Release Date: May 26, 2016
Developed by the Taiwanese studio Rayark, VOEZ is an arcade rhythm game available on mobile devices. The game tells the story of Chelsea - a high school student, who loves to sing and decides to form a band with five of her friends. The player learns about the group’s successes from Chelsea’s journal, the entries of which can be unlocked as the story progresses. One’s objective is to help the young musicians in their rehearsals and concerts.
VOEZ is an arcade rhythm game in which players have to set the right rhythm or tap the proper sounds at the exact time. Creators from the Taiwanese studio Rayark Inc. have already developed two similar games: Cytus and Deemo. All of these games are available on SWITCH, iOS and AND and are based on a free-to-play business model with some optional microtransactions.
The game tells a story of Chelsea – a high school student, who loves to sing. Along with five of her friends she decides to form a band – the titular VOEZ. Chelsea becomes the lead singer and the leader of the band. A player learns about the group’s adventures from Chelsea’s journal, in which all the entries can be unlocked for points one acquires during the game for e.g. performing certain combos, as well as for the time spent on playing the game.
One’s objective is to help young musicians in their rehearsals and concerts. After selecting from a long list of songs and adjusting the difficulty level, one can see an animation of the chosen song with the music in the background, and it is up to the player to react to the ‘notes’ falling from the top of the screen – red squares with black borders need to be quickly tapped or swiped to the side of the screen. One can replay any song as much as they want to improve the score. A player can use either one, or both their hands to play this game, depending on the individual preferences.
For those who play as ‘Guests’, the game offers a single player mode. After creating an account, one can play the multiplayer mode and try their skills in competing against other players from all around the world. In the multiplayer mode, one can propose a song to his opponent, and after playing it, players compare their scores. The tournament mode, however, allows players to participate in rhythm duels in real time.
The game features manga aesthetics with graphics resembling watercolor paintings. Soft tones of the animations contrast with the lively colors of the gameplay elements. Developers assure that their game stands out from similar games because of its ever-expanding playlist, now featuring songs of several dozen performers (mainly Asian ones). Each month, players receive new songs with an option to purchase access to some additional ones for a small fee – players with high scores can unlock certain songs for free.
Game Ratings for VOEZ Video Game.
CGMagazine: 8 / 10 by Derek Heemsbergen
A surprisingly strong contender in the Nintendo Switch launch library, VOEZ is well worth its modest asking price for rhythm fans who need to scratch that IIDX itch.
Nintendo Insider: 8 / 10 by Alex Seedhouse
With plentiful content in a range of energetic music styles, VOEZ astounds and enchants in equal measure to deliver a rhythm game that deserves your attention.
Cubed3: 7 / 10 by Az Elias
Whilst not a lot happens on-screen during tracks, the presentation is still lovely and vibrant, with colours and panels changing and shifting in time with the great range of music on offer. Although VOEZ doesn't really lend itself well to long periods of play, many of the tracks are short enough that it can be played in quick bursts now and then, perhaps unlocking the generic light-hearted visual novel in the process. Comfort is a point of contention, but the concept is so incredibly simple and appealing that just about anybody will be able to pick up and enjoy tapping away to these beats. A welcome addition to the genre and the Switch library.
Average score from votes.
![[1:10] trailer #1](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/531887890.jpg)
