We analyze this exclusive video game for Nintendo Switch, which comes with two accessories and allows us to play sports.
The human being learns playing, develops playing, does not stop playing in his life. «Culture is born in a playful way; that is, at the beginning, culture was carried out in the form of a game, ”said Johan Huzinga in his best known work, Homo Ludens. If people play and acquire capabilities that way, it is logical to think that other activities can be successfully channeled through the game. Ring Fit Adventure manages to combine video game and sport in a satisfactory way. It is, above all, videogame, not a product to execute a series of isolated exercises (and that which allows it), but rather an adventure carefully designed for the user to play sports having fun.
It is not the first time that Kyoto experiments with sports. One of Wii's flagship products, Wi Fit, also tried to achieve a similar goal. In addition, Nintendo's late president, Satoru Iwata, announced in 2014 a new business line focused on health. However, since that date, nothing more has been heard about that project, although its main lines suggest something similar to what we have today: “It will be a new business platform to improve the quality of life of people through fun ways, "said the former president at a meeting of shareholders. Again, entertainment appeared as the method par excellence to achieve a different goal.
So are the Ring-Con and the leg strap: how to get started
The new Nintendo production is accompanied by two accessories that are essential to enjoy the adventure and that are included in the Ring Fit Adventure pack. The Ring-Con is a very special fitness ring, as it implements an electronic mechanism that in combination with the Joy-Con recognizes the movements of the upper body. In the hands, the material seems resistant and quality, at no time gives the impression that it will break if we press too hard. With a nice touch, it incorporates two disconnectable sleeves at both ends. This may seem like an unimportant detail, but something we guarantee with total security is that Ring Fit makes you sweat. Therefore, having the possibility of removing the sleeves and washing them is a logical and hygienic option.
The leg strap is simpler, but it also feels like a construction with premium finishes. With the Joy-Con inside, it controls the activity of the lower part of the trunk and blends into the Ring-Con so that the game records the movements. Unlike the hoop, it does not have any electronic component that provides extra functions.
How do you start a game session in Ring Fit Aventure? The first step is to sit down and place the left Joy-Con on the tape. Next, we adjust it above our left thigh. Having done this, we get up and take the Ring-Con with our hands. We will see a slot to fit the Joy-Con right, we put ourselves in the required position and voilà, let the game begin!
Personal trainer: each player sets his pace
Ring Fit Adventure is designed for all types of audiences, both for those who are accustomed to playing video games and for the most neophytes in the field. It has also been created as a product suitable for people who do sports regularly, but not forgetting those who do not usually practice it regularly or never. To ensure that the exercises are executed correctly and that the player / athlete is able to handle the devices, the game offers visual and audible information at all times, accompanied by very easy to follow instructions that are reflected on the screen.
It should be noted that since it is a sports game in which we must exercise the body through different exercises, it is important to have enough space to develop the activity. It does not require a whole room, but enough space so that we can stretch the whole body, move our arms and lie on the floor. In addition, it is advisable to use a mat or soft floor to perform the exercises. Anyway, the game warns you of this kind of thing and invites you not to perform the exercise if the optimal conditions are not met.
And it is that one of the things that we liked the most is that it not only offers all kinds of advice, but constantly encourages you to improve yourself, always from moderation. If you notice that we have made too much effort or that we need to rest, you will immediately ask us if we do not want to leave it for today. It also invites us to drink water and stay well hydrated, not to mention the numerous messages that teach us particularities about sport, anatomy and the factors involved in shaping a healthy body. Tipp, the virtual trainer that accompanies us, is the character that shows the poses on the screen to make sure we do the movements well.
As we said, not all people share the same conditions. Some do sports regularly, others more sporadically, while another segment of the population does not exercise at all. Nintendo has conceived this product as a useful tool for any of these profiles. Thus, the first time we start the video game, we are asked various aspects: sex, age, weight, if we do sports regularly. The player can choose the option that best suits his day-to-day routine. As if that were not enough, it is possible to select the intensity of the exercise.
These options are not immovable. Depending on the evolution we experience, we have the possibility to modify these parameters to our liking from the options menu. On the other hand, at the beginning of each day, we are asked if we want to keep up, increase it or opt for a smoother session. Ring-Con calibration also takes into account the strength of each individual. He measures it in the first game, as he asks us to tighten and stretch the Ring-Con with all our strength for a short interval of time.
One of the first steps is to choose a profile and create the character. The editor is simple and does not have many options, although it is not an important aspect either. In addition, to those who like customization, they also have different pieces of clothing to create the hero that everyone wants.
Before starting, Tipp offers us to perform warm-up exercises. At the end of the session, on the contrary, we will perform cooling stretching if we see fit.
Adventure, the main game mode
The goal of Ring Fit Adventure is for players to play sports almost without realizing it. All controls are designed to be executed with the body. However, the idea works because Nintendo has built a real adventure with touches of RPG. It is true that the argument is nothing special, but at least it gives you the excuse to discover a new world, where sport is the central axis.
It all starts when Draco, an immense muscular dragon, arrives in the world to sow chaos. In those moments of uncertainty, our character finds Ring, a mysterious hoop-shaped character. We take it in our hands and instantly feel that a power emanates from our body. The talkative hoop tells us that we must defeat the monster to prevent it from deploying its Machiavellian plan and ending all citizens. The simple premise serves as an excuse to embark on a journey in which we will gradually synchronize with Ring-Con. The more synchronized we are, the more it will be reflected in the protagonist's hair, which turns a golden color, like a flame.
