EyeToy: Kinetic

Unless there was a way to take the "work" out of the workout. Is such a thing even possible? Only when you're having fun. EyeToy: Kinetic aims to entertain while teaching proper fitness information in a virtual environment. In other words, this isn't the linear DVD workout video you bought from Lose a Zillion Pounds.com.

Built with special help from one of the world's biggest athletic supporters, Nike, EyeToy: Kinetic was designed to make you use the other muscles in your body (you know the ones – any muscle not connected to your thumbs). Dance Dance Revolution has been effective in slimming and trimming dedicated [obsessed?] gamers, but this an EyeToy game. Just one question remained after seeing it in person at E3: how can this possibly work? 

Sony had professionals playing the game continuously to show how an expert would (could) play. They moved with perfect precision and finesse. The average Joe couldn't match their movement if he tried. I don't like to refer to myself as average, but when it comes to exercising, I'm no expert. And with Achatz Pie Co. locations opening all over Michigan, there's a definite risk for pound packing.

Fearful I was, but fearful I am no more.

First things first: EyeToy: Kinetic is extremely responsive. When you're waving your hands around, punching the air, and/or holding your body in a strange, unbalanced position, you don't have the time to worry about bad controls. EyeToy games don't use a controller outside of menu selections – they use your arms, hands, legs, feet, any part of the body that the game feels is necessary to the gameplay can be taken advantage of. The amazing thing is how well this game takes advantage of your body.

A soft golden glow covers your body as it's projected on the screen, intensifying with every movement. This is merely a graphical effect to register your presence to the viewer, which obviously is the person playing the game. When it comes time to strike, if you hit that point on the screen (by moving in front of the screen, you're not supposed to actually touch it), the game picks it up. You could have the camera angled in a weird position, and as long as you re-position your body and see yourself hit the object on screen, the move will be successful.

My failure and infrequent frustrations did not come from a technical issue that should've been ironed out – I lost because of me! It sucks to admit that, but I was using a 13-inch screen and had to maneuver around a lot of wires (where else would I store my controllers but on the floor where people can trip on them?).  

Larger screens work better. A 27-inch or higher is your best bet, but I was very pleased with the game's overall performance on my puny GXtv.

Now that you know the game works, let me tell you why it rules.

The two main modes are Routine Builder and Personal Trainer. Routine Builder lets you practice each game and come back for more whenever you please. It also allows you to save the workout that you think is best for you. Personal Trainer is the full workout program that asks you to come back several times a week for games that gradually increase in difficulty. The beginning games are the most basic, and depending on how you answered the introductory questions (your weight, how active you are, etc.), might not feel like much of a workout. The game stresses (as do I) not to push yourself too hard too soon. That's the last time I'll say it.

Within the 10+ game types are varying degrees of speed and difficulty. Cascade, which is located in the Cardio Zone, is intended to improve cardiovascular fitness and reflexes. Red and blue balls scroll across the screen and your goal is to hit the blue ones by reaching and striking them before they disappear. Hitting the red balls reduces your point total and is where most of the challenge comes in.

Breakspeed is a completely different kind of game. Located in the Combat Zone, Breakspeed is a three-minute quickie that would make Mario and Luigi proud. Tetris-style bricks appear on the four corners of the screen, and you have to do whatever it takes to eliminate them. The harder you punch or kick, the more bricks that are eliminated. I'm not sure how the game is able to measure strength, though I assume it detects your speed and translates that into stronger and weaker hits. My first time with this game type was very intense; I put everything I had into it, worked my butt off to destroy all the bricks, and walked away with a "master" rating. 

Breakspeed in action. 

Two days later I could feel that workout in my arms and my legs!  It reminded me of the first time I played Dance Dance Revolution. Slowly you build stamina and can play for longer periods. That's where this game is most effective. Playing one of these games once or twice a week is nowhere near enough to be effective in the long term.

Pulsate (Cardio Zone): Hit the blue balls when they expand. Unlike Cascade, these balls appear in specific locations and stay there until you hit them or until enough time has passed for them to disappear.

Ricochet (Cardio Zone): Referred to as a game that's "agile and actively erratic," Ricochet has you dodging the red balls – which ricochet off each side of the screen – while hitting the blue balls. This one can be quite tricky and should be played in a room where you have a lot of space to move around.

Arcburst (Cardio Zone): Slow circular motions are the key to defeating these snake-like ball clusters. The on screen demonstration shows a woman waving her arms similar to Yuna's famous dance in Final Fantasy X, though I'm sure none of us guy gamers will attempt to play that perfectly. Being clunky is better, trust me...

Wildfire (Combat Zone): Yellow balls hover, expanding to red whenever they're touched. The goal is to hit them, avoid touching them when they expand, and repeat this motion until each one is destroyed.

