Who higher to overview a Hey Kitty recreation than a middle-aged Ohioan, proper? Properly, consider me; I’ve reviewed loads of video games even additional faraway from my rapid demographic. It’s simply a part of the job.
It helps that Hey Kitty and Buddies Happiness Parade just isn’t unhealthy, relying upon what you’re on the lookout for from both Sanrio’s Hey Kitty herself or rhythm video games generally.
I don’t need to inform you who Hey Kitty is, proper? We’re all accustomed to her? Good, as a result of the sport doesn’t inform you something, both. There’s mainly no introduction or story right here, simply the premise that Hey Kitty and her mates are holding parades to unfold happiness world wide. I discover this ironic contemplating parades have the precise reverse impact on me. Possibly that wouldn’t be the case in the event that they concerned fewer native politicians in convertibles and extra furries tripping over fences.
The gameplay facilities round Hey Kitty and a few mates as they march down a road to the beat of the music. They transfer ahead routinely all through every stage, however it’s your job to assist them keep away from traps and obstacles which are being laid out by Kuromi. There are a few methods to do that. If you wish to transfer together with Kitty and mates, you possibly can swing the Pleasure-Cons up and down with every beat like drumsticks, flicking them left or proper to make the lead character change lanes.
The opposite choice is to press the B button with every step as you march ahead, then Y to maneuver left and A to maneuver proper. I discovered this model to be extra correct, however maybe not as partaking.
Every of the characters you’ll unlock by the sport has a special means. You may take three whole into the parade, however solely the parade chief’s means can be utilized. So, if you wish to flip cash into hearts to replenish your well being, you need to transfer My Melody to the entrance with the L button, then hit the R button to set off her means. There’s a cooldown interval, so these particular talents can’t be used on a regular basis.
Success requires a mix of rhythm expertise and fast pondering to keep away from obstacles and enemies alongside the way in which. End a stage, and also you’re offered with a fast bonus spherical the place you possibly can mash a button for added talent factors. Throughout ranges, you possibly can often have interaction in timing-based photoshoots.
That’s actually it for gameplay, however it’s approached in an oddly roguelite method. You may push ahead throughout a number of ranges, selecting your route by issue stage. Characters disappear as they’re eradicated, and also you’ll have to begin from scratch if all three are worn out. After all, you possibly can stage up your characters’ expertise as you go, making it simpler to push additional with subsequent playthroughs. The primary profit right here is the discount of the cooldown time for every character’s particular expertise. Play lengthy sufficient, and also you’ll be capable to summon Pompompurin’s invincibility sufficient that you simply’ll be capable to simply stroll by lots of the rolling bombs, swinging hammers, and so forth.
The replay loop does get repetitive, however it’s mitigated considerably by permitting you to decide on the tune you wish to hear whereas taking part in; having to begin from scratch with the identical tune can be maddening. The overwhelming majority of the sport’s 40 songs simply sound like cheerleader competitors music, however there are certain to be a pair you received’t thoughts biking by in your method to the top.
Followers of Hey Kitty will certainly delight on the recreation’s presentation. The graphics are shiny, however delicate, and all the things concerning the interface is pleasant and upbeat. Unlocking acquainted characters will push gamers by, as will the varied rewards you possibly can unlock to decorate them.
Nevertheless, there are solely 23 ranges to the sport with out a lot replay worth. A number of endings could be reached by taking completely different paths, however they’re neither rewarding nor assorted sufficient to warrant a number of playthroughs.
Additionally, I really feel the issue received’t problem older followers of rhythm video games, whereas youthful audiences could discover it a bit too irritating. There’s a candy spot between the 2, and I’m too far faraway from it to know the way massive it’s.
These points apart, Hey Kitty and Buddies Happiness Parade succeeds at being an upbeat, breezy, and bouncy rhythm recreation that’s fulfilling sufficient to spend a while with. In the event you’ve obtained a Netflix account, you possibly can attempt it out without spending a dime in your cell system. I counsel doing so earlier than agreeing to attend this explicit parade.