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EyeToy: Kinetic Mini Review
Jon Wilcox
27/09/2005
Best bookmark this one folks, TVG gets physical with EyeToy's fitness regime...
Gamers aren't particularly known for being fitness fanatics, far from it. We may have a kick about on Pro Evo but actual real world exercise is beyond a lot of usâ¦at least that's what the stereotype will have you believe. Gamers may have been waving their arms and legs into a frenzy over the last couple of years with Sony's EyeToy, but the truth is that it's been far from a total physical workout - until now.
Working with Nike Motion Works, SCEE has developed EyeToy: Kinetic, a twelve-week programme designed to increase fitness and tone the body. Set across four main areas (Cardio, Combat, Tone, and Mind & Spirit), EyeToy: Kinetic looks set to revolutionise the fitness of gamers everywhere. But does it actually work or is it just another gimmick?
After reading through the cautionary page of disclaimers about fitness and those who shouldn't even begin to attempt to participate in their wildest dreams, players (or should that be victims?) set up a profile and answer a series of questions (including some on weight and age), leaving Kinetic the task of creating a regime made from a series of aerobic and anaerobic exercises designed to get players into shape with the help of a virtual personal trainer. Somewhat sceptical of the claims made by the title, and always willing to make complete berks of ourselves (myself especially), we gave it a go. Would it somehow sculpt our bodies to the shapes they should always have been???
After a series of warm-up stretches and basic Tai Chi (more on that a little later), Kinetic was finally ready to put us through our paces. Two of the 'Zones', Combat and Cardio, take the form of more traditional EyeToy title HUDs with players able to see themselves on screen and the various simulated objects dotted around them. Exercises generally range from three minutes right up to ten minutes plus, and when Kinetic begins to increase the heart rate, it means it. Dodging and ducking bounding balls around the screen and kicking/punching at random objects are just two of the mini-game-esque routines in the game, which may not sound like the most exerting or activities, but they really do the job as we found to our hot and sweaty cost.
The Tone Zone is by the far the most traditional of the four zones and takes the form of a series of floor exercises such as push-ups, squats and other such circuit training manoeuvres. These exercises really do have an effect with abdominal and back muscles (amongst others) working overtime to keep up with the super-fit trainers, motion-captured to show that it really can be done.
For the more laid back of exercise routines, the Mind & Soul Zone offers players to progress through a series of more oriental regimes including Yoga and Tai Chi. If you've ever thought that the neighbours would be laughing at you through the front window whilst you played any of the other EyeToy products then this really does take it one step further. Standing around like a dying duck, all the while trying to desperately control balance, posture, and breathing, these exercises have been included as an aid to relaxation and though sceptical at the start it did have a rather strange calming effect - oh how our Ying and Yang were in harmonyâ¦After the routine (which changes and develops as the days/weeks progress), players are given the opportunity to check their heart rate against a line graph to get an idea about their general fitness before carrying on the next day.
This has to be one of the more difficult 'games' that we've had to review over the years due to the fact that it's not a videogame; graphically the trainers have been motion-captured to a detailed level to help maintain the player's correct posture, and they certainly provide the user with a series of confidence boosting lines especially if they're not doing too well. The motion of the player is accurately followed by Kinetic and will offer praise and support throughout the exercises (as well as a silhouette guide for those in real trouble). The music of the game is tailored to the type of exercise so prepare for some dance tracks during the cardio sessions and some relaxing ambience during the Tai Chi.
EyeToy: Kinetic is certainly an original title and far exceeds our expectations, proving to be a serious fitness solution and one that will appeal to self-conscious gamers. The pack features a wide-angle lens for the EyeToy itself so players can see their whole body on screen, although the one major downside is that would-be users will have to have room to successfully participate - you have to stand back from the TV screen (the trainers will warn you when you do get too close), which can be a problem from those not living in mansion houses. In reality the exercises will have to be carried out around 3 metres away from the EyeToy camera for true accuracy so move the furniture around the room or something.
With the EyeToy increasingly seen as a gimmick, Kinetic is more than a welcome edition truly opens itself to another market. With a regimental programme of exercises broken up into mini-games and more 'traditional' moves such as squats and push-ups the title certainly offers those willing to take the plunge an alternative to the gym or impact sports. This is an EyeToy title with actual substance and far exceeds our expectations.
