Unison: Rebels of Rhythm & Dance

Last updated
Unison: Rebels of Rhythm & Dance
Unison Coverart.png
North American PlayStation 2 cover art
Developer(s) Tecmo
Publisher(s) Tecmo
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Release
  • JP: November 30, 2000
  • NA: March 26, 2001 [1]
Genre(s) Music
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Unison: Rebels of Rhythm & Dance (sometimes known as simply Unison) is a rhythm video game released for the PlayStation 2 in 2000 which featured unique controls and generally considered to have above-average graphics for its genre of game. It is heavily inspired by J-pop, anime and the formation of musical girl groups.

Contents

Story

The game's plot, taking place in the futuristic city of Twin Ships, centers around the exploits of three girls - Trill, Cela and Chilly - and mascot Friday as they struggle against the dictatorship of a man known only as Ducker, who can use his voice to exert a hypnotic influence over people and only allow them to experience his peculiar brands of fun, which has outlawed anything creative aside from his own music; dancing, in particular, is especially prohibited. Gathered together by a man known as Doctor Dance - who happens to dress in what passes as stereotypical 1960s attire and possesses a large afro - the three girls form the musical dance group Unison, and set about putting on a series of performances over Twin Ships' airwaves to rally the public to their cause and bring dancing back to the people. In opposition of Unison are Ducker and his personal servants who routinely try to capture the girls.

Characters

Japanese names are italicized.

Gameplay

At the start of the game, players choose whether to directly control any one of the girls: Trill, Cela or Chilly. This choice roughly corresponds to a difficulty selection - Trill is Normal, Cela is Hard and Chilly is Very Hard. Once a story cutscene has introduced the song to be performed in the next act, the game moves into a practice session to teach the player the movements necessary to successfully pull off the performance. Movements are accomplished by following the on-screen markers using the PS2's analog sticks to mimic the motions of arms and legs throughout a dance; if a character on the screen is waving their right arm, the movement is likely accomplished by rolling the right analog stick like a waving arm.

For the practice session, the song can either be learned in its entirety, or in portions. In the original Japanese release, songs had to be successfully learned in parts, and then as the entire number before moving on. The US release made this process much simpler by allowing the player to keep the markers present throughout the entire game; in the Japanese version, these would progressively be taken away, meaning the player had to commit the dances to memory, making the practice session much more necessary. In either version, the game contains a total of twelve songs that can be played in "Club Tecmo" mode ("Club Afro" in the Japanese version) with up to three players by using a PS2 multitap. The song lists have some differences between the versions.

Japanese Songlist and Original Artists

American Songlist and Original Artists

Reception

The game received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. [2] Kevin Rice of NextGen said of the game, "It's not the same leap that PaRappa was, but it's a great rhythm game with beautiful graphics, excellent music, and creative controls. Recommended." [10] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 30 out of 40. [6] However, Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said, "Don't expect Unison to be anything like other dance games. Its most distinguishable feature, which is also the game's low point, is the control. Using both analog sticks, you must move in particular directions to make your character dance. With no cues, this 'dancing' is more memorization than following a beat, which makes Unison frustrating. The cutesy visuals, however, may put a smile on your face, while decent music pays homage to tunes from the '70s, '80s, and '90s. That's not enough to swing to this awful routine, though – you'll never be in sync with Unison." [13] [lower-alpha 2]

Notes

  1. ↑ Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the game each a score of 7/10, 6/10, and 5.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game 3/5 for graphics, 4/5 for sound, 1.5/5 for control, and 2/5 for fun factor.

Related Research Articles

<i>Shadow of Memories</i> 2001 video game

Shadow of Memories is a mystery adventure game developed by Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo and published by Konami. Originally released for the PlayStation 2 in 2001, it was later ported to Xbox and Microsoft Windows in 2002. A PlayStation Portable version was released on October 1, 2009 in Japan and on January 26, 2010 in North America.

<i>The Urbz: Sims in the City</i> 2004 video game

The Urbz: Sims in the City is a video game for the Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Nintendo DS. It is the third Sims game for video game consoles and is the second Sims game not to be released on Microsoft Windows; after a planned PC port and sequel were both cancelled due to mediocre sales. The next release for consoles and handhelds was the console port of The Sims 2.

