Sony’s SingStar, a once-ubiquitous karaoke title, arrives on the PS4. Unfortunately, this iteration falls short of delivering a compelling singing experience.
Many will recall the enjoyable experiences with SingStar on the PS2 a decade ago. It effectively functioned as a home karaoke simulator, offering editions with a diverse collection of songs on a disc. The dedicated SingStar microphones enhanced the feeling of a genuine karaoke outing. However, the series gradually declined, with development eventually ceasing. While the core concept of karaoke remains fundamentally unchanged, the newer editions, rather than introducing innovative game modes or challenges, became increasingly limited, often requiring users to repurchase songs they already possessed.
The positive aspects of SingStar Ultimate Party for PS4 include improved graphics, with high-resolution lyrics and a clear pitch meter. A companion SingStar app has also been developed, enabling smartphone use as a microphone. The system and pairing process performed reliably with the smartphones tested (iPhone, Galaxy). However, using a mobile phone instead of a dedicated microphone detracts significantly from the overall experience. The option to connect older USB microphones remains, which is a welcome alternative. The new song selection includes contemporary hits such as Avicii’s “Hey Brother”, Ellie Goulding’s “Burn”, Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Call Me Maybe”, and Lionel Richie’s “Hello”. However, the remaining song selection leaves something to be desired. Ed Sheeran’s “Lego House” may not be the most accessible sing-along choice (in contrast to “I See Fire”).
Unfortunately, the list of improvements essentially ends there. The current SingStar iteration is plagued by a series of disappointments and issues. Notably, while the SingStar app is designed for quick, accessible gameplay, the audio mixing is significantly flawed. Regardless of whether using dedicated microphones or the smartphone app, the volume output is inadequate, even at maximum levels, making it difficult for singers to hear their own vocals. The original music track often overpowers the user’s voice. Furthermore, despite being titled “Ultimate Party” and supporting multiple players via their smartphones, the game lacks a dedicated party mode, including duet or pass-the-mic options. Gameplay is restricted to one-on-one performances, where both participants sing the same main vocal part, irrespective of gender – a significant regression from previous versions.
SingStar on PS4 is also not compatible with previous-generation discs from PS2 and PS3. The developers cite technical limitations due to the PS4’s architecture and lack of backward compatibility. However, the inability to register owned discs and download the songs digitally (potentially with a small fee for HD upgrades) is a significant oversight. Users are left unable to access previously purchased content, with limited access to digital purchases from the PS3 era due to server issues. The extensive collections of SingStar discs, featuring hits from the 80s, 90s, and beyond, remain unusable. The prospect of repurchasing songs at 15 kr per track to regain access to a previously owned library is unreasonable in both cost and principle.
Be prepared to open your wallet if you want your old songs
The planned karaoke session ultimately failed to deliver, resulting in a disappointing experience with a limited selection of songs. The absence of engaging game modes and the need to repurchase previously owned content detract significantly from the overall value. Once a driver of Playstation sales, SingStar now resembles a limited and expensive demo, effectively a free-to-play title with extensive in-app purchases required to rebuild a song library. The experience is underwhelming and fails to live up to the “Ultimate Party” moniker.
Ultimately, the disc was ejected, leading to a search for the PS2 in an effort to recapture the enjoyable karaoke experience of the past.
Så här sätter vi betyg på Senses