Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 181-184 of 184
 If you've always wanted to jam but don't want to work too hard, this is your game! October 21, 2008
Suzanne Amara (MA)
24 out of 32 found this review helpful
I couldn't wait for this game to come out---it sounded so creative and interesting and different. I've been playing for hours now, and I can say it is interesting and different---creative not as much. The basic gameplay is jamming. You don't create the tunes, at least not at first, but you mostly control the rhythm of various instruments. You can be melody, percussion, chords, bass, and then be one of many instruments for what you chose---piano, toy piano, electric guitar, marachas, flute---lots and lots of choices. Each type of instrument has a way to be held to play it, but you aren't actually picking the notes---just the rhythm---what you play has a built in melody which plays when you are playing. It's fun to fool around with. I thought I would like only to be the melody, but it's actually neat to be the back up chords or bass too. You can also play all the different parts by going back and playing the same song again as a different part over and over.
You unlock songs as you go. The songs are fairly fun to play with, for a middle aged person like myself that doesn't know the most recent hits and likes songs I do know---like Clementine, Happy Birthday, O Christmas Tree, Twinkle Twinkle, Ode to Joy, etc. I was surprised to see Woman by John Lennon on the list---I love that song, but it seems a bit out of place!
There are lessons on types of styles, and also games you can play. The handbell game is curiously addictive, but I wish there were more songs available for it. I like the musical quiz game, where you have to do things like arrange notes from lowest to highest, or find what 3 tones are part of a chord you hear.
The learning curve is pretty quick. The tutorial to get started is quite good, and I figured out the basics of the game in no time.
I would say this would be a game for people who like to fool around casually with music---who want to get that cool feeling of being part of a band or orchestra without really having to learn much music. I do think you'd learn a little as you went along, just by seeing what combinations of instruments and what rhymes sound best.
If you are looking for a really hard core music game, this isn't it. If you just want to have fun and also if you want to give your kids a totally non-violent and non-competitive game, this IS it!
Wii Music Rocks October 21, 2008
MomAdvice (Indiana)
24 out of 30 found this review helpful
When our copy of Wii Music arrived, we were a bit skeptical. Based on the summary, the game lets you play a bunch of virtual musical instruments by waving around your Wii remote and pressing buttons. I'll be honest and say that did not sound very satisfying on paper. However, after countless jam sessions, hand bell performances, symphonies, and music video recording, I can tell you that this game is incredible.
Unlike most games, there is no set path and there is no right or wrong way to experience Wii Music. The game is more of a tool to allow your kids (and you) to understand music theory and foster their musical creativity. This is not done through the sadistic exercises that piano teacher from your childhood employed. Rather, the game introduces you to the basic mechanics of the various instruments and underlying concepts of music and sets you on your way.
You start with about two dozen different instruments to try. As you progress through the additional lessons, games, and challenges offered, you unlock more. This process is extremely satisfying because of not only the sheer number the game offers in total (a whopping 60!), but also their variety and humor. This is a fantastic way to introduce you children to instruments they would never have the opportunity to experience otherwise. Sure, there are the expected standards like a drum set, piano, violin, trumpet and guitar, but that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Ever played the djembe or taiko drums? Rocked out with a shamisen or sitar? Maybe strummed a dandy on the jaw harp? Neither had I until Wii Music. For some real laughs, you can "play" a dog or cat suit (your Mii barks or meows while dress in full costume), lay down some dope beats with your DJ turntables or beat-boxing, or just go nuts as a cheerleader yelling and shaking your pom-poms. There is enough variety here to keep your family smiling for hours.
Getting to the actual music, the main mode is the "jam sessions" where you can choose your role in the band (melody, percussion, bass, etc) and play your heart out to dozens of songs from the elementary "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to some pop and rock classics like "Mr. Postman" or "Material Girl". Your kids are not scored, graded, or judged like other music games like Guitar Hero. They are free to play however they like, in whatever style they like. They don't have to worry about the notes they play, as the game does a surprisingly intelligent job of deciding that for them. To get a great performance, it's all about the timing, rhythm, and the gusto with which they play.
