Will the upcoming rhythm game uphold its promise to the Kinect and Xbox One? Well, it certainly seems to at least be holding its own. Earlier today, some representatives from Joystiq were allowed to release their recording of playing Fantasia: Music Evolved to the public. While it was available to play at GDC this year, Harmonix has been keeping a close watch on Fantasia’s press coverage. While the original author at Joystiq praised much of the involvement as an advanced version of Child of Eden or Dance Central; we’re a little more ambivalent about the impending 2014 release. For any of you music-lovers out there, or avid Disney fans; Fantasia: Music Evolved will be a nostalgic trip back to Disney’s animated musical film, of which the product is named. However, the folks over at Harmonix have taken the incentive to broaden the horizon to fans that might not be interested in the whole “Disney uptake.”
The preview stresses the interaction between the Kinect and player in a “world that is literally created of music.” The player’s actions and reactions to the changes in tempo (and even genre, as you can swap between electronic, orchestral, and other beats) will alter your overall experience with Fantasia: Music Evolved. It’ll also have a significant impact on the world around you, ushering your partner to collaborate with you as the construction of music begins to transform. The action of metamorphosis within music is one of Fantasia: Music Evolved’s selling points; there’s an unlimited number of times that a player can interact with the world of Fantasia and mix with a potential partner.
Harmonix has done a phenomenal job bringing in the co-op experience to life. Rather than simply competing for highest score, there’s an emphasis on blending music. During solos, the players will mingle one half of the piece before meshing it all together. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen—but surprisingly, the outcome is anything but deafening. No matter how drastic someone’s actions may differ; the result is meshed through Harmonix to be charmingly quaint.
We have access to one example level below:
Thus, even if you’re not a Disney enthusiast, the developers at Harmonix have employed alternate songs and music for a more modern audience. Including familiarized music artists, and potential DLC in the near future. Harmonix has stated that while there is none planned at the moment, DLC is definitely something they’re looking into for Fantasia: Music Evolved.
Whether you are anticipating the flashback to the Disney concept of Fantasia, or if you’re just a fan to the flow of rhythm games, this one will definitely be worth checking out in the near future.