<i>Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001</i> 2000 video game

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2001 is a sports video game developed by Headgate Studios for the Microsoft Windows version, Stormfront Studios for the PlayStation version, and EA Redwood Shores for the PlayStation 2 version, and published by EA Sports for Windows and PlayStation in 2000 and PlayStation 2 in 2001. The latter console version was ported to Japan and published by Electronic Arts Victor on June 21, 2001.

<i>Bloody Roar 3</i> 2001 video game

Bloody Roar 3 is a 2000 fighting arcade video game developed by Eighting and Hudson Soft. It is the first of the Bloody Roar series to appear on the Sony PlayStation 2.

<i>All-Star Baseball 2002</i> 2001 video game

All-Star Baseball 2002 is a baseball sports game released for PlayStation 2 and GameCube in 2001.

<i>Warriors of Might and Magic</i> 2000 video game

Warriors of Might and Magic is an action role-playing game developed and released by The 3DO Company for the PlayStation and Game Boy Color in 2000, and for PlayStation 2 in 2001. The three versions, although they all follow a similar storyline, are unique, especially the GBC version which is presented in 2D instead of 3D and has an almost completely different story. Each version of the game centers around the protagonist Alleron, who is wrongfully accused of committing necromancy by the Grand Inquisitor, and is exiled as a result. He is forced to wear the Mask of the Accused as a punishment for his crimes, which acts as a magnet to monsters. It is difficult to determine when the events of Warriors of Might take place in the Might and Magic timeline. However, it's speculated that it takes place in between Heroes of Might and Magic III and Heroes of Might and Magic IV.

<i>Sega Soccer Slam</i> 2002 video game

Sega Soccer Slam, also known as simply Soccer Slam, is a sports game released for GameCube, Xbox, and PlayStation 2 in 2002.

<i>Supercar Street Challenge</i> 2001 video game

Supercar Street Challenge is a racing video game developed by Exakt Entertainment and published by Activision for PlayStation 2 and Windows in 2001.

<i>Evergrace</i> 2000 video game

Evergrace is a 2000 action role-playing game developed by FromSoftware for the PlayStation 2 (PS2). It was released in Japan in April 2000 by FromSoftware, North America by Agetec in October 2000 as a launch title for the PS2 in the region and PAL territories in January 2001 by Ubisoft and Crave Entertainment.

<i>NASCAR 2001</i> 2000 video game

NASCAR 2001 is a racing simulator video game developed and published by EA Sports for PlayStation and PlayStation 2. NASCAR 2001 was the fourth game in the EA Sports NASCAR series, and is the first in the series to include manufacturer representation and Daytona International Speedway.

<i>Monster Rancher 3</i> 2001 video game

Monster Rancher 3 is the third game in Tecmo's Monster Rancher series. It is the first game in the series for the PlayStation 2.

<i>NHL 2002</i> 2001 video game

NHL 2002 is a video game released by EA Sports in 2001. It is the predecessor to NHL 2003. The game's cover man is Pittsburgh Penguins superstar and owner Mario Lemieux, who had just made a comeback after being retired for three and a half years. It was the first installment of the NHL series to be released on Xbox.

<i>NHL 2001</i> 2000 video game

NHL 2001 is a video game released by Electronic Arts in 2000. It is the successor to NHL 2000. An add-on featuring Elitserien and SM-Liiga was released on the PC version on March 8, 2001, that added Swedish and Finnish hockey leagues and teams to the game. It is the tenth installment of the NHL series, the final to be released on PlayStation, and the first to be released on PlayStation 2.

<i>International Track & Field 2000</i> 1999 video game

International Track & Field 2000 is a track and field game for PlayStation in 1999 and Nintendo 64 in 2000. It was released in Europe under the name International Track & Field: Summer Games on the Nintendo 64 and Game Boy Color, and in Japan as Ganbare! Nippon! Olympics 2000, where it was licensed by the Japanese Olympic Committee. Versions were also released for the Sega Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, and Game Boy Color as ESPN International Track & Field in North America. Maurice Greene (sprinter), a former men's WR holder in the 100M dash, is the cover athlete.

