Post by Gilvan Blight on Nov 5, 2007 11:52:22 GMT -5
Quickly: a rather fun rhythm game that's extremely easy to pick up and play.
[glow=blue,2,300]Summary:[/glow]
Boogie is a rhythm game. Typical of all rhythm games this means that you do something with a controller in tune and beat to music. What makes Boogie different from many others in this genre is the combination of two different types of input and the fact you don't play any instrument. What you do is sing and dance.
The dancing happens by swinging the Wiimote around in time with the music. Swinging the wiimote either up, down left or right causes your avatar to pull off a variety of dance moves. What's interesting is that it actually doesn't matter which way you move that wiimote (until using boogie power). This generally ends up with you dancing in front of your TV waving your arm around this way and that in tune to the music.
Get enough moves in a row timed right and you build the boogie meter. Once you have enough boogie you hold down the Z button. A pattern of moves shows up on the screen and if you can match the motion, while staying in beat your toon will perform a super dance move.
This dancing is combined with using the control pad to move around the dance floor and pick up power ups that show up now and then.
In every song there is also a Solo section, where you are required to sing along with the music. Unfortunately I rented this and it didn't come with the Mic so I can't say how good or bad that function works.
Along with the Dancing there are is also a Karaoke mode. This I couldn't try out for the same reason mentioned above. It was noted in the tutorial that it was based on hitting the right Key at the right time.
The game has a variety of modes. There is the story mode, where you alternate between dance mode and karaoke mode learning the stories of each character. There is the karaoke mode where you can play for points and high scores. There is the dance mode where you can dance for points and high scores. There is the party mode, where you can do two player competitive play. There is a shopping mode where you can buy a wide variety of unlockables including costumes, venues and new songs. There is also the Music Video mode, where you can make a video of any dance/song routine you have just completed. This is amusing as it allows for camera cuts and a wide variety of special effects. You can even share your videos online.
For all but the story mode you need to create a character. This is done by picking one of the very odd alien looking characters and picking from a variety of colour and clothing options. As you play you unlock more options as well. I think there were 6 characters in total but my memory may be lacking.
If you play with a nunchuck there is a bonus pose system added in. This is an odd thing where everything slows down and you try to use the nunchuck to control your characters head and have them look at bullseye that appear on the screen. At the same time you can tap the C button to the beat to make it look like your toon is singing. It's very odd and a little hard to do.
[glow=green,2,300]The Good:[/glow]
Very easy to get into. You pick it up and by the second half of the first song you've pretty much figured out how to play. It's a lot more forgiving (at least on the easy levels) then other rhythm games. The graphics are creepy cute and a lot of fun. Sadly I had a ton of fun making my pimped out ninja dude character. The amount of music is pretty impressive, I didn't' count the number of songs but it seemed like more then your average game. This game reminds me of DDR without the insane difficulty and physical stress. It's a lot simpler, but a ton of fun.
[glow=yellow,2,300]The Bad:[/glow]
The only multi-player is competitive. I would have preferred some form of pass off system, or a way to go through story mode with two characters. Or even a co-op dance off without the power ups that hinder the opponents. Without a Mic you miss half the game. Now I think the game ships with one, but when you rent like I did you will feel left out.
[glow=red,2,300]The Ugly:[/glow]
The music. This is a dancing game so expect some of the worst of the worst. Think Electric Circus. Think more then one Britney Spears Song. Now mixed with that is some good old funk, like Brick House and Jackson 5, but overall you will be putting up with some pretty dancy stuff. Now if you like that stuff, toss this comment up with The Good. Saying all that, I have to admit that the music fits the game though. I don't mind hearing it when playing a game it fits in, though having "Is your Girlfriend a Freak Like Me" stuck in my head all day really sucks.
[glow=purple,2,300]Overall:[/glow]
I've had quite a bit of fun with this rental. I really wish I had gotten to try out the Mic and singing functions. Right now this one lands on my 'maybe purchase' list. I'm thinking about it, but not too sure. This usually means if I find it on sale I will pick it up, if I have spare cash at some point, I may just pick it up full price. It's a fun diversion. I suggest it for fans of Rhythm games, especially those of us without the co-ordination or physical fitness for DDR
[glow=blue,2,300]Summary:[/glow]
Boogie is a rhythm game. Typical of all rhythm games this means that you do something with a controller in tune and beat to music. What makes Boogie different from many others in this genre is the combination of two different types of input and the fact you don't play any instrument. What you do is sing and dance.
