Amplitude

Improved lane-hopping controls and fun multiplayer make this a blast to play, but it's as an interactive music album where new Amplitude really shines. You need to experience it.

Amplitude may not be a perfect game that includes every single thing a fan of the previous games could want, but it certainly met my high overall expectations.

Terrifically addictive and filled with songs that you'll want to play repeatedly. The RSI will be worth it. [Feb 2016, p.83]

It's nice to see that Harmonix can still keep the beat going, even after the commercial success of Rock Band 4. Amplitude may not be as big a game as that is, but it's still a terrific experience, whether you go it alone or bring some friends into the fray. The soundtrack, while more "indie"-based, is a blast, and the gameplay delivers all the goodness we've come to expect from the brand.

Amplitude manages to be both a throwback, and as relevant as ever. This feels like a Harmonix with the shackles off, free to unleash their creative side onto the rhythm-action genre once again. With its initial simplicity, mesmerising visuals, and a great marriage of music to game mechanics, Harmonix have given the world a better Amplitude. One that is simply a superb title.

Although I am not the biggest fan of “electro” music, Amplitude delivers. It proves that good game design withstands the test of time. And Amplitude shows why Harmonix is the biggest name in rhythm games today.

A fitting tribute to the PS2 classic, albeit on that will struggle to hold the attention of those without solid rhythm action skills or fond memories of the original. [Issue#266, p.64]

It scales to your ability and makes you feel connected to the music in a way few other games can match. [Feb 2016, p.108]

Barring the occasional niggle, this is a fantastically imaginative return. It brings an addictive appeal that'll have you scratching the musical itch long after you've unlocked everything. [Feb 2016, p.83]

It could arguably do with a bit more content and it could certainly do with a handful of licensed tracks, but the songs here are universally solid and the core gameplay remains as impressive and addictive as ever.

An irresistible, toe-tapping experience that is well deserving of the Kickstarter love that brought it into modern times. Off the hook local multiplayer, too. [February 2015, p71]

This is a game for the fans, paid for by the fans, and limited only by its budget. The music won’t be to everyone’s taste, and of course doesn’t include any pop classics, but the precision and excitement of the moment-to-moment musical action has never been stronger.

A unique concept album that challenges your mind and your dexterity.

Amplitude is so obviously a labor of love that it's difficult to criticize it, especially given all of the ways in which Harmonix has addressed the concerns for fans who funded them on Kickstarter.

Amplitude is a solid remix of the original that should win over longtime fans as well as new players who want to explore a fresh version of a game that brought Harmonix into prominence. The track list could have been fuller in terms of quantity and genre variety, but the gameplay remains challenging, crisp, and energetic.

I like most of the songs on the track-list, but a lack of genre variety has left me wanting a little more. Even after one week of play I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be wanting to keep coming back to this one.

Amplitude hits both highs and lows, but is the kind of score-hunting, high difficulty challenge that rhythm fans will love if they’re looking for something fresh. A solid revival for a pillar of the genre.

As a faithful fan of both FreQuency and Amplitude, I'm satisfied with the reboot Harmonix has so lovingly crafted, but as a much different product than the loud, raucous Amplitude I fell in love with as a teenager. I won't keep returning to this Amplitude like I do the 2004 version despite enjoying the soundtrack because it lacks the same kind of replay value for me, but as its own being it absolutely stands on its own feet as a music title evocative of games like Rez or Child of Eden.

With the remake of Amplitude Harmonix shows his passion and expertise for rhythm games, with a perfect blend of gameplay and music. Unfortunately, the difficulty level is not well balanced and some songs are too chaotic.

It’s hard to overstate my enthusiasm for the original Amplitude. While I have reservations about some of the music selections and progression, that doesn’t stop me from enjoying this revival. Amplitude is a taste of the past, but it’s far from outdated.

Amplitude is a gift for the nostalgic, with a limited budget resulting in a limited tracklist. If you're ok with this, then Amplitude still is as good as it was.

It definitely taxes the brain in addicting ways.

Amplitude on PS4 is a very good return of the PS2 classic cult game that shows us the reason because Harmonix is one of the supreme leaders on rhythm games. It offer us a solid, challenging and addictive gameplay experience that is still fresh after more than a decade of the launch of the original title and looks better than ever on actual gen hardware.

In the end, Amplitude isn't quite the masterpiece that many had expected. The idea of a concept album for the Campaign mode is good, but the execution has too many interruptions that prevent the concept from being fully realized.

A good remake of a great rhythm game, even if time hasn’t been too kind with the original and now it doesn’t really have the innovative energy it had when it came out. The peculiar ost might be disliked by some players, but it’s definitely a satisfying romp for fans of electronica. Give it a chance if you need some rhythm in your life.

It's still an engaging rhythm game, and even if the formula is quite simple, it still catches all the player's attention thanks to a very well crafted soundtrack and compelling mechanics. Sadly, the multiplayer is not satisfying.

Fun, but won't last long due it's limited tracklist and being sparse on game modes. The original Amplitude was better, but this version it's addictive too.

Thanks to very precise controls, cool music and a fresh setting, Amplitude is a successful new edition, despite the limited selection of songs.

