Amplitude

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 51
  3. Negative: 7 out of 51

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. Captiosus
    Jan 6, 2016
    7
    There was a time when the original Amplitude almost never left my PS2. I was hardcore about finishing all of the tracks on the hardest difficulty. 100%'ing Robot Rockerz (Komputer Kontroller [aka Kasson Crooker, aka Symbion Project]) on Insane back in the day still makes me smirk - that track wasn't for the meek. That said, having now finished all 15 of the campaign songs on IntermediateThere was a time when the original Amplitude almost never left my PS2. I was hardcore about finishing all of the tracks on the hardest difficulty. 100%'ing Robot Rockerz (Komputer Kontroller [aka Kasson Crooker, aka Symbion Project]) on Insane back in the day still makes me smirk - that track wasn't for the meek. That said, having now finished all 15 of the campaign songs on Intermediate difficulty I give the game a solid 7. My biggest issues with the game are:

    The soundtrack is hit-or-miss and since there very little deviation in the types of EDM presented, it all starts to blur together. The original had good remixes of then popular tracks that fit with the futuristic theme and still made sense. For instance, I really enjoyed tracks like Run-DMC, Herbie Hancock, and David Bowie on the original as the mixes fit with the style but helped keep everything from feeling too similar. Even the in-house offerings in the original were more diverse; compare Cooker's DJ HMX 'Cool Baby' track to his later, more difficult tracks in the original. Unfortunately, by the third 'lobe' in this new version, I was pretty tired of the electronic dub, house, and drum-and-bass tracks (and I usually REALLY enjoy EDM). I don't know what MozartBananas is talking about but I do very much "get it" and Harmonix wasn't scared to add tracks outside of EDM back in the original Amplitude and it was better off for it. Go listen to the Crystal Method remix of P.O.D.'s "Boom", one of the first tracks in the original game. It fit the style just fine while offering diversity of songs throughout the game. I get that this game probably didn't have the budget for a bunch of licensed track remixes and that's a bit of a shame, IMO.

    Why do I have to replay the entire campaign instead of being able to select specific lobes and replay them like the original Amplitude did with the beat factory locations? This is a step backward and makes me not want to play campaign again. I can just as easily play the tracks on harder difficulties in quick play. Meanwhile, some of the best songs aren't in the campaign (looking at you, Synthesized 2.0). While the concept album design of the campaign is interesting, there's no compelling reason to do it again as it doesn't change nor does it offer tracks unique to campaign alone.

    The difficulty curve is a bit nutso this time around. I remember moving up from normal to brutal to insane on the original game and feeling challenged but not overwhelmed as I gradually stepped up. This time though, the step up from Intermediate to Advanced is painful. I'd argue that Advanced is almost as hard as Insane was on the original Amplitude, especially given the tracklist and its overuse of 130bpm and higher tracks. There's very little to gradually ease you into the increase.

    And finally: I have now tried on three different TVs and, try as I might I simply cannot get the damn thing synced right. Thankfully the game has a small bit of forgiveness in the timing so it doesn't impede gameplay TOO much (though it's not as forgiving on Advanced or Expert). That said, I still find myself losing streaks because the A/V sync is just a few milliseconds off no matter how I try to calibrate the timing with the in game options.

    Multiplayer is pretty fun but suffers the same limitations due to the tracklist and difficulty curve.

