Game developer Harmonix has been dormant for some time when it comes to big, new titles. Its last attempt to create a shiny new rhythm property wasSuper Beat Sportsback in 2017, which came and, sadly, went. Now Harmonix is creating a new type of rhythm game that puts a different spin on things.
The game is calledFuser, and it puts players in the shoes of a DJ playing to a massive audience.Fuseris vibrant and colorful, boasting over 100 songs from famous artists. The premise is that players will be fusing these songs into a harmonious beat to keep the crowd happy.
RELATED:Rock Band 4 Removes Lizzo Song
Fuserwas announced with a reveal trailerback in February, and showed off some graphics, if not samples of gameplay. That has changed with the reveal of theFusergameplay trailer, which dives a bit more into what players can expect. The first part of the trailer simply shows the kind of environment the players will be in, with massive, colorful stages to perform on before big crowds. The trailer shows players dropping songs onto a four-disc mixing station and adjusting settings to weave the songs into one.
Each of the four disc players represents a different aspect of the song on that track, and there’s actually precedent for this from Harmonix. The company previously developed a game released through Hasbro calledDropmix, andFuseris its spiritual successor. InDropmix, each of the four segments (not discs like inFuser) represents a different song component: vocals, lead guitar, piano, etc.Dropmixutilized cards that could be inserted to play that section of the song on the card, splitting them for different combinations. InFuser, the songs come pre-packaged with the game, but it presumably works the same way.
The focus here is very different from other rhythym games, which put emphasis on precision and focus. Harmonix’s previousRock Bandseries' long-time rival,Guitar Hero, was famous for this. Since then,Guitar Hero’s controllers have been unconventionally usedin many frantic games, but Harmonix looks to take rhythym in a different direction. Rather than frantic and frenetic,Fuserlooks like it will be a game about artistic creation and flow.
The goal withFuserseems not to be hitting accurate notes, but keeping the mood of the dance party right. It’s definitely an outlier in this, as rhythym in games has been trending towards the action-heavy. Games likeSayonara Wild Heartsand theupcomingGUN JAMeven mix rhythym directly with action. WhetherFuser’s more laidback approach works will be interesting to see.
Fuserwill release in Fall of 2020 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
