Size DOES Matter Review
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Size DOES Matter Review

Our Review by Campbell Bird on March 2nd, 2015
Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar :: HARD TO BEAT
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This rhythm game has a unique control scheme and performance system that make it feel like a true innovation in the genre.

Developer: Channel 4
Price: $0.99
Version Reviewed: 4.0
App Reviewed on: iPhone 5

Graphics / Sound: Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Game Controls: Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar
Gameplay: Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar
Replay Value: Rating: starstarstarstarblankstar

Overall Rating: starstarstarstarhalfstar

Size DOES Matter looks like a rhythm game from the makers of Geometry Wars. In it, players control a shapeshifting, neon quadrilateral with the intent of guiding it expertly through a series of gates to the beat of a song. Because of the game's shapeshifting mechanic, Size DOES Matter elevates itself by adding an extra layer of rhythm and puzzle mechanics to what might otherwise seem like a typical rhythm game experience.

Playing Size DOES Matter is a demanding experience. Players should definitely play with headphone, while not distracted, because the game can get pretty intense very quickly. This is primarily because the game is controlled with two hands doing separate actions, both of which need precise timing in order to perform well. On the left side of the screen, players move their finger up and down to change the size of their quadrilateral between three different states: a single square, three stacked squares, or five stacked squares. At the same time with the right hand, players need to be navigating their shape so that it is lined up with gate openings. If either the shape of the quadrilateral is not right or the shape isn't lined up perfectly, players don't score as many points as they could otherwise.

Although it sounds really complicated, Size DOES Matter has a great sense of note mapping so that both controlling the quadrilateral size and the position of the shape follow the rhythm of any given song. Speaking of songs, Size DOES Matter also features a pretty great soundtrack, consisting mostly of electronic dance tracks that heavily feature plenty of video game sounds. Although I would have appreciated a little more variety in song choice, the songs present in the game sound great and match the game's aesthetic really well.

As players get better and better at a song, their high score will definitely increase, but the incentive for playing well doesn't stop there. First, the game requires players to reach a certain score before being able unlock more advanced songs in the game. And second, performances on any given level that are executed with fewer than three errors unlocks additional sequences of the songs to play, which are considerably more complicated and challenging. These two features serve to push players to learn songs really well, and rewards them with more variety and new challenges to face, which helps with the game's replayability.

As a rhythm game, Size DOES Matter is a fantastically competent package. Although it is a niche genre, the game couldn't be more well crafted, fun, and difficult. Although rhythm games have some inherent problems with replayability, Size DOES Matter addresses the issues of repetition well, making it well worth picking up.


iPhone Screenshots

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iPad Screenshots

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