Phase for iPod reviewed

Feature

We don't usually review games for the iPod, but this jazzy little game we just couldn't let slip by without giving it some attention.

November 25th, 2007 by Chris Scott

iPod Hero
With Harmonix putting the finishing touches on Rock Band you would think that they would have their hands full. It was quite a surprise when I opened up iTunes to find out that they had snuck a game into the iTunes store called Phase. Phase, like past games developed by Harmonix, is a music rhythm game reminiscent of past Harmonix games Guitar Hero and Amplitude. In fact calling Phase the �Guitar Hero� of the iPod would not be too much of a reach, unlike Guitar Hero though the big drawing point of Phase are the custom soundtracks.

Imagine being able to play Guitar Hero with any song you own in your library, that is the beauty of Phase. Do you have a hankering for Guns N� Roses and Metallica, or maybe Britney Spears is more up your alley, regardless of your musical tastes Phase allows you to play the game using your music. Harmonix developed a new technology with which Phase creates a special playlist in iTunes. Putting songs into the list will allow the software to read the beats, rhythm and tempo changes creating the note chart. It is not an in depth note chart like in Guitar Hero or Harmonix�s upcoming Rock Band but on the harder difficulties it flows very well with the music.

Sweep
The game plays much like Guitar Hero on easy, with three lines of notes streaking down the screen that you need to press in the correct sequence. Where Phase differs from the familiar game mechanic is with checkpoints and sweeps, similar to Amplitude. Checkpoints are situated throughout the song level and players will be tasked with filling up star meters based on difficulty. You will fill up the star meter by hitting notes, done by pressing left right or the center iPod button, and by capturing sweeps. Sweeps are a series of little notes that string in a pattern across the note board. Collecting them is easy: simply deploy your net and �sweep� your finger in the appropriate direction on the iPod click wheel. If you fail to fill up a meter, you will lose a heart. If you lose all your hearts, it will be game over.

While an increase in difficulty on Guitar Hero would mean the introduction of an additional fret board (note line), Phase keeps it simple sticking with just three note lines, however the three difficulties (Easy, Medium and Hard) do offer varying degrees of challenge. While none are likely to tax you in any way, playing on Hard will at least make things interesting depending upon your choice of songs.

Pass the songs
There are two modes of play in Phase, Quick Spin and Marathon. Quick Spin allows you to pick a song and play it on any difficulty, once the song is over the game is over. Marathon offers something different, you can select a song and play the song level but then the game will pick four more songs for you to play, each getting progressively harder. The objective being that you pass all five songs. Phase ships with seven songs that are quite good and will give you some decent playtime along the way. But to get the most out of the game you will have to add in some of your music.

I have spent a lot of time talking about the gameplay and music reading technology but the visual direction of the game should at least be touched upon. Phase really stands out in the visual department. Harmonix opted for a simple design that fits the simple game play very well. You will play on five different levels, including a fiery volcanic level, an aquatic level, an Asian inspired level, a robotic level and a rock concert level. The bright colors and paper cutout looking designs that scroll by you are all very crisp and sharp.

Keep on playing
With almost limitless replay based on your own music collection, Phase is a top-notch product that any iPod owner should put on their player. Unfortunately not all iPod owners will have that opportunity. The game only plays on 3rd generation iPod Nanos, the iPod classic and 5th generation iPods, so people with the iPhone or iPod Touch are out of luck. However if you can play it you are in for a treat. Phase is by far the best game available on the iPod.