They say music unites us all. Through good and bad times, we always seem to think back to music that reminds us of our journey. But just like life, the road is not always paved with gold.
A Musical Story is exactly what its name implies. You follow a small band as they travel across the country on their way to the big gig they’ve been waiting for. But the road isn’t as straight and narrow as it may seem. Twists and turns test the band, and a lovely musical score marks the entire journey. It tackles some very real issues, and it does so in a stylish and graceful way.
As you might have guessed, this is a rhythm game. Each scene of the story line unfolds from a circle shape in the center of the screen. Your job is to match the notes for various instruments that surround the circle. Upon completing the sequence, more and more of the scene is unveiled. While this may sound fairly easy, I can assure you, it is not. As a veteran Guitar Hero player, even I had trouble keeping the beat and tempo in this title. In the Normal mode, you are not given a visual “guide” that shows the speed of the music…the game rather requires the player to learn the beat and speed themselves. While this does have a bit of a learning curve, it’s worth it in terms of feeling the music and challenging yourself to learn tempo. Luckily, there is an “assisted mode” that adds that telltale dot, making for a much easier experience if you so desire.
Visually the game is absolutely lovely. Charming art style mixes with fantastic color schemes and animation to make a vibrant and stunning looking experience throughout. I can’t stress enough how well done the story sequences are done. Simplistic, stylish, and popping with color; it’s just utterly lovely.
The soundtrack is a groovy mix of 1970s tunes that had me tapping my foot for the majority of the time. With deep and funky bass lines, to sharp key tones, the music is truly the star of the show. Playing each layer of a track sounds and feels wonderfully satisfying once it all comes together. I absolutely demand a vinyl release. Now. I will not wait any longer.
Overall, A Musical Story brings an incredibly artistic, moody, and enjoyable journey through life and music. If you’re a fan of rhythm games, or are looking for a great visual story to enjoy, give this one a look.
A Musical Story
$19.99
Pros
- Lovely visuals
- Great soundtrack
- Interesting story/setting
Cons
- A bit too unforgiving at times
- Button inputs lack variety
