So I went onto Michael Jackson’s website after noticing on Facebook that the trailer for his new video game premiered. Not that I would’ve bought the “Michael Jackson Experience” game, anyway. I’m not exactly the type of guy that plays dance games (although I played Dance Dance Revolution once…but it was during the holidays and I was with my family!). I’m sure my downstairs neighbors are quite thankful for that.
I dunno…the game doesn’t look all that exciting to me. It’s basically repeating the choreography for his routines? Meh. I can think of many, many better uses of my time and money (under the assumption that the game will be fifty bucks or more). Hell, for the price of a couple beers I can go to a karaoke bar and rock out MJ style, and I won’t have to be around those insufferably gorgeous, plastic-smiling people like in the commercial, either.
8 comments
GG says:
Sep 16, 2010
The premise gives the game promise. The big thing will be how many actual songs/videos there are, and what’s unlockable. And if the game actually works as advertised and flows well, it might be pretty decent.
There has to be something about finding more music, unlocking more versions of MJ, and things of that nature. It’s not like Guitar Hero where you can release more music. MJ’s done a finite number of videos/routines. They have to make them feel special.
The fact that Ubi-Soft makes it is what scares me. If the guys at Rock Band picked it up, I’d be super interested.
Gonzo says:
Sep 16, 2010
I believe there are to be 35 or so tracks – though no word on whether they will be immediately accessible or not. I also thought there was supposed to be a singing component to this as well.
I’m really curious, but I can’t go off the commercial and make a blind buy.
blerd says:
Sep 16, 2010
Yeah, I think if all that stuff is going to be part of the game, there should be a MUCH better ad campaign for it!!
GG says:
Sep 16, 2010
A singing component is a must I think. I’d add some Rock Band ability or DJ Hero ability too since most of the folks buying this game may already have the controllers for that stuff.
It can’t just be a dance game. It will fail tremendously.
Mike D. says:
Sep 17, 2010
I’m cautiously optimistic for this game. From a music standpoint, I hope it casts the songs we’re all familiar with in a new light. (That’s part of the appeal of Rock Band for me; hearing how the multitracks are mixed or edited for the purpose of those games is pretty interesting, and some of the included tracks had bits you didn’t hear on the original albums – Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ’69” and Squeeze’s “Tempted” being two notable examples.) I don’t know that 35 tracks is enough to do that.
From a gamer’s standpoint, I’m also vaguely appalled that all the gameplay looks to be taken from the Wii version. This game is supposed to make use of the Xbox’s super-hyped Kinect and the PS3’s Move controller; why they’d show people goofily swinging around a Wii Remote instead is anyone’s guess. (And I love my Wii, but it’s the most childish of consoles.)
Will it be on the Christmas list? Yeah, probably.
blerd says:
Sep 17, 2010
You’re way more of a gamer than I am. I was a bit taken aback by the goofy swinging of the Wii remote as well. As much of an MJ maniac as I am, I will almost certainly pass on this game.
GG says:
Sep 17, 2010
They don’t make it for your PS2 anyway Mike! Ha! Just playing.
Like I said, if they do anything creative on the DJ Hero or Rockband realm where they reinvent or perfect the style, it could be really good.
My fear is that they’re trying to slap something together quickly to make Christmas money.
Gonzo says:
Oct 15, 2010
I don’t believe the XBox/PS3 versions will be out this year, which is why the Wii version is getting all the hype. This may be one that I pass on because I have a Wii, and it just doesn’t look as interesting for that console (the woe of the Wii, I’m afraid!).
There will be no singing on the Wii version either, but I think that is still in the cards for at least the Xbox edition.
I’m thinking I’ll pass, but maybe I’ll play it at some house party and with a few cocktails, think that it’s the best thing since Super Mario 3.