    Overall it's a decent game, solid, but not as solid as the original. I just don't feel the same need to go back and really nail these tracks like I did with the first game due to the issues above.    … Expand
  2. Kenmei
    Jan 11, 2016
    7
    Good sequel to one of the original Rhythm series. It's a good example of a good Kickstarter game as well. The tracks are pretty weak though. I understand the theme of Dance/Electronica music that permeates the game but the songs are not very good. There are some good songs scattered among the lot but the majority of them are not very good. Plus the ramp up in difficulty will throw someGood sequel to one of the original Rhythm series. It's a good example of a good Kickstarter game as well. The tracks are pretty weak though. I understand the theme of Dance/Electronica music that permeates the game but the songs are not very good. There are some good songs scattered among the lot but the majority of them are not very good. Plus the ramp up in difficulty will throw some players off. I like that they brought back the series but it's a bit underwhelming for me.… Expand
  3. pjh3000
    Feb 29, 2016
    10
    This is the most enjoyable experience I've had in a long time. I was a big fan of Frequency and the original Amplitude. This continues the awesomeness that was those two classic games, while adding new songs, and an overall better graphical experience. I can't recommend it enough!
  4. GreenMachineG
    Jan 11, 2016
    8
    My initial thoughts on Amplitude are that it is just straight rad. Totally totally rad! There is no need for any guitar controller, or outrageous price to get your rhythm game fix, as I think that Amplitude owns the single player rhythm genre! This game is much better than it's rhythm rival Guitar Hero Live for single player gameplay.

    The game has a vague sci-fi back story happening    My initial thoughts on Amplitude are that it is just straight rad. Totally totally rad! There is no need for any guitar controller, or outrageous price to get your rhythm game fix, as I think that Amplitude owns the single player rhythm genre! This game is much better than it's rhythm rival Guitar Hero Live for single player gameplay.

    The game has a vague sci-fi back story happening that never really gets explained, but it is enough to make you understand what exactly you are doing with your little ship, and is enough to make you care for what is actually going on here.

    Amplitude features intuitive controls with exciting electronica tracks that lead you pulse by pulse through the levels. If you aren't a fan of electronica, however, I might warn you as this game is nothing but electronica. I find it to be perfect for the beat simulator, so that didn't bother me a bit, and I definitely preferred it to random songs that either made no sense, or I had never heard of.

    There are a few cool ship designs, that don't really differ, but add a nice touch. Great mechanics are featured throughout, and the difficulty is perfect from level to level, and progresses nicely.

    The only real downside is that the game is quite short, but for $20 you can't go wrong, and the progressive difficulty allows for a lot of replay-ability, and urges you to master each track and every difficulty.

    If you love Guitar Hero or Rock Band, play this game!

    8.0/10    … Expand
  5. Bloomorte
    Jan 6, 2016
    9
    I am a big fan of the original, and I'm very happy with this new game. Although some reviewers claims that the soundtrack is lame, I particularly loved it, not only because the songs are good, but also because most of them are fun as hell to play.

    Visuals are very beautiful, gameplay is amazing and the charts - wich were one of my highest concerns - are creative and fun. I haven't    I am a big fan of the original, and I'm very happy with this new game. Although some reviewers claims that the soundtrack is lame, I particularly loved it, not only because the songs are good, but also because most of them are fun as hell to play.

    Visuals are very beautiful, gameplay is amazing and the charts - wich were one of my highest concerns - are creative and fun.

    I haven't given a 10 score because the original had an online multiplayer, and it was very good. This one only has leaderboards - wich still kept me playing after I got the platinum trophy - but it still feels like this game needs the old online multiplayer back.

    Also, although I have enjoyed most songs, the setlist is short.

    Overall, it is a very fun game with very addictive gameplay and nice visuals, but the lack of online multiplayer leaves a huge taste of something missing.    … Expand
  6. MozartBananas
    Jan 5, 2016
    10
    First off I played the original Amplitude back in the day and am familiar with the gameplay. The original games were $40 and this one is oddly $20. If you aren't a music rhythm game person, or only listen to one genre of music...this game probably isn't for you. If you like music, especially electronic music, and like music rhythm games... THIS GAME IS FOR YOU!

    It seems like Harmonix    First off I played the original Amplitude back in the day and am familiar with the gameplay. The original games were $40 and this one is oddly $20. If you aren't a music rhythm game person, or only listen to one genre of music...this game probably isn't for you. If you like music, especially electronic music, and like music rhythm games... THIS GAME IS FOR YOU!

