Topic: IMPRESSIONS: Wii Music

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Horrible.
 http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/impressionsArt.cfm?artid=16419

 The headline abstract pretty much sums it up. Although a music game is indeed a great way to get the entire family to play together, Wii Music is not.    

Playing Wii Music consists of either flicking the remote and Nunchuk or pushing any button of your choice, depending on the instrument selected. The idea is to pantomime the instrument, playing a note whenever you feel like it. There is no scoring, grading, or any other sort of evaluation.    

If you time closely to your part in the song, you get something resembling the song you selected. But there's nothing preventing players from playing off the beat or when that part really shouldn't be playing. The end result is something that resembles "Twinkle, Twinkle" at best, and a collection of barnyard noises at the worst. Heck, some of the "instruments" aren't really instruments. Really? A dog suit? I cringed as I played with (and I use the term loosely) someone who selected what I can only describe as cheesy karate screams as the lead melody instrument for Super Mario Bros. Gag.    

Making a simple music game anyone can play isn't a horrible idea, but the gamer(s) of the family will refuse to play this abomination. I admit that I did not check out the drum trainer mode due to a lack of motivation, but the main mode of Wii Music is the worst gaming experience I've had at any E3. I never would have predicted a Nintendo-developed title could hold that dubious honor. Rock Band and Guitar Hero do a fine job of engaging the whole family; I only hope retail sales representatives across the country can convey this to would-be consumers.

[GregLover5000]

Ouch.

I've been trying to teach my 9-year-old some guitar, and 100 percent of the satisfaction for him is rising to the challenge and hitting the right notes at the right time (like playing the piano in Brain Age). I just do not see the appeal of this at all.

[blackfootsteps]

Haha, I don't think I'll be able to find a pole long enough to touch this with.

[Michael8983]

This is a title with HEAVY Miyamoto involvement.
I can almost guarantee it will end up being brilliant even if a single sitting with a dumbed down demo version is pretty horrible.

The scoring, grading, and evaluation will probably be in the finished product.
The game will almost certainly have a way of rewarding proper playing, it just won't beat you over the head every time you miss a note like other rhythm titles.

As for the "cheesy karate screams". Reminds me of the horrible alternative sound effects available in Donkey Konga. No one in their right mind uses them, and those who aren't in their right mind seem to enjoy them quite a bit.

[blackfootsteps]

The scoring, grading, and evaluation will probably be in the finished product.
The game will almost certainly have a way of rewarding proper playing, it just won't beat you over the head every time you miss a note like other rhythm titles.

Hmm, I don't know, with the everyone can play with smiles focus I'd expect: "You are all fantastic, have cookies, many cookies."

[SixthAngel]

I probably won't get this game but what is wrong with being able to choose cheesy karate screams?  Having fun with wacky things always increases my enjoyment.  It is why I always I played in a panda suit while killing terrorists in Ghost Squad revolution.

It is a game with no stated goal, just to have fun.  That itself goes far away from the current mold of games.  It isn't for anyone looking to be graded, scored or unlock content it is just to have some quick fun.  This game isn't for me but I can see people liking it.  As much as I like Guitar Hero, it and Rock Band are only for the whole family if everyone happens to like rock music, want to dedicate time to practice so they can pass the next level or even play the current one without it stopping halfway, and want to plop down a huge sum for all those instruments.  A lot of people don't.

[Plugabugz]

Wii Music is the new Wii Chess.

[Pale]

The scoring, grading, and evaluation will probably be in the finished product.
The game will almost certainly have a way of rewarding proper playing, it just won't beat you over the head every time you miss a note like other rhythm titles.

Hmm, I don't know, with the everyone can play with smiles focus I'd expect: "You are all fantastic, have cookies, many cookies."

No child gamer left behind, or ALL children gamers left behind?! You be the judge...

[D_Average]

Never thought I'd see a music game WORSE than "Battle of The Bands".

[Stogi]

You haven't...

You've only seen impressions of a music game. That's hardly SEEING at all.

I suppose this lackluster E3 coupled with the announcement of WiiMusic have put people, err scratch that, the HARDC0R3 in a cynical mood. This is still Nintendo....and more importantly, this is still MIYAMOTO. Where's the faith?

Name any game he has had full control over that sucked?

[D_Average]

You haven't...

You've only seen impressions of a music game. That's hardly SEEING at all.

I suppose this lackluster E3 coupled with the announcement of WiiMusic have put people, err scratch that, the HARDC0R3 in a cynical mood. This is still Nintendo....and more importantly, this is still MIYAMOTO. Where's the faith?

Name any game he has had full control over that sucked?

Given the fact that Nintendo was able to 1up the Rick Roll in one fail swoop is all the proof I need to cast judgement.  --> http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=RgRriCJARvU

[Stogi]

Yeah, a video that makes fun of potentially the coolest part of the game is certainly enough to pass judgment...

Are you purposely trying to look stupid?

[MegaByte]

I am interested in seeing if Disney's Ultimate Band somehow outdoes this game since it seems to encompass the same idea, but with currently-popular music.

[nickmitch]

You haven't...

You've only seen impressions of a music game. That's hardly SEEING at all.

I suppose this lackluster E3 coupled with the announcement of WiiMusic have put people, err scratch that, the HARDC0R3 in a cynical mood. This is still Nintendo....and more importantly, this is still MIYAMOTO. Where's the faith?

Name any game he has had full control over that sucked?

