Music games have always seemed to get more attention on console versus the PC side of things. From Beatmania, Dance, Dance, Revolution, Guitar Freaks, Drum Mania, Pop’n Music in Japan to franchises like Guitar Hero, DJ Hero, and Rock Band in America. PC gamers typically got neglected for a release. While there are projects that are on a small scale like StepMania that give PC users a taste of the console side of things, it’s never quite the same.
Rhythm Zone struck my eye as something on the range of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, but with the ability to plug in your own music. I know that in the big brand games, they emphasize on the player buying songs from the in-game store and provide no ability to plug up your own tracks. If you have wondered “What would it be like to play Slayer’s song ‘Angel of Death’ in Guitar Hero?” then Rhythm Zone will be able to help you answer that question. Should you feel random, the game comes with some free songs as well as the future ability to buy new songs and song packs. The cool thing is that Sonic Boom Games is also looking for indie bands to make songs for the game to boot (as seen here).
The game is pretty basic. Multiple difficulties are available and ready to challenge the player. The harder ones add in things like bigger chords as well as more trippy visuals. If you like music games and want a challenge, the game certainly doesn’t disappoint on songs rich with song data. All of the colors and chords are all rendered from track data and the tracks are even verified by Last.FM. Songs that are a bit sparse on content will not make that good of a track to play versus ones rich in audio. The default control scheme isn’t bad either A/J is red, S/K is blue, D/L is green, F/; is yellow, and spacebar is the Focus Power key. This layout is very nice and even to allow maximum dexterity for catching notes.
For humor sake, Jarret provided me a Xbox 360 model wireless Guitar Hero guitar controller to try playing the game with it. I will say first off because there is no strumming, it feels odd to just be hitting the fret buttons to nail notes. Mind you, the game has 4 notes versus the 5 in the Guitar Hero franchise. It will work well for those who want their instrument in hand. I admit that it was quite funny to play the game with the controller. However, because the color scheme is different than Rhythm Zone, it takes some getting used to.
The basic mechanic of the game is pretty simple, hit the notes/chords on time and hold notes when they have an extended line behind them. The more notes you hit in a successive chain, the larger a score multiplier you can build. The Focus Power is charged by white notes in a song and when charged you are able to activate it to push your score up higher. The Focus Power also changes all notes for a short period of time to a golden color and the rail pattern changes into something like a circuit board. Of course when you hit the note buttons when the timing is off or blank, you lose your score multiplier and start from scratch.
There isn’t a local or net-play mode for multiplayer, it’s not really needed honestly. However, there are leaderboards and achievements if you have a competitive spirit. If you like trying to crush the competition for songs scores, number of songs added, and so forth the game will have you covered there.
There used to be an embeded media player here, but it doesn't work anymore. We blame the Tumbeasts.
Because this is an indie release Sonic Boom Games has been really receptive of bugs or issues gamers have had with it, they have responded on the Steam Community forums. In my mind, this gives the game bonus points for a developer that actually CARES for its buyers. They have also been quick to patch the game for bugs like some songs being unable to be analyzed for play to a few other minor things here and there. Also, as of July 26th, Sonic Boom Games is giving a Steam Guest Pass on purchase of the game. This being an awesome feature as you can get a buddy in on the game for a taste before they buy it!
I’d like to close the review and say that I think Rhythm Zone is a great purchase at its price point of $9.99 on the Steam Powered Store. The ability to plug in your own songs is wonderful and a welcome change to the nickel-and-dime-only options in the Guitar Hero and Rock Band series. Considering that the staff actually looks after its buyers is a great bonus; as you rarely find that in the world of major video games. I would also like to extend a personal “Thank You” to Matt McEnerney of Sonic Boom Games for promptly replying to my request for reviewing the game and providing me the opportunity to do so.
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[Rhythm Zone was provided to me for review courtesy of Sonic Boom Games. Game was played for about 2 hours of songs varying in genre and played both on a computer keyboard and a Guitar Hero wireless guitar. Images and video provided by Sonic Boom Games]