    It seems like Harmonix really focused on nailing the gameplay. Streaking is emphasized from the get go, and is the only real way to rack up points. There's new multiplayer modes (team play!). The ships are color coded better to tell each player apart. There's a new concept of "Boss Songs" where you have to maintain a streak to get through the gates without receiving damage. Really Fun!!

    Then there's the soundtrack. I am an electronic music fan, and I love it! I see a lot of reviewers complain about not having any Weezer, or POD, or whatever but A. I don't think the reviewers "get it" - they don't get the cyber vibe of the game(I don't think that top 40 music would fit this game at all), and B. If I wanted to play those songs, I would go play Rock Band. I'd rather hear something new and refreshing that was created for the experience!!!

    There are "campaign" songs and 15 unlocks. It seemed like they made the campaign songs about a narrative(more on that later). Each song has different genres infused into, like Electro,Breakcore, Drum n Bass, Techno, Dubstep, and even some that feel like Steve Reich, Rock, and Fleet Foxes. There's a ton of variation in here. As you progress through each world, it seems like the tempo gets faster and faster.

    As you play through the campaign you unlock songs by Symbion Project (Concept is one of my favs), Freezepop, George and Jonathan, C418, etc.. a bunch of awesome indie electronic musicians which is really cool and un expected.

    Amplitude feels like a work of art, visually and audibly. It's a game focused around a crazy narrative about what I think is inducing synesthesia into someone, and have it go horribly wrong. You can tell the amount of work that went into crafting each world and song. It's really cool to see a company like Harmonix release a title like this in a time that most game company's don't want to take risks.

    I can't really complain much for a $20 game, but my minor annoyances are-
    No online multiplayer
    No Remix mode
    A little grindy to unlock songs    … Expand
  7. vreynauld
    Jan 6, 2016
    5
    Amplitude 2016: It has the gameplay of the original but it's missing all of the spirit and charm. The most important part of a rhythm game is the soundtrack and this one is a disaster. Nothing but electronica that sounds the same from song to song and the very few exceptions are buried behind grinding the boring songs endlessly. For a company that once went out of their way to find indieAmplitude 2016: It has the gameplay of the original but it's missing all of the spirit and charm. The most important part of a rhythm game is the soundtrack and this one is a disaster. Nothing but electronica that sounds the same from song to song and the very few exceptions are buried behind grinding the boring songs endlessly. For a company that once went out of their way to find indie acts for their Rock Band catalog, there's no excuse for this joke of a playlist. Just another example of the failure of crowd-funding a game based on nostalgia alone. Save your money, download a PS2 emulator and play the original on your PC.… Expand
  8. DJAftershock
    Jan 18, 2016
    9
    This game is weird. This game is weird. This game is really goddamn weird. It's a rhythm game where you play several instruments at the same time to experimental music as a spaceship. Did I mention this game was weird? This is the reboot of that one Harmonix series that sold about 10 copies but got several 9s and 10s across the board, something which Rock Band Blitz imitates heavily. ButThis game is weird. This game is weird. This game is really goddamn weird. It's a rhythm game where you play several instruments at the same time to experimental music as a spaceship. Did I mention this game was weird? This is the reboot of that one Harmonix series that sold about 10 copies but got several 9s and 10s across the board, something which Rock Band Blitz imitates heavily. But unlike Rock Band, this music is more electronic and experimental than a Nirvana song. You get three notes to each highway, and you shift back and forth between them. It's simple yet addictive, something which is helped by the music being ridiculously awesome. There's difficulty settings to adjust in case you're terrible, and each ship creates a different effect. Possibly the only time you'll see a 'select a character' screen actually MEAN something in a rhythm game. Overall, it's vibrant, energetic, and addictive with a killer soundtrack. And that's all a rhythm game really ever needs to be. GG, Harmonix.… Expand
  9. vahn
    Mar 10, 2018
    7
    I played the original Amplitude (and its prequel Frequency) like crazy back on the ps2 era - alongside Gitaroo man and Space Channel 5 part 1 and 2 - and I can't even begin telling how many days I tried attempting getting 4 bars on all songs on expert. Plot Twist: I didn't make it.

