Feel the Magic XY/XX (AKA Project Rub) Nintendo DS

**Neil** · 02-22-2005

Feel the Magic XY/XX is the most innovative game I have played for years. Taking full advantage of almost all of the new Nintendo DS’s features means there’s a lot of fun to be had in the strangest way possible. This is a Japanese game at heart, with the most surprising aspect being that it made its way to North America.

The Japanese style of the game is presented immediately. The unique visual flavour, along with a very similar soundtrack create an interesting setting for all who play, which is as engrossing as any handheld title could be. Vivid colours, sleek semi-3D worlds and some of the best sound effects I’ve ever come across on a portable title all add to the atmosphere. This game produces the same ‘wow’ effect as Parappa the Rapper did many years ago on PSone. The sound compliments the on-screen action perfectly. Crazy Japanese music from the 1960s along with humorous voice acting makes this one of the DS’s best sounding launch titles.

Feel the Magic’s diversity doesn’t stop at graphics and sound. The game features a polished story mode, which while weird, is definitely engrossing. In no other game can you bowl over pedestrians, hold hands with beautiful women and physically blow out candles. The story itself tells of a young man smitten with love for a woman he passes in the street, and his attempts to win her affections by doing crazy things. In no time, he’s fighting off killer plants and dangerous bees on her behalf. It’s quite farfetched, and certainly quirky, with the entire game being a collection of mini-games.

The way it’s made up (a collection of small mini-games) means that many people will feel that each event feels disjointed from the previous. A small cut scene is all that players receive in the way of storytelling, and this alone does not feel enough. The game failed to convince me just why the beautiful stranger I passed on the street chose me to be her lover. Granted, it is unique, but this alone does not fill the holes in the game’s plot.

The mini-games themselves are extremely fun, with most having a good replay value through the game’s ‘memories’ mode which adds an extra five levels to each. All seem like a technical demonstration of the DS’s unique features, with a good quantity making use of the touch screen. This in itself may not be a bad thing – the game will continually reward players with new and innovative games as they progress.

Progress, on the other hand, does not come easily in Feel the Magic XY/XX. The game can become extremely frustrating with a few mini-games requiring an extremely nimble pair of hands. While these difficulties can eventually be overcome, the boredom created by replaying the same mini-game ten or more times can see frustration reach a level where the console is powered off. These mini-games will rarely see the light of day in the replay ‘Memories’ mode on anyone’s DS, if ever.

The game does an excellent job of explaining each mini-game to players. A small classroom like screen is displayed which gives a detailed description of how to play, along with a number of example images. Reading the ‘blurb’ at the bottom of the screen will ensure that you cannot play the game in the wrong way.

Much has been made of Feel the Magic’s $29.99 price point and I can safely say that this game warrants every penny spent on it. In my opinion, the game shouldn’t have a reduced price tag, and would even be worth the extra $10 which is charged for most other DS titles.

Feel the Magic XY/XX is the best game available on Nintendo DS by a long way. Its innovation is unsurpassed on any format, and while it may not be a game to show off to friends, the unique style creates a truly memorable experience.

This review was published using Gamespot.com's reader reviews feature. Did you find it helpful? Why not trust my judgement? Head over to the review page and hit "trust user" at the bottom.

03-14-2005

Yeah its alright, i have more fun playing WarioWare Touched, but Feel the magic is more relzexed, u can chill with that game, warioware gets hectic.

pitchshifter_psi · 04-06-2005

project rub as its known over here in the UK is a brilliant game its very clever and very interesting. well done sega for making it happen.

02-22-2005	#1
Neil Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dundee, United Kingdom Posts: 3,699	Feel the Magic XY/XX (AKA Project Rub) Nintendo DS Feel the Magic XY/XX is the most innovative game I have played for years. Taking full advantage of almost all of the new Nintendo DS’s features means there’s a lot of fun to be had in the strangest way possible. This is a Japanese game at heart, with the most surprising aspect being that it made its way to North America. The Japanese style of the game is presented immediately. The unique visual flavour, along with a very similar soundtrack create an interesting setting for all who play, which is as engrossing as any handheld title could be. Vivid colours, sleek semi-3D worlds and some of the best sound effects I’ve ever come across on a portable title all add to the atmosphere. This game produces the same ‘wow’ effect as Parappa the Rapper did many years ago on PSone. The sound compliments the on-screen action perfectly. Crazy Japanese music from the 1960s along with humorous voice acting makes this one of the DS’s best sounding launch titles. Feel the Magic’s diversity doesn’t stop at graphics and sound. The game features a polished story mode, which while weird, is definitely engrossing. In no other game can you bowl over pedestrians, hold hands with beautiful women and physically blow out candles. The story itself tells of a young man smitten with love for a woman he passes in the street, and his attempts to win her affections by doing crazy things. In no time, he’s fighting off killer plants and dangerous bees on her behalf. It’s quite farfetched, and certainly quirky, with the entire game being a collection of mini-games. The way it’s made up (a collection of small mini-games) means that many people will feel that each event feels disjointed from the previous. A small cut scene is all that players receive in the way of storytelling, and this alone does not feel enough. The game failed to convince me just why the beautiful stranger I passed on the street chose me to be her lover. Granted, it is unique, but this alone does not fill the holes in the game’s plot. The mini-games themselves are extremely fun, with most having a good replay value through the game’s ‘memories’ mode which adds an extra five levels to each. All seem like a technical demonstration of the DS’s unique features, with a good quantity making use of the touch screen. This in itself may not be a bad thing – the game will continually reward players with new and innovative games as they progress. Progress, on the other hand, does not come easily in Feel the Magic XY/XX. The game can become extremely frustrating with a few mini-games requiring an extremely nimble pair of hands. While these difficulties can eventually be overcome, the boredom created by replaying the same mini-game ten or more times can see frustration reach a level where the console is powered off. These mini-games will rarely see the light of day in the replay ‘Memories’ mode on anyone’s DS, if ever. The game does an excellent job of explaining each mini-game to players. A small classroom like screen is displayed which gives a detailed description of how to play, along with a number of example images. Reading the ‘blurb’ at the bottom of the screen will ensure that you cannot play the game in the wrong way. Much has been made of Feel the Magic’s $29.99 price point and I can safely say that this game warrants every penny spent on it. In my opinion, the game shouldn’t have a reduced price tag, and would even be worth the extra $10 which is charged for most other DS titles. Feel the Magic XY/XX is the best game available on Nintendo DS by a long way. Its innovation is unsurpassed on any format, and while it may not be a game to show off to friends, the unique style creates a truly memorable experience. This review was published using Gamespot.com's reader reviews feature. Did you find it helpful? Why not trust my judgement? Head over to the review page and hit "trust user" at the bottom.

04-06-2005	#3
pitchshifter_psi Hey Snake, there are lasers there. Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Swindon, wilts, england, UK Posts: 386	project rub as its known over here in the UK is a brilliant game its very clever and very interesting. well done sega for making it happen. __________________ My friend JOEY sewed his hands together!

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03-14-2005	#2
OkComputer Posts: n/a	Yeah its alright, i have more fun playing WarioWare Touched, but Feel the magic is more relzexed, u can chill with that game, warioware gets hectic.