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Review of Amplitude on PlayStation 2

by Max Rathon Max Rathon photo Mar 2003
Cover image of Amplitude on PS2
Gamefings Score: 9
Platform: PS2 PS2 logo
Released: 25 Mar 2003
Genre: Rhythm
Developer: Harmonix
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Introduction

Welcome to the world of Amplitude, where you can put your DJ skills to the test without ever having to leave your couch or buy overpriced drinks in sticky-floored clubs. Released in 2003 by Harmonix, the masterminds behind Rock Band and Guitar Hero, you get to pilot a Beat Blaster through musical tracks that look like a colorful highway designed by a disco ball. So, strap in, crank that volume, and prepare to hit those beats like an awkward teenager at a school dance!

Gameplay

Amplitude throws you into a bustling electronic soundscape, where your goal is to shoot note gems representing different musical instruments on six tracks of pure rhythmic ecstasy. Let's break it down: you're not just tapping buttons like a caveman; you're strategically shooting these notes to capture tracks. Get enough in quick succession and watch as your music soars to an epic crescendo, and you score points that make your previous high scores look like your grandmother's bingo results! With multiple modes to flex your musical talents, Amplitude offers single-player, multiplayer, remix, and an online mode (which is sadly as dead as my love life). In single-player mode, you can unlock levels that progress from 'Mellow' to 'Insane', which is a difficulty setting that truly tests your reaction speed and mental fortitude. Multiplayer allows up to four players to battle it out in a head-to-head Simon Says riff challenge, transforming your living room into a battleground of auditory glory and (maybe) a bit of friendly banter. Power-ups, such as the ability to instantly capture tracks or double your score, keep things spicy and let you feel like you're a musical superhero. And just when you think it can't get any better, there's the freestyle mode where you can just hit notes and bask in the glory of your own spontaneous jam session.

Graphics

Let's face it-Amplitude isn't winning any awards for photorealism, but it doesn't need to. Its delightfully trippy art style looks like a rave got into a car accident with a color wheel. The visuals are vibrant and hypnotizing, creating an impressively engaging atmosphere that matches the beat of the music perfectly. From explosions of color every time you make a hit to dynamic changes in the background that shift with the music, it's generally a feast for the eyes. Transitions flow seamlessly, ensuring your screen isn't just a static display but an immersive explosion of sound and light dancing to the rhythm of your rhythmical prowess!

Conclusion

Amplitude is a masterclass in rhythm gaming that not only entertains but also cultivates a genuine appreciation for music. It's the kind of game that makes you feel like the hero of a music video, even if you're just sat in your PJs attempting to hit the right notes. The soundtrack ranges from electronic beats to pop punk anthems, with something sure to get even the most beat-deaf of us attempting to channel our inner DJ. So, if you're searching for a nostalgic trip back to a time when rhythm was king and music was the heartbeat of gaming, look no further than Amplitude. With its engaging gameplay, vibrant visuals, and the undeniable urge to keep retrying that one impossibly hard song, it's a musical journey worth taking. Remember, every missed note is just one more reason to keep trying, much like dating at 18-it just takes time, patience, and a remarkably high tolerance for disappointment!

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