First, a little background: I first played Fantasia: Music Evolved at E3 in 2013. The game was on the still-wonky XBox ONE, which hadn’t been released yet to the general public. The concept was strong, the game itself a work of art, but the interface kept giving out, leading the embarrassed crew from Harmonix restarting the game over and over. It was a shame, I thought. I hoped they could fix it. I really, really liked what I’d seen in terms of what the game COULD be. They just seemed to be having trouble with what it WAS.
I next saw it at E3 the following year, and was deeply impressed by the improvements. Not only had it been fixed, but it had “Evolved”, much like the title. It was much more obedient to commands. There were beautiful, and even some CUTE new worlds. More music had been added into the mix – classical music and “Disney Channel pop”, yes, but also current hits and some fantastic classic songs. It’s the perfect Kinect game.
This evolution from film to game was so fascinating, Disney and Harmonix released a 10-part YouTube documentary about it: Fantasia: Music Evolved Developer Diaries
So when Dusty said, “I have a review copy of Fantasia: Music Evolved. Do you w-” “YES!” I yelled.
The game fired up quickly, none of the screens had a long load time, which is great, especially considering the complexity of the graphics. The music is fantastic. If you don’t have your “good speakers” plugged in, plug them in for this one. I first went with my old standby, The Shoal, and played a mostly metal version of Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. I also saved a later, better version to keep forever and ever, because it’s really wonderful.
The controls are intuitive. it’s a lot easier to get “lost in the music”, which one of the developers told me at the D23 Expo was one of the goals they wanted to hit. Being able to play and flail around (other players, I’m sure, are much more graceful at this than I am) from classical to classic rock to music from now. I never imagined in a million years that the music that was on the radio when I was in high school would be part of Fantasia – and that I’d be able to manipulate the components of it, either.
In the game, you are Yen Sid’s assistant – the Sorcerer’s Apprentice, as you were, but not THAT Sorcerer’s Apprentice. In fact, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is not even on the game soundtrack, which seems odd to me. You have to return music and color to ten different “worlds” by conducting – and mixing – music. And this is where it differs from games like Guitar Hero. Not only are you hitting all the right notes at the right time, but you’re also deciding how to mix the music – literally picking styles like metal, ska, etc. to change the very soul of the song you’re working with.
The result: Disney capital-m Magic. The game works well with its interface. It has a story compelling enough to make you want to do everything Yen Sid tasks you with, but not so convoluted that it distracts from the actual gameplay. Even younger players will be able to keep up, and older players won’t be bored.
But, please, Disney/Harmonix, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – for me?
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