<i>Super Puzzle Bobble</i> 2000 video game

Super Puzzle Bobble, released as Super Bust-A-Move in Europe and North America, is a puzzle video game in the Puzzle Bobble series. It was developed by Taito, and released on November 27, 2000 by Acclaim Entertainment for the PlayStation 2, and by CyberFront and EON Digital Entertainment for Windows in 2001. It was later ported to the Game Boy Advance that same year, the Japanese version under the name Super Puzzle Bobble Advance. It was re-released in Japan for the PlayStation 2 in 2004 as part of Super Puzzle Bobble DX, which is Volume 62 of the Japan-exclusive Simple 2000 Series. This compilation includes a few graphical enhancements.

Vanessa Lee Evigan is an American actress. She is the daughter of actor Greg Evigan and model and actress Pamela Serpe. She is also the sister of actress Briana Evigan and singer-songwriter Jason Evigan.

<i>Glass Rose</i> 2003 video game

Glass Rose is a point-and-click adventure psychological horror video game developed by Cing and Capcom's Production Studio 3 and published by Capcom for the PlayStation 2. It was released in Japan on November 6, 2003 and later in Europe on March 26, 2004.

<i>Disney Golf</i> 2002 video game

Disney Golf, known in Japan as Disney Golf Classic, is a Disney sports game developed by T&E SOFT and the spiritual successor to Swing Away Golf, which was also developed by T&E Soft. The game is similar to Mario Golf, even though some animations are different from those in Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour. It was released in Japan by Capcom on May 30, 2002. A localized version by Disney Interactive and Electronic Arts was shown at the Electronic Entertainment Expo in the same year and was eventually released in North America in October, and later in Europe in December, locally distributed by Electronic Arts in the country and published by Disney Interactive. It was later re-released in Europe in 2005 with distribution done through Disney, alongside other games.

<i>Gallop Racer 2004</i> 2004 video game by Tecmo

Gallop Racer 2004, known in Japan as Gallop Racer Lucky 7, and in the PAL region as Gallop Racer 2, is a horse racing video game developed and published by Tecmo, released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2.

<i>FIFA 2001</i> 2000 video game

FIFA 2001 is a football simulation video game and the sequel to FIFA 2000. It was succeeded by FIFA Football 2002. It features Paul Scholes on the UK cover and Ben Olsen on the North American cover. The game's Spanish cover features Gaizka Mendieta on it. It was released on 31 October 2000 for Microsoft Windows and PlayStation, and on 24 November 2000 for PlayStation 2 as a launch title in Europe. The PlayStation 2 version was originally slated for release in the U.S. on 7 November, before it was delayed to 28 November. A Game Boy Color version was planned but cancelled.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (March 23, 2001). "Tecmo Sets Official Date for Unison". IGN . Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 15, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "Unison: Rebels of Rhythm & Dance". Metacritic . Fandom. Archived from the original on December 25, 2023. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
  3. ↑ Semerad, Jay. "UNiSON: Rebels of Rhythm & Dance - Review". AllGame . All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  4. ↑ Edge staff (February 2001). "Unison [JP Import]" (PDF). Edge . No. 94. Future Publishing. p. 99. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Johnston, Chris; Dudlak, Jonathan; Sewart, Greg (May 2001). "Unison [Rebels of Rhythm & Dance]" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 142. Ziff Davis. p. 108. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  6. 1 2 "プレイステーション2 - UNiSON (ユニゾン)". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 86.
  7. ↑ "Unison: Rebels of Rhythm & Dance". Game Informer . No. 97. FuncoLand. May 2001.
  8. ↑ Davis, Ryan (March 22, 2001). "Unison [Rebels of Rhythm & Dance] Review". GameSpot . Fandom. Archived from the original on March 31, 2001. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ Chen, Jeff (April 3, 2001). "Unison [Rebels of Rhythm & Dance]". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 17, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  10. 1 2 Rice, Kevin (June 2001). "Unison [Rebels of Rhythm & Dance]". NextGen . No. 78. Imagine Media. p. 85. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  11. ↑ Kennedy, Sam (May 2001). "Unison [Rebels of Rhythm & Dance]". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine . No. 44. Ziff Davis. p. 100. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  12. ↑ Schkloven, Emmett (May 4, 2001). "Unison [Rebels of Rhythm & Dance] (PS2) Review". Extended Play . TechTV. Archived from the original on January 18, 2002. Retrieved October 15, 2016.
  13. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (June 2001). "Unison: Rebels of Rhythm & Dance" (PDF). GamePro . No. 153. IDG. p. 104. Archived from the original on February 12, 2005. Retrieved December 25, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.