BIT.TRIP is a series of six planned games from Gaijin Games, each featuring a different rhythm based gameplay mechanic set against retro graphics and chiptunes. The first four games in the series have already been released for the Nintendo Wii via the WiiWare service to considerable applause, and BIT.TRIP BEAT, the first game in the series, has now appeared as both iPhone and iPad editions, adding online leaderboards and multiplayer using Game Center, and three packs of three new levels each as in-app purchases.
BIT.TRIP BEAT is played by moving a paddle on the left side of the screen to bounce away increasingly complex waves of incoming blocks. The paddle can be controlled either by touch or by tilting the device. I found the touch method to be more precise, especially on the larger and more unwieldy iPad. Each level is several minutes long and is timed to the beat of the background chip music. The better you do, the better the music sounds. Perform poorly enough, and the colorful graphics are reduced to plain black and white and the music is replaced by flat, monotonic beeps.
Though the gameplay is fun and the music is as catchy as game music gets, the levels are all extremely challenging. Expect to see multiple Game Overs before completing the game’s original three levels. Each level is also more than 5 minutes long without any checkpoints, so you’ll spend a lot of time replaying sections you’ve already perfected many attempts ago only to fail at the same hard part several minutes in. Still, punishing difficulty is a big part of nostalgia when it comes to video games — Remember Battletoads? — so if you’re the type who finds modern games too easy, you’ll be right at home here.
Apart from screen resolution and price ($1.99 for the iPhone and $3.99 for the iPad), the two versions of BIT.TRIP BEAT are identical, which makes the higher priced iPad version somewhat of a tough sell, especially given that the current prices are part of an introductory 50% off sale. Still, the game does look fantastic on the iPad screen, and considering the developers put just as much love into the game’s aesthetics as they did into the gameplay, this just might justify the higher price for a lot of people. Regardless, if you have a soft spot for retro stylings and chip music like I do, BIT.TRIP BEAT is a worthwhile purchase no matter what you play it on.
BIT.TRIP BEAT and BIT.TRIP BEAT HD are available on the App Store for introductory prices of $1.99 and $3.99, respectively.
BIT.TRIP BEAT and BIT.TRIP BEAT HD were provided by developer Gaijin Games for review on Just Another iPhone Blog. For further information regarding our site ‘s review policies, please see the ‘About ‘ page.
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