I have reviewed a fair amount of DSiWare games in my time, some of them great, some of them not so much. Every once in a while, I’ll come across one that really does shine in a sea of shovel-ware. Those gems are the ones that keep me going back to the DSiWare store each week. Maestro! Green Groove is one of those gems.
The game is based on the first area of Maestro! Jump in Music, a full retail game. In the game, you play as Presto, a songbird who has to bring sound and music back to the world by defeating the evil spider, Staccato who has removed all sounds and made everyone mute.
The game breaks down into platfoming and rhythm action. Presto walks along a string and collects items that create part of a song. When you strum on the string using the stylus, Presto jumps. You can make him jump onto higher strings, make him go down to lower strings, and just make him jump to collect items. During the gameplay, a song is playing. What you do is create sounds and tunes to go along with the songs based on what you do and how well you do it. There are notes on some strings that will come together. What you must do is strum on the string when the note is almost completely together. This will result in a perfect note and will add to your score at the end. There are also enemies that will fly towards the screen. Just tap on them when the circle is almost around them and get another perfect note. The game really reminds me of Elite Beat Agents in this aspect. There are also boss fights with Staccato that are basically a game of Simon where you have to match the notes played in order to win.
One of the more impressive features is the use of the DS microphone. Later on in the game you unlock the ability to sing along with the song for extra points. It is optional, but the mic picks up very well, and the game uses it almost perfectly.
The songs you’ll be playing in the game are all well known classical tunes from the likes of Beethoven, Bach, and Dvorak. All songs sound very nice, and the notes and sounds you play all fit in well with the songs.
The only downside to this game is the fact that it’s only one chapter of the full retail game. That consists of 3 boss fights and about 8 other levels. It’s not too bad, though, because you can always go back and replay any song in a quick game menu.
I still leave this game feeling very impressed. I had never heard of Maestro! before, but now, I really want to try out the full retail game. Still, for 500 Dsi Points, this little game is a steal. It’s honestly one of the more interesting DsiWare games I have ever played. Do yourself a favor, and download this title.
The Good: Really interesting take on rhythm action, Great music, Really fun gameplay, Utilizes the microphone very well.
The Bad: Just a little too short.
Bottom Line: If you have a Dsi, pick this game up. It really is a good little game. I cannot suggest it enough. For 500 points you can’t go wrong. The game is just plain fun.
Final Grade: 9.3
We are back again. Alan is still MIA for this week as well, but hopefully he’ll be back next week. We talk about Alpha Protocol, Metal Gear: Peace Walker, and Lost Odyssey, and of course many more. We also discuss what games we would like tosee get a current generation remake. Don’t forget to check us out live every Monday, Friday, and Saturday nights right here: www.justin.tv/frustratedfury
Hagadaga! It’s Rage Quit Radio episode 38! We’re back talking about God knows what, and we answer our twitter poll question of the week, what is your favorite weapon, gadget, or accessory in a video game? We also share viewer answers and talk about next week’s question, What is you least favorite story cliché in a video game?
Don’t forget to check us out every Monday, Friday, and Saturday nights live right here: www.justin.tv/frustratedfury
Let’s be honest. The DSiWare store is lacking majorly when it comes to quality content, but sometimes, every once in a while, there’s a game that comes out on the platform that breaks that mold. One of those games is Globz’s Globulos Party. Globulos Party is a mini game compilation that stands out in a sea of mini-game compilations: as it’s actually good! You play as a team of three Globs competing in a series of events that range from football to sumo wrestling. You control the movement of your Globs by touching one with the stylus and dragging it across the board in the area that you want to move. An arrow indicates the power and destination of the Glob. When you’re satisfied with your move, you hit the Go button to send them flying. During your turn, however, your opponent can choose to move their Globs as well and whether it be to block a soccer ball from going into their goal or to knock one of your Globs into a hole to score a point. The game play is simple and very easy to get the hang of. There can actually be a decent amount of strategy involved if you wanted to get technical about the placement of your Globs.
The game does play on the cute factor. Your little Globs make some funny animations when the win or lose. It’s very kid friendly while still giving enough challenge to older gamers. There are 20 games to choose from each with a different goal and style of game play. In each game, there are at least 3 opponent teams that you can play against with each one unlocking after you defeated the previous one. By defeating more teams, you can unlock new Globs that you can use as well as earn crowns that show that you are the champion of that game.
The only problem that I could see about the game was the AI. At times the AI puts up a pretty good fight against me, but at other times, you’d think they weren’t even trying to win the game. The later teams you go against do actually become smarter and will give you quite a challenge.
There is also multiplayer both online and through a wireless connection; and download play with another DS, as well as 2 players with the same DS through passing it around. I was unfortunately only able to play one game with a person through wireless connection. This, I think, has to do with not a lot of people playing the game, which is a shame. All in all, though, the online worked quite well and with no hiccups.
For only 500 DSiWare points, you can’t really go wrong with this game. I honestly have put around 4 hours into it and had a blast the entire time. I will go as far as to say it’s one of the better, if not one of the best games on the DSiWare store! If you have a DSi and you want to find a nice pick up and play game for a good price, you should really pick this up, and play online! I want some competition!
The Good: Fun gameplay, Tons of things to do, 3 types of multiplayer, Very nice/cute presentation, Great price.
The Bad: The AI is somewhat lacking at times, Not that many people playing online.
Bottom Line: It’s $5 and you can easily put 5-8 hours into the single player alone, not to mention the multiplayer. This is one of the games you SHOULD own on the DSiWare store. I can’t suggest this enough to people out there with a few DSiWare points to spend. This is definitely a great game for your DSi library.
Final Grade: 8.7
Well, after a week off because JTV killed the recording that we did last week, RQR is back in full force. We have an extra long show this week as we give our biggest gaming disappointments as well as name all of our twitter friends’ answers. Hope you all enjoy and for next week’s question, What is your favorite weapon, device, or accessory in a video game? As always, you can watch us live every Monday, Friday, and Saturday nights at www.justin.tv/frustratedfury
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