The dancing happens by swinging the Wiimote around in time with the music. Swinging the wiimote either up, down left or right causes your avatar to pull off a variety of dance moves. What's interesting is that it actually doesn't matter which way you move that wiimote (until using boogie power). This generally ends up with you dancing in front of your TV waving your arm around this way and that in tune to the music.
Get enough moves in a row timed right and you build the boogie meter. Once you have enough boogie you hold down the Z button. A pattern of moves shows up on the screen and if you can match the motion, while staying in beat your toon will perform a super dance move.
This dancing is combined with using the control pad to move around the dance floor and pick up power ups that show up now and then.
In every song there is also a Solo section, where you are required to sing along with the music. Unfortunately I rented this and it didn't come with the Mic so I can't say how good or bad that function works.
Along with the Dancing there are is also a Karaoke mode. This I couldn't try out for the same reason mentioned above. It was noted in the tutorial that it was based on hitting the right Key at the right time.
The game has a variety of modes. There is the story mode, where you alternate between dance mode and karaoke mode learning the stories of each character. There is the karaoke mode where you can play for points and high scores. There is the dance mode where you can dance for points and high scores. There is the party mode, where you can do two player competitive play. There is a shopping mode where you can buy a wide variety of unlockables including costumes, venues and new songs. There is also the Music Video mode, where you can make a video of any dance/song routine you have just completed. This is amusing as it allows for camera cuts and a wide variety of special effects. You can even share your videos online.
For all but the story mode you need to create a character. This is done by picking one of the very odd alien looking characters and picking from a variety of colour and clothing options. As you play you unlock more options as well. I think there were 6 characters in total but my memory may be lacking.
If you play with a nunchuck there is a bonus pose system added in. This is an odd thing where everything slows down and you try to use the nunchuck to control your characters head and have them look at bullseye that appear on the screen. At the same time you can tap the C button to the beat to make it look like your toon is singing. It's very odd and a little hard to do.
[glow=green,2,300]The Good:[/glow]
Very easy to get into. You pick it up and by the second half of the first song you've pretty much figured out how to play. It's a lot more forgiving (at least on the easy levels) then other rhythm games. The graphics are creepy cute and a lot of fun. Sadly I had a ton of fun making my pimped out ninja dude character. The amount of music is pretty impressive, I didn't' count the number of songs but it seemed like more then your average game. This game reminds me of DDR without the insane difficulty and physical stress. It's a lot simpler, but a ton of fun.
[glow=yellow,2,300]The Bad:[/glow]
The only multi-player is competitive. I would have preferred some form of pass off system, or a way to go through story mode with two characters. Or even a co-op dance off without the power ups that hinder the opponents. Without a Mic you miss half the game. Now I think the game ships with one, but when you rent like I did you will feel left out.
[glow=red,2,300]The Ugly:[/glow]
The music. This is a dancing game so expect some of the worst of the worst. Think Electric Circus. Think more then one Britney Spears Song. Now mixed with that is some good old funk, like Brick House and Jackson 5, but overall you will be putting up with some pretty dancy stuff. Now if you like that stuff, toss this comment up with The Good. Saying all that, I have to admit that the music fits the game though. I don't mind hearing it when playing a game it fits in, though having "Is your Girlfriend a Freak Like Me" stuck in my head all day really sucks.
[glow=purple,2,300]Overall:[/glow]
I've had quite a bit of fun with this rental. I really wish I had gotten to try out the Mic and singing functions. Right now this one lands on my 'maybe purchase' list. I'm thinking about it, but not too sure. This usually means if I find it on sale I will pick it up, if I have spare cash at some point, I may just pick it up full price. It's a fun diversion. I suggest it for fans of Rhythm games, especially those of us without the co-ordination or physical fitness for DDR