Game Review ( Phase - iPod Video )

Coming straight from Harmonix is Phase, a new music game for the iPod. I saw this available on iTunes and immedietely charged my Mom's credit card. ( Sorry, it was worth it. ) In Phase, you can select any song you want, and how many ever you want, and put them into the game. Phase automatically makes a note track for you, and it is suprisingly accurate - there are even different difficulty levels. ( You can unlock more by playing Marathons, which are much like Set Lists in Rock Band. ) Phase looks simple, but it really isn't. You use the rewind, select, and forward buttons on the iPod to hit notes, and slide your thumb over the click wheel during certain sections to get extra points, essentially it's Phase's version of Star Power. My review.

Graphics: 4/5 Keeping it very simple, but very unique. Phase has 6 different "Journeys" (A.K.A. Venues) that you can play in. The notes and background objects come at you as if you're walking or driving into them - it's pretty cool. The only real problem I have is that there are a few times where the game will lag a bit and it will cause you to miss a note.

Sound: 5/5 How can it not be 5/5? It's your music. Also, there are a few Harmonix tracks in the game, which came to a pleasant surprise to me. Among the bands are Bang Camaro and Freezepop, with a few other bands, making for a total of 7 seven songs, most of which are fun to play.

Control: 4.5/5 The slide sections are sometimes hard to hit becuase the clickwheel might not recognize your thumb, but other than that, the controls are all fine and good.

Fun: 4.75/5 For $5, you're getting what is the best iPod game currently available. You can select any song in the world, put it on this game, and have a note track made for it. Most of the time, you are hitting notes on beat with the song, with the occasional random note thrown in there. You also play sections of different instrument in each song. Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums, Trumpet, whatever, you'll likely play each instrument in the song. There are even high score boards for each song, and marathon you play. Phase should definitely be downloaded by any fan of games from the music genre.

4.75/5

Pros: Play any song on your iPod. Cool "Journey"s. Addicting as hell.
Cons: Carpal Tunnel, anyone? Occasional lag. Obviously, no multiplayer, but still depressing.