It stands almost uncontested the sentiment that Harmonix is the saving grace of Microsoft's Kinect. As Dance Central once saved Harmonix, the Cambridge, MA based developers in turn did the same for the Xbox 360 motion control system, which has since been plagued by faulty tech and poor title selection.
In that sense it should come as no surprise that the minds behind one of the most popular games of the modern era, Rock Band, could surprise us with a new title that manages to artfully blend a popular Disney film with true innovation that challenges industry perceptions about practical uses for the Kinect. While other creators pursue basic voice commands as a means to utilize the motion control system, Harmonix continues to incorporate the physical aspects of the Kinect, refining the technology and thus, ensuring its future. Case in point, their latest title Fantasia: Music Evolved, a project two and a half years in the making.
Fantasia: Music Evolved is a music based game that puts the player in the role of Sorcerer's Apprentice. Users respond to visual cues guiding them through on-screen highlights that, when executed property, re-create the sweeping arm movements used by conductors to direct the flow of music. The cues mostly take on the form of neon streaks of light, but other shapes encouraging alternate forms of motion (akin to mini games) also appear. The arrangement of the composition can be changed during the course of the song, and instrumental solos laid over portions of the track as well. Set to brilliant backdrops (the press demo took place in a stunning coral reef), the game is as rich visually as it is aurally.
I think the biggest thing I took away from the demo was that this game is much more fully realized that one would initially expect. Perhaps because of the almost universal disappointment with the Kinect, expectations have been low. Personally I thought gameplay would consist solely of allowing the player to swing their arms around over a track. I'm delighted to say that I was wrong, wrong, wrong. It's difficult to fully articulate the many features of the game, but suffice to say, it'll defy your basic expectations.
Fantasia: Music Evolved is due out sometime in 2014 for both Xbox 360 Kinect and Xbox One. When I pressed the Harmonix crew for a more specific time window, they were unable to give me one, so just sit tight folks!
