Bit.Trip Saga collected for 3DS - GameSpot'@context': 'VideoGame','name': 'Bit.Trip Core','url': 'The second game in the Bit.Trip series features a retro visual style and a different control scheme.' ,'datePublished': '2009-07-06T00:00:00Z','publisher':'Gaijin Games', 'Aksys Games', 'Nintendo', 'Arc System Works','genre':'Music/Rhythm','gamePlatform':'Macintosh', 'PC', 'Wii','op.
Gaijin Games’ BIT.TRIP series has been met with positive reception on the Wii, and now 3DS owners can enjoy every entry altogether with the BIT.TRIP SAGA compilation. This conversion faithfully retains all sounds, visuals, and, most importantly, gameplay found on the WiiWare versions, though there are some issues present. Regardless of its flaws, Gaijin has made SAGA into a worthwhile title that’s great for fans of the series and rhythm gamers.
For those not in the know, there are six games in the BIT.TRIP franchise, and only two titles share the same gameplay style. All games are playable from the start and you’re free to play them in any order you want, making the series relatively accessible.
One Game, Five Ways to Play
Bit.Trip Saga is a retro style music video compilation video game for the Nintendo 3DS. Developed by Gaijin Games and published by Aksys Games, the game. TRIP Saga Goes 3D on Nintendo 3DS. Originally developed as WiiWare and as individual downloadable games for Apple phones and mobile systems, the BIT.
BEAT and FLUX are clones of Pong. Beats (the “dots” in most BIT.TRIP games) coming from one side of the screen must be repelled by your paddle, but that’s easier said than done. The various beat patterns thrown at you will fly and waver all over the screen in an effort to throw you (the player) off, but these become more manageable with memorization from repeated attempts.
RUNNER and FATE take the form of a platformer and a literal on-rails shooter, respectively. RUNNER’s challenge comes from Commander Video running on his own so you have to concentrate on pulling off actions like jumping and kicking to reach a goal at the end of every stage. As for FATE, it’s just the matter of shooting enemies while taking care with moving the Commander along a preset rail to avoid being hit by shots and hazards.
CORE and VOID stand out for having unusual gameplay styles. In CORE, the object is to shoot at beats by aiming in one of four directions from a stationary reticule and pressing the fire button. Like BEAT and FLUX, the beat patterns in CORE have complex trajectories that can be confusing to follow. VOID requires capturing scrolling black beats with a dark, circular void that can freely move all over the screen while avoiding white beats. Capturing beats increases the size of your void so you must “pop” the void to bank points and decrease the size of your sphere to navigate around the white beat patterns.
What makes every BIT.TRIP title remarkable is having a rhythm element mixed in with the gameplay. Whether you’re repelling beats in FLUX, jumping over obstacles in RUNNER, or killing enemies in FATE, your actions will always be in sync with the music. By playing well, you receive feedback in the form of sound effects that contribute to the soundtrack.
Speaking of the soundtrack, playing SAGA with headphones on is highly recommended. I say that not because it would help you pick up on the rhythm needed for a good performance but to also better hear and appreciate the dynamic soundtrack. Every stage begins with a basic chiptune theme that changes with your progress. Within minutes, that 8-bit ditty you heard at the start becomes a rich electronica track that will make you tap your feet with the music. Hearing these layered changes is satisfying and their upbeat nature motivates you to continue playing.
If you’re new to the BIT.TRIP series, you’re going to have a tough time dealing with the high difficulty found in this and every other game in the series. Figuring out the beat patterns and level layouts is a task that will require repeat playthroughs along with lots of memorization and plenty of Game Overs. Oh, and you better get comfortable, because most levels require at least 15 minutes to beat. RUNNER's stages last around a minute but the number of obstacles crammed in each level make up for the lack of length. Fortunately, there are checkpoints and continues in some games, though using these will drop your score back to zero.
The BIT.TRIP ports are not without flaws, either. The multiplayer features are absent so you’ll have to tough it out and beat each game on your own. The framerate also drops now and then, and while that doesn't affect the gameplay, the FPS dips are jarring and can break your focus. Turning off the 3D effects does help reduce the framerate issues, at least.
Story: The Commander's Journey
Strange as it may sound, there is a story to be found in the BIT.TRIP games. Commander Video’s personal journey to maturation is easily overlooked since plot expositions are very brief and rely on a lot of symbolism early on, which can be hard to interpret, though level names provide some telling clues. Starting with RUNNER, the story becomes much more understandable and takes on a surprisingly emotional tone by the time you’re finishing things up in FLUX. While you are free to jump from one game to another at any time, it’s best to play every game in order (BEAT, CORE, VOID, RUNNER, FATE, FLUX) to get the full effect of the story.
Final Thoughts
BIT.TRIP SAGA is a bargain for 3DS owners. You get six games on one cartridge, and the high difficulty, which can be a bit discouraging at times, extends the overall length by hours. If you're the sort of gamer who likes seeing higher and higher scores, you'll also find enough replayability in BIT.TRIP SAGA. The lack of multiplayer and framerate issues are a total bummer, but not detrimental to the fun you’ll have with SAGA. Definitely give BIT.TRIP SAGA a look if you’re into rhythm games or just a fan of the series.
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