Disney Fantasia: Music Evolved

Editor's Notes

Xbox One disc version reviewed.

Introduction

Harmonix Music Systems is a game studio full of musicians and has been since their first title, 'Frequency', was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. They contributed, arguably more than anyone else, to the rhythm game craze that surged on for years well after the late-90s 'Dance Dance Revolution' (among other games) had seemed like just a genre title. They invented the 'Guitar Hero', 'Rock Band', and 'Dance Central' franchises and managed to survive the 2010 rhythm game implosion, when their chief competitor folded up all of the various 'Hero' imprints. It has been over two years since the last 'Rock Band' but Harmonix has been hard at work on other projects.

Disney’s 'Fantasia' franchise began in 1940 with the first film, an animated roadshow feature full of orchestral music. It was only their third animated feature (after 'Snow White' and 'Pinocchio') and the first movie ever to use stereo sound. The series has slowly expanded through the decades, including an animated sequel, a theme park ride, a few early video games, and even a live-action Nicolas Cage vehicle based on a single segment of the original movie (itself based on a much older German poem). This segment, called 'The Sorcerer’s Apprentice', is also the basis of Harmonix’s 'Fantasia: Music Evolved'.

The Game Itself: Our Reviewer's Take

'Fantasia: Music Evolved' is a rhythm game that uses the Kinect sensor to make a controller out of the human body. There is no instrument peripheral, and no need for a controller after the initial setup and calibration. The game’s campaign is a series of songs framed by a loose narrative. During the songs, the player "conducts" the music with a series of hand movements that follow small, frenetic dots and circles on the screen. The most basic moves are sweeps and "punches" that match the tempo of the music, and as the game goes on, the moves become quicker and more complicated. There are several minigames that are played in between and even during songs, such as remixing on the fly, creating short compositions that are played in the background, and finding collectibles with visual cues on the map.

There are two modes of play in 'Fantasia'. One is the single-player campaign, and the other is a local co-op two-player. During co-op, a party mode can be enabled wherein all songs are unlocked, but any objective progress is paused. It’s not quite the party game that 'Rock Band 3' was, what with its seven-piece arrangements, but it works out because 'Fantasia' is far more exhausting. Whereas I used to play 'Rock Band' for hours on end with nary a pause, 'Fantasia' is a more demanding experience. While it can be played sitting down (and even has a special setting for it), the Kinect sensor seems to be more accurate when the player is standing. That, combined with all of the arm waving, jumping around, and other shenanigans going on, will inevitably tucker out all but the most conditioned (or young) participants. That is not a bad thing, as in a party environment, players can tag out every few songs to rest and watch their friends frolic around the living room.

Much like the first time I loaded up 'Rock Band' and strummed out killer riffs on my make-believe guitar, playing 'Fantasia' brought a genuine smile to my face. It is one of those rare, bright, fun-for-fun’s-sake titles that can bring out the inner child in even the most jaded, hardcore gamer. It is a slow starter with a rather long tutorial, but after an hour or so of lessons, I was wildly cavorting around the room, alternately entertaining my roommates, terrifying the pets, and knocking things over with reckless abandon. Note that this is not 'Dance Central' and that over-the-top dance moves are not required, but in my opinion makes it a more enjoyable experience.

On the topic of the game’s partnership with the Kinect, it is, on the whole, quite good. Especially during the songs themselves, I found that the sensor was accurate, only occasionally failing to register my masterful conducting. Outside of songs it becomes harder to handle, especially in the panoramic realm maps. During these I experienced a lot of wobbling and inaccurate selections. With some practice it becomes easier, but perhaps the cursor is a bit too sensitive outside of songs.