Game: Bit.Trip Complete
Console: Nintendo Wii
Developer: Gaijin Games
Release Date: 16th March 2012
Bit.Trip is a series of rhythm games which use a pixel based graphic style and features gameplay inspired by classic arcade titles, in addition to some original ideas. Bit.Trip Complete for the Wii features all 6 games in the series which were originally available via the WiiWare service. Although each game features different controls, ideas and objectives (save for Beat and Flux which are very similar), there are some unifying features of the series.
Each game features modes which change depending on the player's performance. While there are a different number of modes between games, the main ones are Hyper and (which is the starting mode), Nether (which takes the player to a basic black and white version of the game without music or distractions). Anything above these levels adds new musical elements and visuals to the games. If a player continues to do poorly whilst on the Nether mode, they will lose the game. Adjusting the difficulty levels of individual games allows players more chances before hitting the Nether level.
Most games have 3 levels, the last 2 of which are unlocked when players reach them in normal play. The only exceptions to this are Bit.Trip Fate with 6 levels, and Bit.Trip Runner with 36. I'll be reviewing the games in order of original release, and giving independent scores as well as a final overall score.
Bit.Trip Beat
There are quite a few different types of blocks including ones which stop and wait a little before continuing toward your paddle, blocks that bounce several times and blocks which make up a line that must be hit with precision to ensure all of them are returned. Even on the easiest difficulty, the first of the game's three levels is quite a challenge to beat, and it's necessary to complete the first level to progress to the second, so unless you're willing to put in a lot of practice, there's content which will stay locked. In a way I was glad that the game wasn't letting me win, but as there's no checkpoints or continues given to the player to aid them in getting past even the first level it seems a little too challenging.
Rating: 7/10
Bit.Trip Core
Bit.Trip Core has a retro arcade feel to the gameplay, requiring players to intercept blocks passing across the game screen at the correct time. From the base in the centre, players can shoot up, down, left and right to hit blocks passing across each gap. There are a few different blocks which pass through, but the game is mostly about multitasking and being able to spot patterns of blocks early so as not to miss any.
Just like Bit.Trip Beat, Core is fairly difficult to progress through, even on the easiest difficulty level due to the lack of checkpoints and long stages. The bar in the bottom left of the screen keeps track of how far players are through the stage. As you can see there are 8 individual parts to the stage, which takes about 10-15 minutes overall. Keeping concentration and performance up for this long can be challenging and it seems as if the idea is to learn the patterns to progress further.
Rating: 5/10
Bit.Trip Void
Bit.Trip Void requires a nunchuk to be attached to the Wii Remote, or for the player to use a classic controller. This is so that they may move their block around with the control stick. The aim of the game is collect black blocks (which make the player's own block larger), and avoid white blocks whilst doing so. At any time during play, players can pop their block down to its original size and claim points for however large it got.
Stylistically this game resembles a bullet hell shooter, in that players must dodge many white blocks on screen at any one time, while getting into a good position to collect the black blocks. It's fairly intuitive and easy at first, but the difficulty soon picks up. This is the first game in the collection to feature checkpoints between different stages, making it easier to progress to the next level. It's also one of the better games in the collection as a whole.
Rating: 8/10
Bit.Trip Runner
Bit.Trip Runner is possibly the most well known of the games on this collection, as it has spawned a sequel for Xbox 360, PS3 and WiiU. The idea of the game is to control the series mascot, CommanderVideo through a scrolling stage where obstacles appear and must be navigated. Things start out simple with jumps and obstacles to slide under, but soon get more complex with kicks, springboards and blocks needed to keep CommanderVideo running.
One of the biggest downsides to the game is that there are no checkpoints. Players can fail at the final obstacle and still be sent all the way back to the beginning to try again. It's true that this is reminiscent of retro games (as are the difficulty and graphics of the games on this collection), but it's difficult not to be frustrated by longer stages. With 36 levels, this is by far the most fleshed out game in the collection, and the only one to receive a proper sequel.
Rating: 9/10
Bit.Trip Fate
Bit.Trip Fate is a scrolling 2D shooter with elements of a rail shooter, as CommanderVideo can only be moved back and forth along "the vibe" whilst targeting enemies using the Wii Remote's motion control. There are various powerups to collect which improve your shooting power, and a few different types of enemies, each of which drop items which contribute toward increasing the player's mode. Getting hit by enemy bullets will decrease the player's mode.
I found this to be the least interesting of all the games on the collection as it isn't driven by a rhythm element, there isn't a lot to do besides shooting, and and none of its 6 levels are particularly different from one another besides their locations. Although there are boss battles at the end of each part, these aren't as interesting as they could be, and overall the game remains disappointing.
Rating: 5/10
Bit.Trip Flux
The final game in the collection, Bit.Trip Flux is a strange addition to the series. While all of the other games had completely different styles and objectives to one another, this game plays just like Bit.Trip Beat with only a few minor changes. The first is that the game plays from left to right instead of the other way around, all blocks are white, so it's a greater surprise when they do unexpected things, there are new block types, and checkpoints have been added.
I don't think that these additions are enough to distinguish it from Beat as a completely seperate game, but it serves as more of a level pack and reminder of the first game in the series. The checkpoints are useful as they save 10-15 minutes of work being lost due to silly errors, and new patterns and block types give the formula a new lease of life.
Rating: 8/10
Graphically the game presents itself in a simple style with bright colours and interesting backdrops which offset the pixel graphics and basic shapes nicely. Sometimes the game screen can get a little cluttered with effects and bright colours, but this is more a design choice than a mistake. Musically the game features pieces influenced by retro gaming, and most tunes are simple and rhythmic in nature.
Overall Bit.Trip Complete is a useful gathering of all the games in the series which allows players to experience all 6 games without having to purchase them individually. While all of the titles exhibit different playstyles and concepts, the style and tone of the collection as a whole unifies them. Many times whilst playing, I was reminded of retro games due to the appearance, concept, and difficulty of the titles included. While the lack of checkpoints in some games is frustrating, it does hark back to an era where there weren't any.
Rating: 77/100
Grade: B
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