E3: 2011 Michael Phelps: Push The Limit Hands On

by: Sean - posted: 6/10/2011 1:06:00 AM

"Hands On" is a little bit of a misnomer with Kinect titles. More like Speedoes on with this one, right? Right? Anybody? Ok. I'm sorry.

Michael Phelps: Push The Limit is a swim-race simulator for the Kinect that is, like most Kinect games, simultaneously ego-destroying and fun. Milling one's arms about isn't quite enough in MPPTL; much like a dancing game, you have to swim to a  rhythm, and the better your rhythm the faster your time. It's a really natural feeling game mechanic, and one that makes perfect sense in the context of the sport of swimming. The first lap in the race I swam was about rhythm, the second a targeting minigame designed to build endurance, and the third an all-out sprint to the finish. It really was a fun experience, even something I, being a poor swimmer, might consider as a way to practice my technique outside of the water.

Players have several swimmers to choose from, but will also be able to build a swimmer, working up their stats and eventually challenging Phelps himself. Game modes will include splitscreen races, online races, and leaderboards to compare your stats with other players.

Hop in the pool in June.