With the Ring-Con at chest height, we run statically so that the character does the same. When pressed, we throw compressed air, which is used to destroy boxes, open doors and other actions that will make us sweat a lot. For example, in one of the phases, the doors are opened by a rotating mechanism that we must activate by executing that movement quickly.
If we stretch the Ring-Con, we can absorb objects from the stage, coins and hearts to restore lost life, mainly. Obstacles such as logs or rocks are skipped by jumping, so we will have to aim with the Ring-Con down and tighten at the right time. Some larger rocks must be destroyed by placing the device on the abdomen and squeezing.
The levels are designed with the idea of exploration in mind. So, if you jump correctly and choose another route, maybe you can discover new things. Rowing, swimming, driving and flying through the air is a possibility according to what phases. Overcoming swampy areas or using stairs require more knees when running, while areas that break apart when passing or the mechanical walkways that go in the opposite direction will force us to run faster.
Every movement adds up, the game measures the activity time, the calories lost, the times we do an exercise, etc. As the adventure unfolds, new elements are unlocked and new possibilities open up. The data is recorded for later consultation.
Turn-based fighting
Ring Fit Adventure is designed with a world structure, in which different phases are inserted. Each chapter unlocks new levels. The game is designed so that each game time is managed according to their abilities, so the levels are usually not very long. Within them, not everything is running, jumping, flying or propelling. It couldn't be that easy, right? Of course, the monsters are not lacking. And how do we defeat them? Through turn-based fighting. But do not imagine commands like those of any RPG, in Ring Fit we use the sport.
In total there are 40 skills to learn, which are categorized by colors: reds are worth the arms; the yellow ones, of the trunk; The blue ones of the legs. Finally, the greens are inspired by yoga. The enemies also wear these colors, so depending on their tone, there will be a more effective type of attack than another – as long as you have achieved this Ring power, once the game is advanced. For example, the squat is one of the exercises in the blue category, so it will be more effective against enemies of that same color.
Brandish the Ring-Con like a bow, use it to squeeze it over your head, raise your knees as you lower it and sooner or later you will kill the enemy. Some techniques affect only one monsters; others, to the whole group. Select with your head, because the enemy is not going to stand still. There is no good attack without a good defense, so you have to be prepared for what is to come. The abdefense allows us to create a shield that reduces damage. Simply put the Ring-Con on the abdomen, squeeze hard and hold on until the danger ceases. If we lose too many hearts, it is best to drink some smoothie from the inventory and recover some health.
The thing is complicated with the boss, at the end of each world. Draco is a strongman who has a very long life bar and is capable of causing continuous sweating in his enemies. Sometimes, it is accompanied by lackeys (their weights-crab, for example) that we must annihilate as soon as possible. Be the boss or the normal monsters, at the end of the fight we receive experience. In fact, the different actions that we carry out throughout the levels also give us experience. By getting these points, we level up, defense and attack are strengthened, we gain extra hearts and new abilities (a few are selected for combat).
Minigames, challenges and loose exercises
If pottery is not your thing, do not worry, there are many more video games. In the game modes outside the adventure, the Quick Game, the mini-games are one of the options available. They exercise different parts of the body, and they do it with the playful element as a central part. To make a piece of pottery, mold the shape by squeezing the Ring-Con, but be careful, because you will have to do it according to the way it appears. Lower the body to the corresponding place and press until you achieve the desired scene. In another of the mini-games, it is necessary to sit down and put the Ring-Con above the knees. The goal is to collect coins and avoid bombs while we are driving in a vehicle. Although the movement is automatic, jumping, planning and avoiding the glute hit bombs leads us to victory. Climbing up a steep slope, destroying all robots by crushing or batting androids are just some of the mini-games that are available.
On the other hand, the series give us the possibility of organizing a list of traditional exercises that we can perform next. In addition, the challenges of the Quick Game put us to the test with short but intense exercises in which we must do as many repetitions as possible. As the data is recorded, it is a good way to encourage the pique among friends or members of the same family.
There is the option of using the Ring-Con without the need for the Nintendo Switch to be turned on. In that case, continue recording data and give us some rewards while watching a movie or performing any additional tasks.
CONCLUSION
Ring Fit Adventure makes people do sports almost without realizing it. His playful approach, inserted into a video game approach, works perfectly. The main game mode tells an argument and introduces you fully into a story that although it is nothing from the other world, it does provide incentives to continue discovering secrets while playing sports. Turn-based fighting, which bases attacks on fitness exercises, is pure RPG, but adapted to a product that never ceases to amaze. In half-hour sessions, it can last for months. In addition, the construction of the devices is of quality. The only hits? Some very punctual decalibration and the need to have a minimum space (logical, on the other hand).
THE BEST
- The construction of the Ring-Con and the tape
- That the sleeves can be disengaged to wash the sweat
- Playing sports has never been so fun
- Interesting mechanics based on varied exercises
- Although adventure is the main mode, minigames and others provide a plus.
WORST
- Very punctual descalibration of the Ring-Con
- A minimum space is needed to be able to do all the exercises
- The argument could have been a more interesting tad
