Game Review: Rhythm Heaven

[insilhouette]

I got Rhythm Heaven for my DS yesterday, and although I've only gotten through the first 15 levels (out of 50), I liked it so much that I felt the need to write a review. Although I love RPGs with really deep storylines, I also have a lot of love for games that are purposefully minimalistic. Rhythm Heaven is as minimalistic conrol-wise as games go; everything is controlled by tapping quickly, tapping and holding, and flicking the stylus across the screen. The flicking is actually my main nitpick, because you have to flick the stylus extremely fast for it to count, and many times, even when I think I'm flicking fast enough, it doesn't register. Plus, I have lots of wrist problems from four years of hardcore handbells (which sounds wimpy, but repetitive wrist-flicking motions with heavy pieces of metal in both hands, often two in each hand, takes a toll) and my wrists get tired from the flicking really quickly. Only a few of the games so far don't include flicking, so I can't play for very long. However, I love the cute animations, the intuitive gameplay, and the variety of different games they were able to create with only a few controls. Other minimalistic games I've played, such as Warioware, tend to have only a few types of games (run and get the thing, push the button at the right time, and buttonmash) with just the graphics to create variety. However, Rhythm Heaven has a large variety of games, including mimicking patterns, listening for a cue, anticipating what the computer is going to do, and many other types of play. I was worried that like other minigame games, I would make my way through the games quickly and then get bored, but every level is challenging, and it takes me many plays to manage to beat a level, and even more to get a superior or a perfect. Therefore, it has a lot of replay value. Overall, I think Rhythm Heaven is a great game for music lovers, although people who have trouble clapping to the beat or off-beat will probably have a lot of trouble with the game. Definitely check it out!

Comments

[1582]

Thanks for this review! I got a chance to play it at my local GameStop and along with this review, it has convinced me to get it!
I am looking for a minigame game and this seems like it will last me a lot longer than the Hamtaro one I got~ And won't drive me crazy with the easiness XD

[emilienicole]

Sounds good.
I may just have to get it when I next have money.