Rhythm Heaven (Nintendo DS, 2009)

When I first heard about the new Nintendo DS game called "Rhythm Heaven", all I knew was that it was a rhythm game...keep the beat...tap along to the song...that kind of thing. And I thought...that sounds nice.

So when the game came out, I bought it. I don't usually do that...I usually rent games (to try them) first, before buying...but I took a leap of faith...and I was very happy with what I found!

Rhythm Heaven is one of those games that is very simple in its controls.
Basically all you do is either "tap", "hold and release" or "flick" your stylus on the touch screen. And that's it. Simple controls.

But NOT a simple game! :) Developed like a series of "mini games", you are presented with a game to try to beat. The first such game is called "Built to Scale"...and you're in a factory assembling cogs...at the right moment, you "flick" a rod in between 2 square washers...do it at the wrong moment, and they fall apart...do it at the right moment and they stick together...sound simple? It is...but believe me, it's fun!

You can try to beat a game again and again. If you do poorly, they ask you to "try again". If you do well enough, you get an "ok" and can pass on to the next game. If you do really really well, you get a "superb" and a gold medal (medals can be used to play some mindless 'neverending' games or play some mindless 'rhythm games'...they don't count for anything, they're just something else to do). Every now and again, the game will offer you 3 chances to attain a "perfect"...and if you do, you win a little prize.

There are 4 games to play, then the 5th is a re-mix of the 4 that you just played, but all mixed up together. Then you go on to another 5 and another, and another....You can go back and play any game that you've already beaten again and again.

There is a coffee-house in the game...sometimes it is nice to go over there and chat with the barista...he usually gives some small talk, and now and then some advice. If you try to beat a game at least 3 times in a row and are unsuccessful, he will offer you the chance to skip over the game that is giving you trouble...and I think that is nice, because sometimes it can be frustrating to be stuck on one game that you just can't beat.

Is this game easy to understand? Yes.
Is this game fun? Yes.
Is this game addictive? Oh yes!
Is this game easy to pick up and play (for either hours on end or just for a few spare moments? Yes.
Is this game playable on the Nintendo DS, DS Lite and DSi? Yes.

Will you like this game?

In a word...

Yes.





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