With the buzz for PlayStation Move now in full swing it is worth remembering that, through the technology incorporated in the SIXAXIS controller, the PS3 has had motion-sensing controller support since launch. The original version of SCE's High Velocity Bowling (HVB) was released a year later and it demonstrated one of the most convincing displays of SIXAXIS control available.
With a Move-enabled full price Blu-ray retail version of HVB currently in US stores (with all paid DLC included as well as over twenty characters), it should be noted that this review is of the UK's PS Store version, which costs £6.29. A free download key is available on the UK's PSN to enable Move support, so it is cheap and easy to set up HVB to be ready for Move in the UK. HVB is also available on the US's PSN for $9.99, but only PlayStation Plus subscribers currently have access to the Move patch. It is a perplexing situation, but in simple terms everyone can play HVB using Move, except for gamers in the US who own the download version of the game, but do not subscribe to PS Plus.
Therefore, it is worth considering that gamers have been mastering the intricacies of the SIXAXIS controls, bowling strikes and motion-controlling their way to 200+ scores for three years. By gripping SIXAXIS vertically, with the shoulder buttons facing the TV, it replicates the motion of bowling successfully. The only challenging aspect of the SIXAXIS controls is having to hold R2 or L2 to create spin on the ball, especially as this involves having to reach down to L2 with your little finger.
For both SIXAXIS and Move controls there are four steps to releasing the ball and finding your perfect bowling line, involving setting your target before "bowling" with a smooth motion to hopefully rattle some pins. A green gauge is provided to indicate a 'perfect power' level to aim towards, however if this is passed the meter flashes red and abruptly buzzes at you to scorn your over-enthusiasm and scoff at the subsequent loss of accuracy in your throw.
A casual player can easily take part in the game and may even chance upon a random strike. However, for anyone who has invested time into the intricacies of HVB's controls, competing against a player who takes this approach is about as much fun as playing against someone who repeatedly unleashes leg swipes in Super Street Fighter IV. To truly master this game you must search for a variety of sweet spots to connect with the ten pins, that when hit result in a consistent strike. The only way to achieve this is, naturally, through practice and learning the skill of adding spin to the ball.
However, SCE's San Diego Studio have left this vital element of the controls in the hands of gamers to learn: it is not properly explained during the in-game tutorial and it was not hinted at during their trailer to showcase HVB's Move controls. You apply spin at the end of your swing with a twist of your wrist, rather like adding after-touch in a retro football game, with how far you twist determining the amount of spin applied, indicated by another on-screen meter. By applying spin in combination you can explore the full extent of the controls to become consistent at achieving a high score in the game. It takes practice, determination, is not second nature and can be frustrating, but it is this process that makes the game fun and satisfying to play.
It seems that San Diego Studio has been stubborn in its attention to detail, right down to the oil coating pattern on the lane, so has designed the spin element of the controls to be appropriately demanding. It does not feel natural in the same way as the technique for spinning the ball in Wii Sport's 'Bowling', but it is easier to learn than the SIXAXIS's shoulder button controls. Failure to master the spin will limit your progress and is only advisable if you are sharing your motion controller with three other equally unskilled players, during a local multiplayer game in HVB's 'Let's Bowl' mode.
Online gamers gravitate towards the Gutter Ballers and Beginner Rama sections, but when this includes playing a gamer who bowls eleven strikes in a row, you realise that you're not competing with amateurs. The single player 'Challenge Mode' is broken down into three sections and you must succeed in all three to unlock the next step in the game's progression ladder. 'Head 2 Head' is the most important, because beating its six extra AI opponents unlocks each of their improved stats (Ball Weight, Spin, Speed, Accuracy), and ultimately being able to control Hiro has an impact on your bowling prowess.
However, you must still rank first in 'Tournament' mode (which by the third Gatdula Open involves consistently bowling a 170 score), as well as achieving a blue star participation achievement in 'Trick Shots'. Thankfully participating in 'Trick Shots' is not difficult; perhaps SCE realised that challenges such as curving a ball through the legs of a foldaway steel chair, to spin it back in for a strike, are especially troublesome. 'Trick Mode' is diverse and fun, playing like an entirely new game, but demands more than any other section that you master the spin controls.
Graphically, HVB includes stereoscopic 3D support, has suitably shiny lanes and a mixture of backgrounds, but its character models are awkward and ugly, plus its depiction of clichéd personality stereotypes are not very appealing. The audio effects are strong, but the speech is inane. The mix of boppy 50's rock 'n roll tunes or jazzy lounge music is also cheesy and irritating. If you do not want to feel like you are taking a ride in a Dawn of the Dead lift hit the Select button, turn the music down and then head to the XMB to play along to your own tunes.
