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Fasionably Late Review
Your Shape Fitness Evovled

There have been quite a number of fairly decent workout programs (mostly for the Wii); the problem is that balance boards are nice enough, but without someone watching you to ensure that you have the correct form, your workouts are most likely not as effective as they could be. Your Shape, for the Wii, had a comprehensive approach to working out and sported a handy-dandy camera to ensure that you were sort-of doing the right things; I thought it was definitely a lot more thorough than a lot of the other titles. But even the Ubisoft’s video capture device (as cool as it is) is still probably not advanced enough to do the job as well as a person. Then, along came the Kinect and Your Shape: Fitness Evolved.

For my own reasons, I. had terminated my membership at a local martial arts club back in January*. While practicing katas and shadow boxing contribute to overall physical and mental well-being, I needed a workout program that would help me achieve a better level of overall fitness. Having tried other console-based exercise programs, I was initially skeptical of whether YSFE would be able to give me what I needed. Don’t get me wrong; I think that a lot of fitness programs out there are beneficial**; I just think that YSFE is so much better: It is really in a class of its own. With both an excellent set of programs and a very advanced (and instant) feedback mechanism, YSFE is miles ahead of other offerings.

Simple menus and great tracking make this a breeze to use as a workout organizer.

YSFE makes very good use of the Kinect; detection of extremities and movement is very thorough. While there is a slight lag between your own movements and those of your on-screen avatar, the difference has decreased significantly since the demonstration that I saw at X’10. I remember people having difficulty synching up with their rendered counterpart (part of this was no-doubt due to Kinect being a new concept for many); I doubt that this will be a problem for Kinect neophytes anymore.

The interface for YSFE is very basic: it’s you. Yes, your image is captured by the camera and placed into the virtual workout area on screen (complete with workout equipment lying about); you also have your choice of “avatar” at the touch of a foot. I can see the non-Kinect folks scratching their head at that statement. “Touch of a foot” refers to the menu system, which is gesture driven: various menu options are placed on the screen within reach of your avatar’s hands and feet; just reach out and “touch” a button*** to make your selection. This controller-free method of selection is not unique to YSFE, but it helps you to stay active while in-game.

Instant feedback? Does a bear do squats in the woods?

Your Shape is essentially split into three parts: Gym Games, Fitness Classes and Personal Training. The Gym Games are fun fitness-based activities that target certain areas. While not super-intense, the format corrals you into thinking about attaining a high score while actually distracting your brain from the fitness part. One of my favourite games helps you work on your balance (core muscles): You place your arms out in front of you, as if holding a large tray; your on-screen avatar will appear to be holding a large platform; shapes will fall out of the sky and land on this platform (you have to catch them). From time to time, the floor on either side of your digital counterpart will open up; you need to dump the shapes into the holes to collect points; the more shapes you catch and hold, the more points you get.

Fitness Classes are a series of programs that also target specific areas; the format of these, though, are more like specialist classes that you would sign up for at the gym. Things like Zen (Tai Chi) and Cardio Boxing are available initially at a bronze level; when you complete these beginner programs, you unlock longer sessions, as well as more advanced ones. You can also take advantage of XBL integration and use your Microsoft points to purchase more programs to round out your workouts. I usually supplement my normal activities with Cardio Boxing and then cool off with the Zen program (to stretch).

For those that like stats…

The true gem of this package, though, is the Personal Training. After a quick analysis of your abilities by way of a small survey and some quick workout tests, the game presents you with options (Want to slim down? Want to sculpt? How about getting some more energy?); then, some workout options are made available for you to complete. With programs created by experts (some pulled from Men’s Health and Women’s Health magazines), you are well on your way to your goal. YSFE tracks your progress and also employes some subtle (and some not-so-subtle) visual effects to keep you engaged.

I have been doing a basic program and supplementing with advanced cardio boxing (with small weights) to help me reach my goals. Cooling down with Zen to stretch things out also adds to my overall feeling of well-being. I have to say that I am feeling really good (more energy and just feeling better overall – physically) since I started and I have no desire to stop pursuing the program that I have chosen.

It’s only a matter of time before Drunken Boxing becomes DLC.

As with other Ubisoft games, YSFE can be linked to the Uplay Network (Ubisoft’s way of rewarding you for playing – the more you play the more stuff you can unlock). Also, there is a Your Shape page where you can proudly display your stats online and participate in current challenges. Everything is very well laid out and shouldn’t be too challenging for anyone to set up.

Ubisoft has done a great thing with Your Shape Fitness Evolved. They have taken a genre from shaky infancy and rocketed it to a full-grown adult. Are there things wrong with YSFE? Of course! But there is no point in dwelling on the miniscule problems in light of the fantastic things that it can do as a tool to help you maintain a good fitness level. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some slimming down to do!

Posted in Kinect, Reviews, Xbox 360 |