MiCoach Review
Developer Lightning Fish
Publisher 505 Games
Platform PS3, Xbox (Move and Kinect Support required)
Release Date Out Now.
Along with the introduction of the motion controller to the console market came the fitness game, designed to get the player up off the couch and to whip them into shape. Many promise to change you physically but do they ever really deliver?
Adidas have teamed up with 505 Games and a number of high profile athletes to deliver the tailor made work out for your specific sport. The workouts range from a design to increase your overall fitness level or a targeted work out to increase your ability in a specific sport such as football, basketball or athletics. Each workout will work the skills and muscle groups used for that particular sport.
On hand are a number of top athletes including Olympian Jessica Ennis, Footballer Kaka and Coach Jose Mourinho along with a number of other big sports stars. Who will take you through each movement with a full video and counter that will keep you in check.
The system works by tracking your body’s movements to ensure that the correct mussel groups are worked and this is where we ran into problems. The PS3 camera is not high tech and despite having all the curtains open and the lights on I was constantly told that the room was too dark for the camera to work.
The second issue is space, being over 6 foot tall I need a 7 foot diameter circle to be able to comfortably do the workout. For the camera to be able to get you in focus you need to be a good 6 to 7 foot away from the TV. There are not many sitting rooms that have that much clear space in front of the TV, the game is more suited to people that have a dedicated gym in their house and it is then unlikely that you will either need this game or want to install your PS3 your gym.
This is the downfall with the game as when you do get the exercises to work they really do work. They are tailor made to push each mussel category to its limits and what seems like a simple movement quickly turns into a proper exercise and you will get through a number of them before hitting some snags around the available space, the poor camera not being able to properly track you and not registering your movement at all.
Perhaps a better use of the system is when it is teamed up with the new smart technology now deployed in Adidas sportswear from boots or trainers that measure distance and speed or the heart rate monitor, but all this is sold separately. The game even requires you to purchase extra gym equipment such as dumb bells. Again something that if you already own you are probably past needing a fitness game to inspire you to get to the gym.
If you are a fitness buff that wants to gamify your workout and track your progress then along with the additional pieces of equipment you can gain a lot from the game. If you are hoping that this will be the kick start you need to get up off the couch and start moving I don’t think it will really change your lifestyle as there are just too many barriers to getting a good work out including the issues with the technology, the limits of space and the need for a lot of extras.
SCORE 6/10
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