The Voice: I Want You Review: Outstanding Performance

Game Reviewed: The Voice: I Want You

Release Date: October 21st, 2014

Developer: Zoe Mode, Warner Bros.

Publisher: Activision

Platform: [Reviewed: XBOX 360], PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U

Genre: Singing

Rated: E10 for Everyone 10+

If you ever wanted a chance to impress a celebrity group of panelist without them judging you before you ever get a chance to sing, that platform has become a real life opportunity. On NBC, The Voice has pushed individuals no the next level, all while allowing contestants to be trained by Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams.

Now you have the opportunity to bring the experience to your own venue whether that may be your living room, bedroom or publicly with friends. It’s time to find out who has “The Voice.”

After going through sound check which helps you calibrate your voice to the tracks, you have the option of running through season mode, quick play, voice party, vocal coach and check your achievements and completion of coach challenges through progress.

As the season will obviously be the most played area in The Voice, you have the option of choosing to sing solo, or as a duet or versus throughout the duration. After creating your artist it’s on to the Blind auditions. Sing your heart out, because if you don’t get their attention here, it’s over.

As I performed Apologized by One Republic, I got three judges to turn around.. This is where you choose your coach with the choices of Rock, Pop, R&B or Country. There’s no actual judges, more so silhouettes that tell you why you should pick them. One thing I enjoyed about this process is that judges had different things to say each time you hovered over their genre.

When chosen, you’re actually one of twelve to the team, and with four teams, that’s 48 players in total. And before jumping into the next round, it’s best to practice with your coach. Besides, when have you ever seen an actual episode where the contestant refuses help?

I was thoroughly impressed with the vocal exercises that The Voice offered me. Face stretches, breathing, lip trills and a test of your vocal range. I immediately thought of Karaoke Revolution and American Idol and how I never had this option. Weren’t they trained by someone too? Of course they were! There also scales, teaching you how to performs runs, or more in-depth melismas, harmonizing and improvising. Practice makes perfect.

Believe me when I say LEARN THESE SONGS! You will look and sound foolish singing what you don’t know. And just as the show is set up, each round has a sing off straight to the playoffs where only one can emerge. A true challenge as your coach allows you to choose what they have in mind.

Keeping in mind you can perform the song an octave higher or lower to better adjust to your natural key, it’s best to simply be as comfortable as possible.

For anyone that just wants to learn how to sing, The Voice was made for you. Running through the season, quick play and most importantly utilizing the vocal coach, this is an extremely fun game. All this game was missing was some sort of multiplayer experience, but we can wait for season two.

Gameplay: 4/5

Visuals: 3.5/5

Controls: 4.5/5

Audio:  4.25/5

Replayability: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4/5