Backlash (Combat Zone): A clever variation of the punching bag, Backlash has four bars that slide inward toward the glowing circle in the center of the screen. Punch and kick these bars to keep them from ever touching the circle. Should they touch the circle you'll lose points and have to rehash your actions. Over time mistakes lead to more work than you'll be able to handle. Like Breakspeed, you have to practice to get really good – and build up enough stamina – to be a consistent winner. 

Work those muscles! Come 'on, you can do it! 

Trespass (Combat Zone): The balls are attacking! The balls are attacking! Fight back. Destroy the yellow balls and be ready to duck and sidestep to avoid the red ones.

Reflex (Combat Zone): This one's pretty interesting. Balls are shot up from the bottom of the screen, and instead of hitting them whenever, you must punch or kick them as hard as you can into the virtual wall. Harder hits eliminate more of the wall. While similar to some of the other game types, Reflex requires good reflexes. That makes perfect sense. If it required you to move as fast as, say, a breakspeed, then we know just what it would be called.

Protector (Combat Zone): Another game of dodge-and-attack. This time the red ball is big and constantly moves around the screen while small yellow balls are shot at you. Hit the yellow balls to be successful; avoid the big red ball to keep your point total from dropping.

Sidewinder (Combat Zone): This one should've been called "Protector." In Sidewinder you have to protect the big yellow ball in the center of the screen from all the other balls being shot at it. Punch 'em fast and don't let the center ball get hit.

Precision (Combat Zone): Several cylinders, one goal: punch and kick them until their energy has been depleted.

Reactivate (Mind & Body Zone): Strike the balls that are highlighted; avoid the ones that are not.

Equilibrium (Mind & Body Zone): Hit all the glowing bars simultaneously. Requires quick thinking and good balance -- if three bars appear you'll have to kick one of them while striking the other two with your hands! This one is slow but fun and is very challenging. 

Impeccable flexibility helps, but you don't have to look like her to play. 

Energyflow (Mind & Body Zone): Follow the flow of energy with your hands. It reminds me of Tai Chi and takes a bit to get the hang of.

Outbreak (Mind & Body Zone): Draw a ring with your arms to catch the green balls.

Other game types, including Yoga, Tai Chi and Meditation, demonstrate what needs to be done from multiple camera angles, including one that shows what you're doing. Though beneficial, these games are not interactive in the same way that the other games are. It's more like watching a workout video than playing a game.

I walked away from EyeToy: Kinetic very impressed (and tired!). It's not the ultimate, end-all solution to sculpting your body. But does it get you moving? Yes. Does it get your heart racing, work your muscles, and teach you important fitness information that few gamers know? You bet. I'm so much more inclined to make this a part of my daily routine than a typical workout that isn't interactive and thus isn't as fun.

Gameplay: 8.5
I never thought I’d have this much fun working out. I’m not the lazy type, but a pillow and a game controller seem a lot more appealing after a long day than an hour at the gym. EyeToy: Kinetic won’t replace that hour. It will, however, get your heart racing and burn a fair amount of calories without letting your mind wander to that dreadful place, “Whoa, this is hard work. I should be at home sitting on the couch.” With EyeToy: Kinetic you’re already home, and once you start playing that tempting couch of yours will look pretty boring in comparison.

Graphics: 8
The EyeToy camera doesn’t create the clearest picture (it was slightly fuzzy in all circumstances and in different lighting situations), but the realistic trainer animations help guide you through each motion.

Sound: 8
Verbal feedback and words of encouragement from the female trainer. The male trainer is a little harsher, but neither as cruel as the real thing. Musically the game isn’t mind-blowing, but the sound blends well into the background and very rarely becomes annoying.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
EyeToy: Kinetic is not an easy game. This is health and fitness, so you can make it as simple or as difficult as you want. You don’t have to push yourself, nor do you have to let the game push yourself. That’s not what the developers intended. The game constantly monitors your performance and makes suggestions if it thinks you’re pushing yourself too hard.

There are point totals, levels, a rating system and a listing for burned calorie estimates. But if you suck you suck. If you’re slow you’re slow. The important thing is that you play it safe and that you get your body moving. As much as we love to sit in confined places playing Shadow of the Colossus or SOCOM 3 for hours on end, our bodies were not built for that. They were built to move, and EyeToy: Kinetic motivates you to do that.

Concept: 9
An ingenious way to make gamers put down the controller without making us put down the game.

Overall: 8.5
You'll need to do more than play this game to stay in shape, but EyeToy: Kinetic is a great start and a great addition to any workout routine. It's a great way to fool yourself into thinking you're having fun, when in reality you're having fun and benefiting from the games that require the use of muscles other than the ones inside your fingers and thumbs. It's fast, enjoyable, and can get pretty intense at times. If you've got the will, EyeToy: Kinetic's the way, and if you've got an EyeToy, then you mustn't let its best game pass you by.