Review: Hannah Montana: Music Jam
If you've ever wondered whether you could cut it as a pop star, Hannah Montana Music Jam works great as training wheels. Tons of kids love watching her trying to balance her life on the Disney Channel, but if given the chance, could they manage it? Would they even want to try?
Hovering just above license game hell, Music Jam has a few things going for it-- namely, the music segments. Not that the adventure portion is necessarily bad, but you'll find yourself quickly getting bored with such mundane activities such as ice skating, poster hanging, and especially the photo shooting. The other mini-games are nowhere near as fun as hitting the drums, strumming the rhythm guitar, flicking the bass, and twanging the lead guitar with your stylus.
Stringed instrument levels have you timing taps with d-pad note fingerings as icons float down to the beat, but don't think the game will cut you some slack because it's for kids--you have to hit the exact center. Drums are done in a fakey Elite Beat Agents style that can be harder to follow.
There's always a lot to get done, but navigating your double life is pretty simple. Entrances and exits to areas are clearly marked with a sparkling star, and to avoid excessively long trips at Hannah's slow walking pace you can just hit the compass icon to teleport. Use it, because the game has you doing errands all over town to keep both Hannah's fans and alter-ego Miley's friends satisfied. You'll never get stuck or forget what to do because the game keeps a running list with explanations on where to go and who you're looking for.
Each act consists culminates in a music video creation segment. Seeing as entering your videos in the Music Jam Online competition is the whole point of the game, it's disappointing that making them is such a disappointingly boring anti-climax. It's just another one of those mini-games only this time it lasts forever as you painstakingly select music, backdrop, clothes, lighting, and a pose for each inch of tape. The only upside to this that I can tell is that you can use your own compositions from the creative mode in this part of the adventure game.
I'm not sure why anyone would want to upload and download these videos to vote on them, but the option is available. The actually nifty multiplayer feature involves making a wireless band with your friends on one cart. Make no mistake, this is not Rock Band for your DS; no, if you want to be in a rock band, you should save up your pennies to get your hands on the real deal. If you're a twelve year old Hannah Montana fan and don't have too many pennies, though, this might work out. Although it's leaning in a good direction, Music Jam could've used some more rehearsal.
![Screen Update: Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway [PS3]](/screens/115001/183409-1-1.jpg)
![Screen Update: Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway [Xbox 360]](/screens/115002/183408-1-1.jpg)
![Screen Update: Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway [PC]](/screens/115021/183410-1-1.jpg)
![Screen Update: Spectral Force 3 [Xbox 360]](/screens/140501/183308-1-1.jpg)
