Audiosurf

Sun, 23 Mar 2008 13:08:02 -0500

So, this week, I'm going to look at Audiosurf, now avalible on Steam. Every week from now on, assuming I remember, I'll post a review of a mod, game or board/tabletop/roleplaying game I've found. First off, lets have a look at gameplay: It's simple enough, hell, it easily lives under my rule, being that there's maybe 2 buttons you'll EVER need. Left mouse and right mouse. In total controls, it's got mouse, that's it. You can use a keyboard, or even a 360 controller, but the mouse is much simpler to use, for me. Actual objective: Collect coloured blocks, form them into groups of 3 or more. Multiple game modes allow different gameplay across the same levels. Level design: Inspired. The game renders the level based on the sound and related attributes of your own music, meaning you choose a song from your own music collection and the level is created, and then plays with that song as the music for that level. Gameplay therefore scores 9/10 - There's some issues I've found in playing, but none major. Graphics: At first, Audiosurf looks graphically simple. And indeed, to an extent, it is. But it's an awesome game to play none the less. Simple and aestheticly pleasing, the only issues I've had are where some of the background elements overlap the actual path of the level, which makes it impossible to see the pathway. And for all of it's simplicity, audiosurf maintains a nice, even balance. The 'characters' are relatively complex, and indeed, demonstrate a level of thought about the simple design combined with the musical base of the game. Graphics therefore scores 8/10 - They need to cure the background issue, and sometimes the lighting wears on the eyes, but it's very pleasing normally. Sound: Audiosurf uses your own music for level background, and the actual sound effects for collecting blocks are player selectable from 4 alternatives and absolute silence. Since you will have various types of music, there are conditions where the various effects are useful. Sound thus scores a 9/10 - The sounds can be a little jarring at times, but are generally good. So, overall? Audiosurf sees a grand total of 8.5 out of 10 from me. It's not perfect, but it's certainly well above the river of shit that's out there. Next week: Philip Muwanga's Squad Commander

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Audiosurf