Amplitude

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.