Conclusion
Bowling is a fun sport when translated into a video game and PSN High Velocity Bowling is well priced to offer depth to its content, including a fun showdown during a local four player competition. However, it is most compelling when a gamer takes time to master its control intricacies, for either SIXAXIS or PlayStation Move support. By investing time to rehearse applying spin to the ball, it is possible to achieve consistency in hitting the sweet spot for a strike. It is HVB's focus on the player's skill that makes it a bowling game for gamers and it must be mastered to achieve the high scores needed to reign supreme in single player 'Challenge Mode' and in online matches. Its graphics and music will not bowl you over, but the more practice you put in, the more rewarding the game becomes. HVB bowls a good game; the ball is now in Brunswick Pro Bowling's lane to impress.
Comments 11
Great Review.
I grabbed this for like $5 with PSN+ and have really enjoyed it with the SixAxis. Ive downloaded the Move patch but have yet to try it out.
Online players who will not accept invites to a game and have a really high ranking will bowl perfect games because they have a certain oil pattern, certain character and ball they will use for repeat strikes over and over, so beware of this pain with online games here.
@slapshot82 Cheers mate, I have come across a few online players who refuse to play me, but in the main the people I have played against have been good sports. There are definitely a lot of skillful players online though, I've unlocked later characters but I play controlling Barry because I like his spin, even though he is not the best of the characters. I have practised lots, but I still only just about hold my own online.
In general mastering the controls will enable players to progress in 'Challenge Mode' and enjoy competing online, as High Velocity Bowling becomes increasingly addictive as your bowling skills develop. Here is a rundown of the four steps when playing with PS Move. HVB's basic tutorial does not really cover step four and it is this step that will make the greatest difference to becoming consistent and improving your score:
@Jamie.... Im definately going to have to give it a few frames pretty soon One thing Ive noticed with HVB is that many of the lines/shots I use in real life actually work in HVB. Very impressive in my opinion. Its a great game and for the cheap asking price with online play make for a great purchase.
I downloaded this ages ago, but never got very good at it. I got the Move Patch, but still don't actually have a Move, so I can't try it. Nice to see a review that admits that the Move controls are non-intuitive, but not actually BAD. It seems a lot of people equate the two with each other, because they can't handle the idea that they're just not good at it after getting used to the Wii.
I am curious to see if Brunswick Pro Bowling will get a better score or not, I am betting it will get an 8.
@LinktotheFuture To be honest, it was a little bit unfair of me to make the comparison to Brunswick Pro Bowling, it seemed like a fitting end to the review to mention Brunswick as a competitor, based upon them both being Move controlled bowling games.
However, I should be clear that this is a review of the UK PSN version for £6.29 ($9.99). It is addictive and packed with content for that price, which is why it got a 7/10. However, I do not cover the $40 retail version of HVB here, the score is linked to the value it provides as a PSN title. My understanding is that Brunswick is a retail release too, although off the top of my head I think that it may be about $30 (its UK RRP is £29.99), it will still cost more than $9.99.
There are details about HVB I didn't cover here, for example as well as unlocking characters, you can unlock better balls and new costumes, plus there are pleasing touches like when the Motion controller's orb flashes colours if you get a strike. There are also small niggles, the wand is cumbersome to navigate the menus, if you use just your wand to navigate the XMB you will get an idea of what I mean.
My main advice is that gamers use this review and its score as a guide to buying a PSN game, and that its main point of comparison is with similarly priced titles on PS Store, which compete for your hard earned cash. Cheers!
@JamieO Thanks for the extra info. Brunswick Pro Bowling has some cumbersome movements as well. I really wish the Move Controller had a crosspad on it. The Move may be more accurate, but I think the Wiimote is a much better controller.
The Move addition doesn`t really feel so accurate to me. A good game but at least from my experience works best with the sixaxis controller.
Well I bought this after reading your review, and I must say I actually prefer it to Wii Sports Bowling! Its so much easier to get the right strength and spin on the ball, and i know my daughter will love it because of that. Very pleased with my purchase
Btw, my comment above was from using the Move. Very pleased with how it handles, and its so easy to add spin.
I just bought this game as a part of After Hours Athletes and i'm quite disappointed. I don't like the 3rd person view just before bowling . . . is there any way to change the view to 1st person to actually see where you're bowling?
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