    With that said, this game is...okay, but at the same time I can't really judge it properly because music    I played the original Amplitude (and its prequel Frequency) like crazy back on the ps2 era - alongside Gitaroo man and Space Channel 5 part 1 and 2 - and I can't even begin telling how many days I tried attempting getting 4 bars on all songs on expert. Plot Twist: I didn't make it.

    With that said, this game is...okay, but at the same time I can't really judge it properly because music taste is always a very subjective and touchy manner.

    Let me start by saying what's good and improved about the game: the controls are more customizable and feel more responsive, something that the original seemed to lack. It's so much more responsive now that patterns I failed in the original I can do them easily here and I believe it's both thanks to the options and the controller.

    Graphics are great: stylized and colorful...but for some reason, it feels closer to Frequency than Amplitude itself. Not bad but just different

    There are 30 songs (up from 26 of the original) and most of them are hit and miss...I'll come back later.

    Honestly the game does feel better, but there are things that just didn't click with me: for instance the campaign is a lot shorter and doesn't allow you to choose which area to play, forcing you to replay the game from the start.
    Campaign mode has only 15 songs - 12 main songs + 3 secret songs - and once you're done unlocking them you need to play more to unlock the remaining ones: not a bad way to make you play the game but the original had a fun campaign too! Overall it's short and forgettable but it is stylish.

    Most songs are hit or miss, but let's be fair: music is a very touchy and subjective manner and songs I might dislike, others might love them. Personally, I loved a few of them like Phantoms, Dalatecht and Dreamer, but many others just didn't click with me. It's also a nice touch to play songs from other games, like Crypteque from Crypt of the Necrodancer and Unfinished Business from Skullgirls or even Impossible from Transistor, so kudos.
    But Frankly I still prefer the original Amplitude and Frequency OST and while I didn't expect this game to have a proper soundtrack like the others, I guess I expected more...but again, subjective tastes: check the OST yourself to see if you like the songs or not.

    The game also lacks customization: in Amplitude you could customize an avatar with pieces of gear to make it look weird or not - heck even Frequency did this, albeit much simpler. In here all we get to change is the ship from 4 (Raven, Chubs, Boxy, Shogun) and while their design is slightly different, it's not really a big deal.
    There's also no Remix mode! Granted I never used it in the original - I sucked at it - but It's still nice to be able to change and remix your songs! Too bad!

    And one last thing that I noticed...now I'm not a super player of this game, but I found the difficulty to spike rather uncontrollably sometimes. Some songs on expert can be really crazy and near unbeatable, but some others are actually rather good and tame. On top of that there's 5 difficulties now (Super) and you unlock it by beating the entire campaign on expert, which is incredibly difficult! If you thought Spaztik was tough or Komputer Kontroller was nasty, get ready for a beating of your life!

    In conclusion, I think this game is good, very good, but I also think they should've made the songs more varied: Frequency OST had this issue too and I remember getting bored pretty easily, while Amplitude made it all better by giving more variation in the song list (from techno, to drum and bass, from rock, to trance). I didn't expect much honestly because this is a kickstarted game, and funds are limited. Overall I think it's a good remake and I hope for more in the future.

    And since it's only 20 bucks on the psn store, it's worth the price.    … Expand
  10. Kraitos
    Feb 13, 2018
    10
    This is the best game i have ever played and i hope that everyone that plays it enjoys it like i did
  11. painava
    Jan 16, 2020
    6
    Enjoyed the gameplay, the songs not so much. It's a pretty short game, but there's challenge for those who wish to go for perfect scores.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Mixed or average reviews - based on 59 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 59
  2. Mixed: 28 out of 59
  3. Negative: 1 out of 59
  1. CD-Action
    Mar 30, 2016
    65
    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]
  2. Games Master UK
    Feb 26, 2016
    85
    Terrifically addictive and filled with songs that you'll want to play repeatedly. The RSI will be worth it. [Feb 2016, p.83]
  3. Play UK
    Feb 24, 2016
    80
    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]
See all critic reviews »