
Rhythm-based platformer Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight is a new IP from Game Freak, the developer behind the Pokémon series. It was released in Japan last August and will be jiving on over to North America and Europe in March.
As the release is almost upon us, Nintendo President Satoru Iwata has put on his interviewing cap once more and has spoken to some of the developers about it in the latest Iwata Asks.
Of course Game Freak has another game coming out later this year, with Pokémon X & Y, and executive director Junichi Masuda said that the studio had split resources to ensure the upcoming 3DS title wouldn't be affected:
We are absolutely committed to meeting our fans’ expectations. We can’t exactly leave Pokémon to one side while we work on other games!
Masuda revealed that Game Freak has made a few changes and has seemingly been inspired by Google's '20% time' programme, which allows staff members to spend 20% of their working hours on their own projects.
We decided to change the internal structure of the company so that we could initiate new projects while still being able to give our all on Pokémon titles. We have structured things so that if you come up with an idea for a game, you can write a proposal for it; if you can then get two other people to support it, you will be given three months to make it.
HarmoKnight is the first game to come of this new system, with the idea soon taking off. The game's director James Turner, originally from England, was the man who had the bright idea and he detailed the initial concept, saying that it wasn't always rhythm-based:
I initially wanted to make a very simple action platformer. I was thinking about how to make it as simple as possible, and I decided that using just a single button to play would make it appealing even to people who aren’t very good at video games. It presented a really interesting challenge.
Shigeru Ohmori, the game's planner, revealed that HarmoKnight is aimed at all kinds of gamers, those who are dedicated players and those who may not be used to them as much. He said that the level of difficulty can be set accordingly so everyone can get enjoyment out of it:
As long as you don’t get hit by enemies and lose all of your hearts, you can keep progressing through the levels. Of course, if you do strike the flowers, you’ll get a higher score.
The game will have a large range of music genres within it, with Turner saying that each world in the game will have its own theme, whether it be classical, rock or calypso. It seems likely that players will end up having varying favourite worlds based on their music tastes.
Also revealed in the interview was more information on the boss battles, during which the enemy attacks you in a particular rhythmic order. Players have to respond to this by countering with the same attacks in the same order - defeating the boss if they are successful.
HarmoKnight features a few songs people may be familiar with, as Game Freak decided to include some Pokémon tracks. However, the decision wasn't taken lightly and Ohmori confirmed that the team was "extremely apprehensive about it".
James and I discussed it a great deal. We thought that a lot of players would find it unnatural to suddenly hear Pokémon music in a game set in an unrelated fantasy world, especially when the main game has a plot. But as an experiment, we included one Pokémon song, and it actually turned out to be really fun.
Ohmori also confirmed that HarmoKnight will run at 60 frames per second, with the rhythm action honed to within one-sixtieth of a second - pretty impressive stuff.
Rhythm Hunter: HarmoKnight will launch in North America on 28th March, with the game arriving in Europe on an unspecified date this month. The developer also confirmed that a demo would be made available shortly before release - any time now then.
Are you looking forward to playing through HarmoKnight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
[source nintendo.co.uk]
Comments 29
This is good, maybe they can make another Drill Dozer or Pulseman, or prehaps another new game, that would be great.
This will be the first eshop game ill buy since Bomb Monkey
Oh. This is not out yet. I thought the demo was out this week. I'm really excited for this game!!
Good, we can now have new original games from gamefreak.
I'll download th demo as soon as it is available
@CrimsonFire13 Wow, in that case you have missed some great games. I recommend Gunman Clive and Crimson Shroud, they are my favorite eshop games.
I am very eager to try out the demo of this game. The theme of the game has me captivated and the main characters are really interesting. I have high hopes for this game.
@CrimsonFire13 Gonna have to agree with DarkCool, you've been missing out homie. The 3DS eshop is murder on my wallet.
Really looking forward to this one.
I do love a good rhythm game.
HarmoKnight is literally one of my most anticipated games of 2013. I cannot wait for it.
i am not a fan of rhythm games in general, but this one intrigues me.
Definitely going to get this when I get a new SD Card and eShop Pre-Paid Card!
Drill Dozer 2 please!! I found the first one a few years back for $10 new at a local Future Shop. Soooooo much fun.
they haven't made a new game that wasn't pokemon since the SNES
Pulseman 2 with 3D would look sooo good.
@Banjogeek You might want to look up Drill Dozer. The game is awesome.
Can't to try the demo of this game next week, the game looks really entertaining to play! I love rythym based platformers like Bit. Trip.
I am sooooo looking forward to this game!
@Spark_Of_Spirit you took the words right outta my mouth.
@ToWhomItMayConcernAtGamefreak please begin work on a worthy sequel to Drill Dozer! It's one of the best GBA titles ever.
This has been on my insta-buy list for some time now, definitely getting the demo. I'm also with everyone who loved Drill Dozer!
I can't wait for this! What do you guys think it'll cost?
@JMDS: It's $14.99.
i thought the idea was brilliant the moment i saw gameplay footage of this game. has me intrigued. i can't wait when this comes out in the U.K.
The game reminds me of Bit.Trip runner...
That's a good thing
This is a Day One buy for me. My daily Tweet plan worked!
Okay probably not, but still, HELL yeah.
I am really looking forward to this! I really like rhythm games!
Haven't played a rhythm game in a while. Hope this will be worth it.
Maybe. I'll have to be well entertained by the demo, to warrant a purchase. There's other eShop stuff I want already, & Bit.Trip Saga might actually take care of any rhythm-based gameplay itch I have.
@Spark_Of_Spirit: I'd go for that, if done right. The original needed more enemies to fight, or cleverly get around. But, I still like it, for what it is.
I was initially skeptical of this game, but I saw the new trailer in the eShop and it is really looking good. I will try to eventually purchase it.
I'm looking forward to this.
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