Review: Elite Beat Agents
Rhythm games for me have usually been hit or miss, either I get it or I don't. Good examples would be; I got and loved Guitar Hero, and I despise all DDR clones. With that said, which of these two camps will Elite Beat Agents fall into?
Story:
You are a member of an elite group of agents whose sole purpose of existence is to cheer up those in need of cheering up by performing a cheer, to help someone out of a jam. But if you fail your organization will crumble and you will be out of a job, so get out there and cheer people up Elite Beat Agent, your livelihood depends on it!
Graphics:
Usually in a rhythm game you don't expect to get much graphically, but the characters look clean and the game is bright and cheerful, while the animations at the top of the screen are rolling, and those are absolutely hilarious, and can sometimes distract from the game play, but it is well worth it.
Music:
This is always the highpoint of any rhythm game, and in Elite Beat Agents this is no exception, with a licensed soundtrack that includes the likes of my Mates from New Zealand, Stereogram, Madonna, Sum 41, Queen, The Rolling Stones, The Village People, Good Charlotte, Cher, Chicago, The Jackson 5, David Bowe, Destiny's Child, and many more. And even though the soundtrack is not sung by the original artist, it is done with in reason; in that some of the beats would be off if they used some of the original artist's vocals.
Control:
It takes a little while to get used to the controls in EBA, but once you do you will be having a blast! This is a game completely controlled by the stylus, and you have to hit certain points of the screen when the beat hits, or you may need to drag out a beat across the touch screen. Sounds simple right? Well it is not quite as easy as it sounds like in a song like Material Girl; you will be hitting double beats, at a good pace as well with holding a beat with good regularity, and don't get me started with songs like Canned Heat. Needless to say that the tutorial mode for Elite Beat Agents is more than a suggested place to start for new players since it can be confusing, to get started into, but after that initial learning curve, players will feel right at home, and really start enjoying the game.
Design:
This game looks good, plays good, sounds good, and on top of that is highly addictive. How addictive you ask? As addictive as the best games in the genre are, that is how addictive. The stages and choreography of the patterns are complex, and flow beautifully, and make for some of the best uses of the touch screen to be seen on the DS. If the game has any flaws it is that some of the songs can be quite a challenge for new players, but you are a gamer right? And gamers like a little challenge every now and again right?
DS owners this is another quality title for your little handheld that is a must own, and should appeal to everyone. DS owners you owe it to your self to at least try this game out. Or you will be missing something great for your DS
Graphics
9/10
Game play
9/10
Sound
10/10
Fun factor
10/10
Tilt
10/10
Average score
9.6
Elite Beat Agents:
Pros:
Fun, addictive, catchy
Great soundtrack
Great animations, with a great sense of humor
Fluid game play
Cons:
Takes a little while to get used to
Some of the songs are ungodly tough, so don't get discouraged