The lessons mode does a fantastic job of gradually teaching them more advanced concepts of musical theory. It demonstrates how you can play the same song in different styles and how the mood of a song can change from start to finish. This serves as a great teaching tool and make the game more engaging by enabling your kids to play the same songs it an endless variety of ways.
There are other modes such as music videos, hand bell performances, music quizzes (another great teaching tool), and our favorite, conductor. Conductor allows you to take control over a symphony or choir who follow your lead through a number of rousing classical numbers. Depending on the speed and tempo of your movements, the musicians will play faster, slower, louder, or softer. This is one mode that does score you and leads to some great competition. If you conduct with robot-like precision, you will not get as high of a score as you might think. You are awarded for creativity and the personality you inject into the performance.
 Good for young kids, but lacks general appeal October 21, 2008
P. Kehoe
121 out of 149 found this review helpful
I managed to get my hands on this early, excited to try out the next iteration in the 'Wii' series of games. After spending some time with it with a friend, we've both come to the conclusion that Nintendo's aimed this at a much narrower audience than previous 'Wii' games like Wii Sports. The relationship between your input and the game's output - the music - was just too unsophisticated for us. It kind of felt silly to play, which was funny initially, but then just silly.
I haven't observed this, but I think it would be something that younger kids could get a lot out of. Its relative lack of sophistication would make it ideal. It does in fact remind me a slightly more advanced version of toys and creative toys you'd give to toddlers. The package is otherwise polished and charming, and I think it'd appeal heavily to that kind of age group.
For me though, this one's a miss, unfortunately. I can't enjoy this the same way I did prior Wii games from Nintendo.
Jamming The Wii Away October 20, 2008
Michael Kerner (Brooklyn, New York U.S.A.)
112 out of 140 found this review helpful
While the past year, we've really seen the outrageous success of music games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band deliver with the hype and the gameplay for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360, there actually hasn't been all that much for wannabe musicians to jam to their hearts too. While Rock Band and Guitar Hero have the excitement, there just is also the gimmicks of playing with more than just guitars. Well Nintendo has shown that recently with Sambe De Amigo with songs to download to, and now they are about to show that all over again with a little help from your favorite Mii's and just a little imagination, you can jam to any musical instrument, and anyway you like to play is here on the Wii, with Wii Music.
Wii Music, one of the more surprisingly hyped games showcased at the E3 Video Game Expo earlier this year, is finally available for the Nintendo Wii. The game features no outrageous gimmicks like a guitar controller or a dance mat like the ones from Dance Dance Revolution, but just the simplicity that anyone can play and make your own music. The graphics look great and bring in a more natural way of playing to your favorite songs from Nintendo's past like the themes from Super Mario Brothers and The Legend Of Zelda, or classical standards, and even guilty pleasure pop songs like Wham!'s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.
There are over 60 different kinds of insturments to jam to from conga drums and violins, all the way to cow bells, yes I said cow bells. There also are great games to play with including Mii Maestro, where you can conduct your way through the simplicity of an orchestra, and drum solo mode, which you could play to the beat of a drum. But, you'd need the balance board from Wii Fit to play for that game, and improv jams you can custom make and record and save for your Wii viewing pleasure. Also, you can play alone, or with others to your favorite songs online through the WiiConnect online, which is a treat die hard Wii fans had wished for that even Rock Band couldn't deliver.
All in all, while hard core music video gamers are more aniticapated for the releases of Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero: World Tour for the Wii, Wii Music is a unique musical experience for young and old gamers that is sure to please your wallet and the casual gamer alike, at a affordable price. It really takes my breath away, and is a fun and unique musical game that is well worth the money and in more than one musical note after another with all the different ways to can strum your heart away.
Graphics: B+
Sound: B
Control: B+
Fun & Enjoyment: B+ for solo player; A 1/2- for multiplayer
Overall: B+
Showing reviews 181-184 of 184
|