Given the fact that Nintendo was able to 1up the Rick Roll in one fail swoop is all the proof I need to cast judgement.  --> http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=RgRriCJARvU

I love how the tags on that include: "xxx, hot, horny, teen."

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Look, maybe there's a lot more to this game than the E3 demo suggests. However, Nintendo's presentation of responses to questions about the game suggest what I played is representative of the final product. Blind optimism because Miyamoto is involved doesn't seem wise.

I don't think that having karate screams is necessarily a bad thing. The point is that it isn't incorporated in any sort of coherent fashion. Selecting the lead melody part, then assigning karate screams (which have pitch, but aren't really notes) as the instrument, does not make sense.

[Stogi]

Blind optimism because Miyamoto is involved doesn't seem wise.

It's hardly blind optimism when you consider his track record. It's like saying Martin Scorsese's next film is going to suck because the trailer was about a blind man. What's even more preposterous is that Miyamoto is working with a far greater system than anyone one of its kind. He's been given a laser cutter in place of his old pick axe.

So no, it's not "blind optimism." It's respect and admiration for a genius in our time.

And you have still to name a videogame he has made that has sucked. All I need is one.......just one.......

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Miyamoto oversees many, many video games that Nintendo makes. Unfortunately, Nintendo is usually vague about how much involvement Miyamoto has in any given title, and it's easy to point the blame on someone else when something goes wrong. After all, he hasn't been credited as Director in years.

There are Nintendo third party-developed titles that he has overseen which have been sub-par, but that wouldn't really answer your call.  Personally, I thought Nintendogs was trash, and he was General Producer for that, but you may not care for that example. Yoshi's Story? He was a supervisor on that. Perhaps my best example is his role as GP for the Pokemon Channel.

You're right, I don't have any really definitive examples. But frankly, it's unrealistic to think that even the best game designer will always make a winner. All I know for sure is that what I played was horrible and many others who played it agree with me. And guess what: that's what game impressions are all about--what the writer played. There better be a lot more to the game when I see it in stores if Nintendo wants me to change my tune.

[Stogi]

Fair enough. The demo (and game) may not be for you. I'm just seriously pissed off by the lack of tolerance people have with the game. WiiTard Music; RaviRolling; WTF?

This man brought us Mario Galaxy; the greatest reinvention of a series since OOT (which is his to credit as well). It's a little too early to be dismissing it outright.

I've been looking forward to this game since the Wii was known as the revolution; no one will be more disappointed by it's lack of fun and appeal than I. But even I have patience...

Plus what game could be so "Horrible" if this is one of the options of gameplay?
 
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6bilS8W3HKM

[IceCold]

Personally, I thought Nintendogs was trash, and he was General Producer for that, but you may not care for that example. Yoshi's Story? He was a supervisor on that.

Yoshi's Story was the first EAD game which was not produced or directed by Miyamoto. He basically had no involvement in it.. and it showed.

[wandering]

The game's sounding good to me. Everyone's complaining it doesn't allow failure, but that isn't true. According to these impressions, you can play badly. Yes, the game doesn't evaluate your playing, but what's wrong with that? You and your friends can judge yourselves - just like you do when you sing karaoke or freestyle rap. Why would you want it any different? A computer can't tell good sounding music from bad.

[Ian Sane]

I'm trying to think of a game that totally bombed with critics at E3 that later went on to be a really cool game.  I can think of one: Halo.  Metroid Prime was a little iffy because of all the drama going on at Retro but I recall the initial impressions of the playable game being positive; it was the first person reveal that was causing skepticism.  But a complete turn around from total crap to classic is rare.  I remember Luigi's Mansion was criticized for being too short and lacking replay value at E3 and in the end that was exactly what the final game was.  That was Nintendo and was EAD.

I figure if Wii Music really was much more than this Nintendo would be quick to point it out.  I figure they would see the negative reactions and react to it.  I figure if this wasn't it Nintendo wouldn't want to show off a game so unfinished.  No one wants to bomb at E3.  No one wants to show off a new product and have it get sh!t on immediately.  No one would show off this joke of a game "mode" if they had something better in mind for the final product.

This is Wii Music and Nintendo is proud of it.  They wouldn't be so anxious to show it off and focus on it so much if this was just part of something bigger.  Hell they're emphasizing no skill being required.

For me Jonny's impressions are enough proof for me that this is Nintendo's E.T.  I trust NWR's judgment and they've been unbiased in the past.  If this was a true gem being unfairly slagged by observers who haven't got a chance to play it, NWR would defend it.

[Kairon]

The game's sounding good to me. Everyone's complaining it doesn't allow failure, but that isn't true. According to these impressions, you can play badly. Yes, the game doesn't evaluate your playing, but what's wrong with that? You and your friends can judge yourselves - just like you do when you sing karaoke or freestyle rap. Why would you want it any different? A computer can't tell good sounding music from bad.

Hmm... sounds like I need to write-up my impressions...

[TheYoungerPlumber]

Ian, I'll take it as a compliment that you thought these imps were Jonny's

[Ian Sane]

Ooops.  You're right.  Sorry.  Why did I think TYP was Jonny?  Anyway I still trust NWR's opinion.

[Stogi]

The game's sounding good to me. Everyone's complaining it doesn't allow failure, but that isn't true. According to these impressions, you can play badly. Yes, the game doesn't evaluate your playing, but what's wrong with that? You and your friends can judge yourselves - just like you do when you sing karaoke or freestyle rap. Why would you want it any different? A computer can't tell good sounding music from bad.

Hmm... sounds like I need to write-up my impressions...

I'd love to hear them