PSX Extreme writes: "Although 2D platformers are dead in the world of current console software, they're very much alive in the realm of smaller digital downloads. They've also experienced a resurgence due to HD remakes of old classics that can be found on the PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Marketplace, so seeing an ambitious title like Fret Nice isn't too shocking. Essentially, if you take your standard side-scrolling platformer and implement a music-based mechanic (complete with guitar peripheral compatibility) and a kooky game design similar to that of Patapon, you get Fret Nice. It's certainly a good idea and one that works…to some extent. The problem is that Pieces Interactive didn't really take the next step and provide us with an engaging adventure; it just feels repetitive and a little incomplete. It's fun and relatively unique, though, and it's certainly more entertaining with a friend. The question is whether or not it's worth the $14.99 price tag and ultimately, that may be a judgment call on your part."
After today’s leak, Microsoft just confirmed via Xbox Live Director of Programming Larry “Major Nelson” Hryb that a bunch of new games are going to be compatible starting today with Xbox One’s backward compatibility feature.
Fret Nice might make your arm fall off. The game began its life as a college project, and like a lot of ideas borne from unrestrained youth, it's centered around a crazy concept: it's meant to be controlled with a plastic guitar peripheral. You move right or left by holding down different frets. You kill nebulous enemies by furiously strumming the flipper. And you jump, well... you jump by jerking the guitar upwards and activating its tilt-sensor. Since this is a platformer – one where all attacks must be performed airborne – you'll have to yank that instrument's neck more than you ever did playing Guitar Hero.
Do not use the guitar. While Fret Nice had always been hyped as a game that was designed with the guitar in mind, it just doesn't work very well, and we imagine this could be why it contains full support for the pad. It's not even like you're particularly making music with the peripheral, instead you're simply holding down any of the chords in accordance with how many 'parts' (eyes, antennas etc.) are on enemies, and strumming madly until they're dead.
