There isn't anything wrong with rhythm games that get you out of your seat. Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band are two examples that are more fun to play moving around than sitting on a couch. But rather than approximate real activity, Helix incorporates the same shallow motion controls so many other Wii games use to embarrass the user. The blah visuals and generic techno don't make struggling through it any easier. At $10, this is way overpriced. If casual rhythm games are your thing, there are better ones on the Wii.
Presentation - 4.5
Graphics - 4.0
Sound - 5.0
Gameplay - 4.0
Lasting Appeal - 4.0
Overall -
GameCritics: "Helix is a new music game on the Wiiware channel, and I could easily imagine the discussion: "Hey, let's make a new game like Dance Dance Revolution! Except we'll focus on moving the hands instead of the feet." For those who've never had the pleasure, Dance Dance Revolution is a music game which uses a mat peripheral and lots of techno/trance music to get a gamer physically moving. Scrolling arrows show where to put the feet on the mat; the game features abstract movies and music videos in the background.
Similarly, Helix features techno/trance music (thankfully never as airy as Ian Van Dahl) and has scrolling indicators that show when to move. However, this game is about waving and groovin' with your arms. An onscreen guide shows the movements required by the player, and at the top of the screen, "move bars" scroll across to show when to perform those moves. It's a fairly simple concept to grasp, and for a music game, that's a good thing."
DS-X2: "Helix describes itself as 'one of the most innovative music rhythm games ever designed'. Whether that's true or not remains to be seen but we slipped on our dancing shoes and powered up the Wii. The question is 'can we dance any better now?'"
Helix is an interesting title that makes good use of what the Wii is capable of. If you have some money to spend in the Wii Shop Channel and you're tired of doing nothing but watching Strong Bad on the WiiWare, you might want to give Helix a try... just remember that it's best to have two Wii Remotes.
Gameplay: 8
Visuals: 6
Audio: 7
Value: 7
Quality: 7
