RhythmStar Catch Review
iPhone App
$0.99 Buy now!

RhythmStar Catch Review

Our Review by Jennifer Allen on March 7th, 2012
Rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar :: UNEXCITING
Share This:

Zany to look at but pretty dull to play.

Developer: ANBSoft
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 1.1
Device Reviewed On: iPhone 4

Graphics / Sound Rating: starstarstarhalfstarblankstar
Game Controls Rating: starstarhalfstarblankstarblankstar
Gameplay Rating: starstarhalfstarblankstarblankstar
Replay Value Rating: starstarhalfstarblankstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarblankstarblankstar


RhythmStar Catch is one of the more colorful looking titles out on the App Store at the moment. That zany appearance and style is indicative of its Korean origins, an area of the world known for its unique style compared to the Western way of gaming. It's unfortunate then that this quirky and fun look doesn't translate to quirky and fun gameplay. Under the surface, RhythmStar Catch is just a little bit unexciting.

From the offset, RhythmStar Catch irritates mildly. Requiring an account to be registered in order to place on a high score leaderboard isn't a new concept but being forced to do so without any real explanation isn't the ideal way of doing things. That's without considering that Game Center or OpenFeint support would have rectified this and been much more appealing to regular gamers.

The rest of the game is similarly peculiar, invoking a few moments where one can't help but question the choices made by the developer team. The core structure behind the game has potential, it just lacks some much needed polish and a strong control system. All things that are a little too noticeable.

The player controls quirky looking Rhythm-E as they seek out to save their friends across the universe. This is done through the use of rays. One sliding mechanism controls moving from left to right while a ray button sends a grabbing mechanism downwards in order to collect arrows. These arrows can then be flung to the bottom of the screen so that they can clear obstructions in the way of Rhythm-E's friends, as well as collectible stars.

It sounds like a reasonable concept but it gets boring too fast. There's not really any puzzle solving element behind it. It's just about speed. Crucially, the controls are a hinderance more than anything. Sliding from left to right with a small button is restrictive with the ability to use the whole screen to slide, or even tilt controls being closer to ideal. Dodging asteroids while adhering to a tight time limit AND collecting stars and friends, is tricky business. Challenging is fine but it feels like more of a battle for fairness than genuine challenge.

60 levels are available in all, as well as a Bomb mode that's mostly more of the same, so there is good value for money, but it'll take a patient sort to keep playing. The visual style may be wonderful to look at but everything else is pretty lacking.

iPhone Screenshots

(click to enlarge)

RhythmStar Catch screenshot 1 RhythmStar Catch screenshot 2 RhythmStar Catch screenshot 3 RhythmStar Catch screenshot 4
Share This: