E3 2012: Demon’s Score is Absolutely Bananas

My biggest E3 2012 surprise so far is how much I enjoyed Demon’s Score from Square Enix. The iOS game is tucked away in a quiet corner of the publisher’s massive booth, in the midst of nearly a dozen other iOS offerings. But I expect the title to earn much more buzz once more gamers get their hands on it.

The game might best be described as one part Elite Beat Agents-style action rhythm, and one part on-rails lightgun shooter. Circles appear on-screen, and must be tapped in time with the music. Red circles simply have to be tapped at the proper moment. Blue circles must be swiped in a specific direction. And finally large “critical hit” circles appear at key moments and must be furiously tapped as many times as possible within a short time limit.

The twist is that each accurate hit whittles down your demonic opponent’s health bar. All of the game’s musical stages are essentially boss fights against a different fiend, and the rhythm beats the players must tap are actually devilish enemies being dispatched.

This premise is already very cool on its own, and a perfect fit for a touch-screen interface. But what sends Demon’s Score over the edge is its completely over-the-top presentation and voice acting. Levels begin with a gleeful “Let the chaos begin!” One enemy exclaims unironically “I am fated to die… a lonely death!” Making something weird and kinetic walks a fine line between memorable and trying too hard, but so far Demon’s Score appears to be on the right side of that line.

IGN will have more on Demon’s Score, including a price and release date, as soon as it becomes available.



Source : ign[dot]com