The year is 2007. My parents had purchased an iPod, the ones with the click wheel, for a long summer trip ahead. While I mostly listened to songs, there were games made for the minimal controls available. Phase was the game I played the most, which was also my first, proper, introduction to the Harmonix style of rhythm/music games that they produce. Players would plug in songs from their library, slide and tap and fill in the star circles to achieve the best results. 13 years later, and I still have the same instant joy from Harmonix’s titles. Case in point, let’s talk about FUSER, which sees you stepping into the role of a DJ. No no, not in the DJ Hero sense of the word, but mixing samples of various songs together in a video game approach. Naturally, I was wondering how it all pan out and if I would even like it, but my worries were completely unwarranted. FUSER is one of the most fun experiences I had this year.
So, let’s start from the top. You are a starting DJ who is trying to make a name across various venues. The player will hop on stage, mix various aspects from songs together and try to create a constantly evolving mix during a session. There are four tracks to play with, representing various instruments and vocals, with which you create a finely tuned meal. The beauty of FUSER is that by dropping parts on the timeline, the game will ensure that everything fits together nicely. That may sound normal, but there are clear oddities in the song list that shouldn’t work together. The BPM and sound are very removed from each other, making for something that could only entertain for literal seconds. Harmonix has done a tremendous job making it all work in unison, and turning this widely scaled soundtrack into one of the game’s strengths. Who knew that the beat of the 2001 dance epic Satisfaction could mix with the vocals of Carly Rea Jeapsen’s Call Me Maybe? It is absolutely wonderful.
What helps is that the gameplay really evolves across its multiple chapter campaign. In the beginning, it is about learning the timing of dropping records, but all alters soon enough. Players will find themselves making their own instrument loops, playing multiple records of the same color and muting music to slowly load in other parts. Even the basic parts, like the records that you bring along for your set, increase the more you play and explore FUSER’s various parts. The game plays into this strongly, with constant targets and requests to hit during your playing sessions. FUSER doesn’t have any difficulty settings, but players really adapt as they play more, making most of the requests easy enough to overcome. There is a fixture of records that you have to bring along for the targets, while your own chosen records change the variables of the requests. There is a balance here that you can play into at your discretion, which makes the overall gameplay loop that much more interesting.
By performing well in tasks, you get rewarded by the usual five star system, which is very much a Harmonix staple. Those stars translate into gear for your character as well as hard earned experience points, which grants even more options. With every level up, style and music points are granted, which allow you to unlock more clothing and music respectively. In addition, specific unlockables will be granted at specific levels, giving you a constant incentive to keep playing. That being said, the campaign really isn’t the main way you should unlock every possible option within FUSER. The story is nice while it lasts, but online should be really your long term focus.
By connecting to the internet players open up two crucial options, both of which offer you a lot of experience for participating. First of all, you can jam out with others in co-op freestyle sessions. While you perform to the best of your ability, the others will make requests and tell you how well you’re performing. Based on that performance, you will be heavily rewarded. Freestyle makes FUSER much more of a social experience, which I quite embrace. I found myself experimenting here quite a bunch and learning new mixtures from others. Even better is that you connect with one another regardless of platform, allowing you to find new mates right away.
Crossplay is also supported with the online battles, where you fight one-on-one for DJ supremacy. The basic set-up is the same though the rules have changed quite a bit. You will still need to hit targets, in addition to timing your moves, but doing so will now result with a number on the record. The number will decrease over time and will hurt your opponent until they decide to overtake a specific slot. By having many slots filled up, the opponent’s health bar will start taking hits until it is depleted. The mode is basically a gigantic tug of war, with either side constantly trying to outplay the other. With a ranking system in place, you have something to fight for, so make the most of it.
FUSER runs well on Nintendo Switch, though with a few asterisks. The framerate on the cutscenes isn’t particularly great, for no apparent reason. They really jitter over the place and I can’t explain why that would be the case. That being said, the gameplay is rocksteady and works completely fine on the system. Regardless if you’re playing on a television or on the go, FUSER is a great musical companion. Like I said, the soundtrack is all over the place, but they managed to turn out that into a big strength. Variety was certainly their biggest priority.
FUSER is a surprising title that left me completely excited every time I played it. If you have a keen love for music, FUSER knows how to pack much in a consistently fun package. The gameplay loop is incredibly steady, thought through, and charming at every step. While I wish I got more long term mileage out of the campaign, the online options ensure that I will keep playing for weeks to come. FUSER is something that anybody can get into, but only few will get the most of its potential. And that, I can’t wait to see for myself.
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