Amplitude is a labor of love, polished to a beautiful shine and put into fans’ hands by a developer that truly cares about the experience they are offering in revisiting this cult classic. Despite its clean exterior and simple, yet fun gameplay, I fear many will be rather quickly turned away by the steep difficulty curve and a track list that is only good, not great.

It’s content to give you a solid, lasting sense of satisfaction from pushing buttons in the right order and hearing some good music.

Amplitude is a fascinating rhythm game, that focuses on hardcore electronic music. But it gives the player the somewhat unsatisfying feeling to have to catch up with music, rather than "creating" it.

Amplitude won't take over your Rock Band party nights, but it might be quirky enough to give you a few evenings of trippy, challenging button mashing. If you enjoy music games, give it a try.

Despite the lack of innovation, Amplitude it’s still a good rhythm game with a decent electronic tracklist and the classic gameplay from the original PS2 title. Too bad for the price and the limited selection of music genres.

Amplitude is a fun rhythm game that manages to successfully create the feeling of actively participating in the mixing of the songs. On the other hand, the heavy electronic sounds are not for everyone and the small amount of songs hurts its overall longevity.

Amplitude is - thanks to its rhythmic and quick gameplay - just as awesome as it used to be, but the weak and monotonous soundtrack is a let-down.

The game’s lack of engaging narrative and experimental soundtrack are likely to alienate some of the more casual gamers who would give Amplitude a shot.

Ultimately, Amplitude fails to recapture the magic that elevated the original to cult status, but it does deliver an impressive and enjoyable slice of quick-hit rhythm gaming fun.

Amplitude is a game best enjoyed in short bursts. Despite the lack of a remarkable soundtrack, its contents are very enjoyable and the simplicity of its mechanics makes you want to play it over and over again, although it may not keep you entertained for many hours in a row.

Despite its improved HD veneer and tweaked controls, I just didn’t find the Amplitude of 2016 to be as addictive or long-lasting an experience as the Amplitude of 2003.

While some more star power in the soundtrack would have went a long way, and the way Harmonix artificially pads the game's length with its song unlock requirements is ridiculous, Amplitude remains an exciting blend of rhythm action and electronica that does well by its predecessors.

Looking and playing very similarly to the 2003 original, the new Amplitude packs a thumping good progressive electronica soundtrack which suits its slick and nicely polished gameplay perfectly. Where the game does fall a little flat is in its lasting appeal. It doesn't take long to beat the campaign and unlock almost all of its tracks, and once you've done that, the leaderboards are the only place where a long-term challenge can be found.

A welcome reboot of a great rhythm action game, although the lack of new ideas and disappointing soundtrack leaves things a little off kilter.

Overall Amplitude’s return is an enjoyable one, though the game’s campaign set-list has just as many tracks that would clear the dancefloor as fill it.

Considering its price, Amplitude is an solid alternative for those who don't want to break bank for the new Guitar Hero or Rock Band games and their pricey peripherals.

Amplitude has a great soundtrack and is really addictive, but lacks any real longevity or appeal beyond the first five or six hours of play.

Amplitude lacks both the visual and audible punch its predecessor delivered, but the gameplay still manages to be immersive, intense and often enjoyable.

This is a game clearly made for long-standing fans, and made by a passionate team that strived to recreate the gameplay experience of the original on modern hardware. In that sense, Amplitude is a total success.

Harmonix has delivered a reboot that perfectly captures the spirit and rock solid mechanics of the original, which is something that should be commended.

Amplitude brings the series back in a great way, featuring all the arcade rhythm action that players will remember from the 2003 classic. However, the song choices here are woefully inadequate compared to previous offerings, dragging the whole thing down quite a bit.

The absence of licensed songs and the lack of modes are just too big of issues for me to give Amplitude a full recommendation. If you haven’t played Amplitude before you might want to wait for a sale before you check it out or consider moving on to Rock Band 4.

The gameplay is still great, but Amplitude’s content is scarce and electronic soundtrack (half of which was composed in-house) is simply boring. [03/2016, p.61]

Amplitude is a bit of a disappointment. It plays well enough and it’s awfully slick-looking, but the lack of a diverse array of songs really puts a damper on the experience.

Amplitude is a competent rhythm game that should provide lots of fun at parties, but the hamstrung tracklist is a severe detriment to its longevity. Harmonix was able to preserve the classic experience, but may have gone overboard in its effort to do so.

Amplitude is destined for most people to become that slightly off record from their favourite band. You spun it a few times the day you bought it, and you really did try to love it. But now it just sits there, rarely played, a reminder that even those you admire most are capable of mistakes.

A lack of variety doesn’t stop this being a wholly welcome return for Amplitude. It has a thumping heart and soul, a timeless nucleus of gameplay that I hope Harmonix has the opportunity to build upon. A euphoric finger dance across a fizzing, abstract space.

Being an indie Kickstarter project, I get why Harmonix couldn’t get us Bowie anymore, but the original compositions are nowhere near good enough to replace what used to be on offer.

Multiple design decisions were seemingly made to extend the already shallow playtime, the campaign isn’t all that interesting, the multiplayer is one of the worst in the rhythm genre, and worst of all the music is dull.