Yesterday saw the release of an app on the Xbox 360 (i think you find it in the app section) titled "Karaoke". This seems to be an iNiS game (they did Lips on the 360) and a Karaoke Channel license. It is free to download and currently has 5 free songs per day.
So how is the app? Well, i would say middling.
- First of all, all of the songs i have seen seem to be covers (some really bad). There are no original recordings (that i have seen). They have some decent songs and some awful covers (most are usable)
- Pay to play: In order to have access to the song catalog (allegedly 8,000 songs) you will have to buy a block of time. 2 hours costs 240 Microsoft/Xbox points ($3), 5 hours costs 400 points ($5) and 24 hours costs 800 points ($10). You can probably do about 25 songs (+/-) in 2 hours. i am not sure why anyone would pay for the 24 version. i assume that the time is real time, not "in-app" time. If it is "in-app" time, then maybe that isn't a bad deal (if you could stretch 24 paid hours for a month).
- Karaoke: unlike Lips, this is a more traditional format for Karaoke (i think) with text on the screen and a highlight moving to select applicable lyrics. i miss the pitch bubbles in Lips - not just for the pitch, but it also helped me with timing.
- Streaming: apparently the songs stream on-line. Unfortunately, there isn't really an offline option.
- Leveling: there is a leveling component in this game. It comes in the form of fans. Singing decently (apparently) gets you money and fans. The money can be used for buying props (though you really don't get a choice what). As you "level up" you will get bigger venues (maybe 1 at each level) and props (from the aforementioned song performances)
- Poses: this game uses Kinect for poses (nets you more money/fans). Some of these don't want to register at times.
It is an ok app (more an app disguised as a game). i am not a huge fan of the current pricing method. i don't really see the point in paying for many sessions online - as the difference between paid and free songs is basically imperceptible.
i am currently level 15 and just unlocked a bigger stage. i think i have 115/400 Gamerscore points.
Despite its flaws, i would prefer to just pay 1,600-2,000 points ($20-25) up front and have unlimited access to all of the songs for a year or so.
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