Electronic Arts’ latest kiddie creation is a game called Zubo, but unlike last year’s MySims, it is instantly obvious that this new trademark has had an extra amount of effort included into it during the development process. Unknowledgeable kids and gamers alike could be in for a treat with Zubo, because for once Electronic Arts has been daring enough to try something different. So now just sit back, relax, and read on in order to find out if Zubo is just another shovelware title you can pass up, or if it really is worth your hard-earned cash.

Zubo is an RPG that disposes of all the usual town sections, and instead purely focuses on dungeon crawling and musical battles. In this mixed genre game there are pill shaped characters known as Zubo who battle each other for the sake of good and evil. The storyline is aimed at younger audiences, and will no doubt be entertaining to them, but totally irrelevant to anyone who is six years of age and above. The majority of the game involves players adventuring through a regular line up of themed worlds, and also a few unexpected ones. In addition to the themed worlds there are also many themed Zubos to collect such as a rapper, kung fu master and even a British pop Zubo who is eerily similar to Posh Spice. These various themes mean Zubos all have a different set of moves, giving them many advantages and disadvantages in battle.

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But however you look at it, the battle system in Zubo is the stand-out quality of the title. It is a genius idea that makes every single battle an absolute joy to play through and creates a style that competes with the very best RPG games. The reason why the battle system is so good is because it utilises the touch screen in a fun and unique fashion rather than just using it for command selections.

These battles involve players tapping to the rhythm with the stylus in order to execute Zubo moves. When a move has been selected a yellow-lined beat timer appears around a Zubo and slowly moves inwards to the character outline. At this point players must tap on the Zubo in order to successfully complete a move. As the game goes on more advanced moves are introduced into the battle system and the tapping turns into a toned down version of Elite Beat Agents. The battles are complimented by cartoony visuals and deliberately over-exaggerated Zubo movements, all of which are sure to entertain children. Also using items or optional extras is a breeze with the assistance of the touch screen.

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Unlike the battle system, the adventuring side of Zubo becomes a repetitive experience after an hour or so. The game maps are laid out in a linear format meaning most of the game is spent moving from point A to B completing lame objectives so more Zubos can join the team. These objectives mainly consist of collecting items to restore Zubos to their former selves, but aside from that there isn’t much else on offer in the adventure section of the game.

Unfortunately, the repetition in the adventure mode seems to have rubbed off on the game’s soundtrack. The tunes in Zubo are funky at first, but once they have been heard a couple of times they grow old quickly. Luckily though, the soundtrack doesn’t lower the battle system experience to much.

In summary, if gamers can overlook the fact Electronic Arts have developed this game for younger owners of the DS, then they just might be able to bear with this title, because hidden beneath its childish coverings and crappy adventuring sections is a game with an innovative battle system. For children this game is highly recommended and for anyone else this game is worth renting based on its ingenious battle system.

By Liam Doolan

The Verdict

Graphics: B

Harsh edges, very polygonal, but passable.

Sound: C

Repetitive, repetitive, repetitive.

Gameplay: A

Fantastic battle system that is let down by the adventuring part of the game.

Overall: B

Children will love it, gamers will appreciate it.