Over the past few years there has been an explosion in the rhythm games industry, thanks to titles such as Guitar Hero and Rock Band. With the rising popularity of such titles, musical peripherals have been flooding living rooms across the world. With the introduction of Nintendo's unique motion controls, the platform was set for a totally motion dependent rhythm game - and thus, Wii Music was born. What sets Wii Music apart from the competition is that you doesn't need to purchase extra peripherals - all you need is the wiimote and nunchuk, which simulate over 60 instruments ranging from the typical to the obscure (cowbell anyone?). So, to play an instrument you, more or less, just wield the controllers exactly how you would wield the actual instrument and viola. So much for practising a single instrument for years on end.
Though it was only released last year, Wii Music was first showcased as far back as 2005 along with the fledgling Wii Remote. It is a game that got my attention early on and I was disappointed that it got such a late Western release. As I finally played through it, I began to understand why. This game is clearly intended for Japanese people. Who else would spend their free time playing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" with instruments like galactic drums, sitars and toy pianos? Or while wearing a cheerleader outfit and fist-pumping your pom-poms into the air in time to the music?
Granted, there is a certain appeal to playing the drums on your wii, along with guitars, xylophones, banjos, castanets - you name it, it's there. And it IS a lot of fun. Especially if you've got some friends over and you're in the mood for a few laughs. I'm not sure about the merits of single-player mode though, even if I could imagine a lonely 40-year old salary man getting his kicks out of mewing along in a cat suit.
The game offers a tutorial mode and a free-play mode along with three minigames: Mii Maestro (conduct an orchestra with up to 4 players simultaneously), Pitch Perfect (identify the right pitches in order) and Handbell Harmony (you keep rhythm with your wiimote and nunchuk). As you progress through the modes, you unlock more complex songs, featuring several well-known classics and styles ranging from classical to jazz and rock.
If you just feel like a quick jam, you can select a track, up to four human players or three "tutes", which are CPU-controlled band members. Then you pick an instrument and play along to the song. You can keep recordings of your best pieces and even design a cover for your new music video.
The controls are very easy - almost a little too simplistic. While it's easy to start jamming away, you begin to find yourself wishing you could use your wiimote like a real drumstick, rather than being bound to limited movements and button combinations to hit the bass drum, snare drum and cymbals. Then again, Wii Music is meant to be a fun game that's easy for people, especially Japanese people, of all ages to pick up and play. I was delighted to find out that the game offers Wii Fit support - plug it in voila - suddenly your drum has pedals.
Gameplay-wise, you do tend to quickly feel like you've run out of options. Once the initial novelty has worn off, you find yourself yearning for more game modes.
Overall, I enjoyed Wii Music although I felt that the price was a little steep for an amusing little party game or children's game. Unless of course, you happen to be paying in Yen.
Simon Lotze
pc
playstation
wii
xbox
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