Feel the Magic: XY/XX (DS)

CNET editors' rating: 3.5 stars Very good
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Overall score: 7.7 (3.5 stars)
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Product summary

Gamespot editors' review

• Reviewed by: Ricardo Torres
• Reviewed on: 11/19/2004
• Updated on: 12/10/2004
• Released on: 11/16/2004

Over the years, Sega has managed to offer players some pretty unique experiences that have ranged from fighting aliens through dance to introducing the concept of the maraca as a game peripheral. If there's one thing Sega's development teams like, it's doing things a little differently. The latest case for such an argument is Feel the Magic: XY/XX, Sonic Team's launch title for the Nintendo DS that marries Sega's quirky innovation with the DS's unique dual display and touch-screen functionality. Essentially a collection of minigames tied together by the age-old story of unrequited love, Feel the Magic: XY/XX ends up providing an engaging experience that is more than the sum of its parts.

Feel the Magic is a collection of minigames with a really crazy story attached.

The most striking aspect of the game is its unique visual presentation, which uses a brightly colored art deco style with a '60s flair. The graphics are by no means cutting edge, but their flat-shaded look and smooth animation work well together. The story will play out through a mix of animated sequences and sequential still imagery that is well done but can be, on occasion, downright surreal. The clear audio complements the presentation with catchy go-go style music and clear voice samples that have a heavy Japanese influence. There isn't a whole lot to the game's audio, though.

The other appealing aspect is the unique gameplay, which uses just about everything the DS has to offer, with the exception of its wireless functionality. The story sequences will play out from the top to the bottom screen, primarily using still images but occasionally throwing in some moving bodies as well, just to keep things interesting. The gameplay makes exclusive use of the touch screen and the DS's stylus, since all the minigames require you to tap or rub the screen regularly. In addition, the game even makes use of the DS's built-in microphone both for gameplay and for fun, because some of the minigames require you to blow or speak into it. Furthermore, you can record a second and a half of your own voice to loop into its music, which is an interesting throwaway feature. Finally, the game even uses the DS's Game Boy Advance compatibility by reading GBA carts in the unit to then unlock some bonus content. Simply boot the game up with specific Sega GBA carts in it, and the game will automatically unlock something for you to use to customize one of the female characters in Feel the Magic.

So how does all the above gel into a proper game? Well, the simple story casts you in the role of a shy, ordinary boy who happens to see a comely lass on the streets. And faster than you can say "stalker," he instantly becomes smitten with her. From that point forward, your focus, and the focus of your adventure in the game, revolves around winning your special lady's affections in the face of all odds. Thankfully, you're inducted into the superperformance group The Rub Rabbits, whose shenanigans will surely win your lady's attentions. As everyone knows, the best way to win a woman's heart is to perform bizarre feats while wearing rabbit ears. A dramatic twist is thrown into the story when you find that you have a portly rival who is also eager for the object of your affections. However, rather than take your bizarre approach by dressing up like a rabbit and performing odd feats while stalking her, this guy just decides to express himself by kidnapping her. While this is admittedly not the best way to get a girl's attention, it certainly doesn't leave much room for misinterpretation.

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	$19.99	Yes
	$31.99	Yes

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