When you think of Game Freak, what do you think of? Probably this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C19O5xm51dk

But they also released another gem on the eshop a few years ago called Harmoknight...and it’s brilliant. The premise, simple; the controls, easy; and the characters; likable. Everything a child would want from a Nintendo product. But it can be treacherously difficult for those who do not have a sense of rhythm.

To complete each level, you simply have to get to the finish line. That’s it. But according to how well you do, you may receive one of three ratings: So-so, Good, or Great.

So-so. Merely complete the level poorly to receive this rating.
Good. Complete the level with a certain amount of “notes” to get this.
Great. Complete the level with a near-perfect or perfect amount of notes to get this.

The notes for the ratings are obtained by executing actions with great timing.

The controls are simple: You press B to jump and Y to attack. Much like Mario, you can make use of X and A instead. Holding the attack button will allow you to perform a super strike that will gain double notes when unleashed.

The game is split across seven worlds, each with different types of levels. These levels are also split into seven types, listed below:

Regular. These levels are the most common. In these levels you jump and hit to the beat. You can power up your staff in these levels.

Mine Cart. These levels are completed in a mine cart. You can move the mine cart up and down and attack while in the down position. These are generally the easiest levels of the game, and may not require near-perfect timing to get a perfect rating.

Stadium: These levels consist of a circular stadium. Merely make your way around the stadium to complete the level. These can be difficult, but aren’t particularly tricky.

Mini-boss: A fight against minions. These often work to prepare you for the upcoming boss fight in a world. A perfect note score is needed to get a “Great” rating.

Boss: A fight against a boss. These often require very precise timing to complete, and are quite cinematic. A perfect note score is needed to get a “Great” rating.

Dance: These levels are found in World 3. You press directions and buttons to the beat in order to dance. A perfect note score is needed to get a “Great” rating.

Clockwork: These levels appear later on. In these levels, you progress around a clock tower of sorts to the beat. The music changes tempo at sections, so be careful!

Two bonus segments are unlocked in certain ways:

pokemon : These levels have you attacking to the beat of music from Pokemon! A new level is unlocked after completing each world.

Sky World: This “special” world is unlocked upon finding five birds hidden in levels found in the five major worlds (1, 3, 4, 5, 7 if I remember correctly). The levels are the hardest in the game.

There are also two other characters (in addition to the main character, Tempo) you will draw on over the course of the game: Lyra and Tyko.

Lyra: Attacks with her harp at long distance by pressing the attack button. Dodges like Mega Man by pressing the jump button

Tyko: Attacks with drum sticks at the bottom (attack) and with cymbals at the top (jump).

They will appear occasionally throughout certain levels to replace Tempo. Tempo always finishes the level, however.

The style of the game is fantastic and is quite vibrant throughout. I enjoyed the style much more than I did that of KI: Uprising’s. It emulates a comic book. Boss characters roar and shoot as text is displayed in a comic style. It really sells the game quite well, along with the visuals.

But the gameplay is basically perfect. Completing levels with a near-perfect sense of timing is quite rewarding, and feels exciting in a way that few other games can produce. It is a poster boy of a dying breed (the rhythm game). I wish there was more to it. The levels are short, but feel wonderful.

There are about 60 levels in all, I believe, and every level can be replayed at 2X speed if a “Great” rating is earned. These are quite challenging, and very frustrating at times. But for those who love the game, they are perhaps essential.

Overall, I enjoyed this game more than KI: Uprising. I’m regretting that “10” now, although I must admit that KI has much more content and length. But what a rush this game is!

I give it a 9.5, with 0.5 to grow on.

Nota Bene: I hesitated rating certain sections. This game is difficult to rate, since the public in general has little experience with rhythm games. So I rated them how I did.

I liked how you did this review. You gave us some decent info about the game while still putting in an opinion of your own which is something that not many people do. Though you did not give enough of your opinion and you mostly gave info about the game. I would like to see how the games sound is too. I did not really see much of the sound talk.
 
I still liked the review though since it was short and gave good info and good opinions. 

I have this game, and I just finished it recently. (That final boss though...too hard.) This is definitley my favorite rhythm game, and I still play it even today. This was a great review, thank you for making this, and I can't wait to see what you review next!

awesomeguy279 :
LunarDarkness2 :

Thanks you guys! Feel free to friend me if you want to stay updated. I probably won't post a review over the next week (I have an assignment due soon), but I'll be reviewing a lot afterwards.