worry that Fever would rely on motion controls, which could take away some of the precision required to fully complete the game’s challenges. Fortunately, the Wii version will use the Wii Remote's buttons for a tighter gameplay experience. Rhythm Heaven Fever will also include a two-player mode, a feature new to the franchise save the arcade version.

The DS Rhythm Heaven game was heavily praised for its simple concept and stellar execution, charming presentation, and very catchy music. The Wii version looks to take all of that and present it on a much grander scale. With more songs, more modes, and the same addictive gameplay as previous games in the series, Rhythm Heaven Fever will be rocking the Wii on February 13, 2012.

[Killer_Man_Jaro]

I'm eager to get my hands on this, even if it is under the name of Beat The Beat: Rhythm Paradise in Europe.

I think Rhythm Heaven is a good representation of where the rhythm genre of games should be headed. There was a lot of talk about the genre going well beyond saturation point, and with both Guitar Hero and Rock Band now defunct, it seems that rang true even for those making them. I don't think there's anything intrinsically wrong with how those two franchises play, but they're really quite soulless and, in my opinion, too mechanical. Rhythm Heaven, on the other hand, has so much more personality, as well as variety, for that matter.

Fortunately, it seems that it is starting to influence a few other games. For 2012, we've got both Rhythm Thief R and Final Fantasy Theatrhythm coming to 3DS. These are the kind of rhythm titles that I want - the kind that offers gameplay where you're not playing a song so much as you are doing something to the beat of a song.