A better example of a rhythm game than Beat, but the challenge might be off-putting to new players.
I'm not really blowing anyone's mind when I tell you that if you enjoyed Bit.Trip Beat, you're going to love Bit.Trip Core. Almost all the aesthetics that really made that game are still present in the follow-up, so if you were in love with the music, the visuals, and the gameplay, then you're pretty much going to pick this up regardless of what I have to say. The only argument I'm going to try and present with this review is that I actually think Core is the better game between the two, at least from the perspective of someone who loves older music rhythm games like Parappa the Rapper and Space Channel 5.
Like the first, this title is developed by Gaijin Games, and published by Aksys. The same techno music trappings are applied here, and the music is top notch, easily enjoyable by just about anyone. The visuals keep that same simple, Atari 2600 pixel look to them, with big blocky pixels taking up the majority of the background space, as little square pixels zoom around in the foreground.
However, this game drops the pong like style of the first game, and places a simple D-Pad in the center the screen. The D-Pad is mapped to the one on the Wii remote, and like the first title, you'll simply put the remote on its side for control purposes. Instead of using the Wii remote to move around though, all the gameplay is tied into the face buttons, using the number 2 button to shoot, and the number 1 button to unleash a screen clearing bomb attack. The D-Pad is your primary input though; it's the part of the game that really reminds me of a Parappa style experience. On screen, every time you hit a direction with the D-Pad you'll see a beam of light that shoots out from the corresponding directional input. As the pixels zoom around the screen, you need to get your timing right to hit the proper direction on the D-Pad in fire away with the number 2 button. There's some shoot em up qualities here, sure, but the D-Pad is always stationary, while the pixels move horizontally and vertically along the screen.
Like the first game, there are patterns to follow and there's a certain amount of trial and error, as each of the three stages will present different types of pixels over time, and different ways of throwing them at you. They won't always come along in straight lines, some will move up and down, in a wavy like pattern, while others will move back and forth quickly, giving you multiple tries to shoot them down. The game is certainly challenging, I found it no easier than the original, and while there are only three stages at about 15 minutes or so of gameplay per stage, it'll still keep you busy for quite some time.
It's all score based still, and there's multipliers to get and so on, so if you have a competitive streak in you there's something to enjoy as well. Like before, if you start to fail out you'll fill up a meter that changes the screen into a black and white version of the game, devoid of all sound except for the FX, and you'll need to get yourself out of the black to get back into the game. It's a neat element that allows you a small chance to breathe if you're having some trouble, as the background effects in the main game can start to get a little chaotic at times, making it moderately difficult to view the pixels at times.
All together, Bit.Trip Core is a great Wii Ware title, and an excellent follow-up to Beat, and definitely more my cup of tea than the original. I am curious to see what Gaijin does for the third entry into the series, but at the same time I'm really chomping at the bit to see what they do past this retro style pixel game that they've been cashing in on for the last two entries. Still, definitely pick this up if you've enjoyed the first, there's nothing here that'll put you off since so much of the ground covered is already familiar. If you missed out on Beat, then Core is definitely the one to go for, as I feel like it's a better experience if you're a fan of the rhythm genre at all. Definitely worth the small asking price (600 points I believe) and a great follow up from Gaijin.
