Taking a closer look at Helix
While some of you remain skeptical about Helix, we're definitely interested in Ghostfire Games' upcoming WiiWare title. Essentially, everything you need to know about the game is revealed by Ed Roman in this producer walkthrough (embedded up top).
Ghostfire is really stressing the whole "exercise made fun" angle, and with the success of titles like DDR and Wii Fit, who can blame them? What we like most about Helix, though, is that the developers clearly put a lot of thought into every aspect of this dancing game. Take, for example, the calibration option, which helps the software map out your own specific movement quirks more easily. (MotionPlus, schmotionplus.) Also, according to Roman, you can still play the game if you only have one Wiimote, so if you lack two controllers that's not a game-killing issue.
If you're curious about how the developers fit twenty-six songs onto a WiiWare title, or why they decided to use two Wiimotes rather than a Wiimote/Nunchuk combination, or anything else about Helix, for that matter, just check out the video above.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Matt @ Jul 30th 2008 10:21AM
Nice...
I wish all titles had reviews that were this in-depth!
Makes me almost want to buy it.....even more than before...
Later,
Matt!
MagNet @ Jul 30th 2008 4:25PM
Yeah, the presentation's very well done. There's a feature lacking though, one that would allow them to have, say 100 songs in it - SD card support! 26 songs isn't too much really, and I just love adding songs to games like Stepmania, why don't allow it here I dunno, maybe to have a reason for a sequel, I guess.
ghostfire @ Jul 31st 2008 6:47AM
Well, we had considered the SD card option, which was promptly shot down for two reasons:
1) We don't want to have anyone even think of suing us if we can.
2) Nintendo said no. (for various technical and legal reasons)
Kai Cherry @ Aug 25th 2008 3:31PM
I'm a software dev too. People would not *believe* how often the above two points drive development :)
I think Im going to pick this one up. Thanks for the in-depth postmortem and for taking the time to comment here.
Good luck with the title!
-K
CJLopez @ Sep 7th 2008 2:53AM
Just try it!!
Man, just 4 songs and In was sweating like if I were on a gym for half a hour
The game is great, and man, the songs are quite good
Chris @ Sep 26th 2008 9:50PM
Wow, I had not heard of Helix before, but watched the video-prolly the best ad for a game I have seen, I am going to buy this game, and I really suck at this type of game. The full and complete explanations of the whole product complemented by excellent production of people playing the game pretty much sold me ($10 price helps too). maybe for the sequel you would consider an attractive lady instead of a robot though? ;) maybe make different "models" unlockable rewards. Very nice looking game well done