Your Diabolical Pitch is key to clearing out groups of enemies simultaneously (or in quick fashion).Now here’s the kind of Kinect game we haven’t seen much of — one aimed not at the casual crowd, but at hardcore gamers who want a genuinely fun experience with a bit of an edge. If that’s you, then stand up and cheer, because this rookie sensation looks like the genre’s early 2012 MVP.
The best way to describe Diabolical Pitch is as a version of Space Invaders that you play with your body. Granted, the premise is completely different — you’re an ex-ballplayer with a prosthetic arm, hurling baseballs to destroy sinister animal mascots — and a few of the enemies don’t approach you (instead sending projectiles your way). But the core concept is the same: without moving toward them, you must exterminate all incoming attackers using projectiles and other offensive capabilities.
The entire game takes place within a variety of theme-park attractions, including Ferris wheels, roller coasters, and gardens, culminating at a haunted mansion.
Some of the Diabolical Pitches require a timed move to increase power. Hitting “Awesome” is usually a snap.Initially, you’ll eliminate the opposition simply by flinging balls using a throwing motion (which is loosely interpreted and will almost always send a ball toward the nearest threat). As the game rolls on, though, you’ll have to incorporate more strategy, such as using your non-dominant hand to target your enemies’ heads, which helps dispatch them quicker (and is necessary against armored mascots). Likewise, you can pull off a limited number of kicks to knock away closer threats. But the game’s signature Diabolical Pitch is the key to mass destruction, allowing you to perform special attacks like firing cannon shots, dropping a meteor-sized baseball onto foes, or teeing off a rapid barrage of baseballs. As the game throws more and more specialized enemies at you, choosing the right Diabolical Pitch, deploying it at the right time, and prioritizing enemy threats are key to surviving each intense wave.
Though the aiming is solid and the game is usually responsive, we experienced a frustrating encounter from time to time (usually involving your Cannon Ball or adversaries that are too close). Moreover, co-op can be crazy, with each Diabolical Pitch interrupting the action, plus the presence of two players making it harder to determine who enemies are targeting. Still, temporary frustration (and upper-arm pain) will fade as you mow down hordes of blade-throwing rabbits and hammer-toting elephants. Diabolical Pitch may not be a perfect game, but it’s definitely an All-Star effort.
You don’t have to swing your arm forward forcefully, but it does translate to higher recorded speeds, which are averaged out in your scoring summary.PUBLISHER: Microsoft Game Studios • DEVELOPER: Grasshopper Manufacture • ESRB: Mature • MULTIPLAYER: 2 in co-op (local only) • ACHIEVEMENTS: 90% doable • COST: 800 Microsoft Points ($10)
+ A crazy premise that actually works with Kinect and requires strategic thinking.
+ The visual style is par for the Grasshopper course — insane and unforgettable.
– Occasional missed cues during crazier sequences; co-op can be insane.
? Does anyone know a good arm doctor? This game will make you sore.
