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Welcome To Synaesthesia

cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm RegentBears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
edited July 2009 in Social Entropy++
Let's talk about one of the more unique forms of gaming.

RezBoxArt.jpg

The kind where you key buttons and make melodies.

Rez is a foremost example of Synaesthesiac gaming, as destroying the objects on-screen adds to the melody of the game, like so.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4EFNWe4mCc

A Dreamcast & PS2 game, Rez is the brainchild of Tetsuya Mizuguchi, responsible for trippy classics such as Space Channel 5, Lumines, Meteos, Ninety Nine Nights, etc.

It also makes key use of the dual shock functionality, as the controller pulses to the beat of the song in each level as it intensifies.

rez-3a.jpg

There was also a special peripheral designed just for Rez, and possibly another type of audience altogether. But that's another story.


So you don't have a PS2 or Dreamcast? Good thing there's this!

250px-Rez_HD_Logo.png

Block rockin beats available via XBL. An essential purchase.


But I don't like rail shooters!

What, you prefer falling notes?


DJ_Max_Fever_Coverart.png

This is probably the most common form of musical gaming, wherein falling notes are hit to a beat, usually creating or adding to the resulting song.

03.jpg

DJ MAX is a PSP program, but the end result is the same.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

There's also a PC version if you're feeling import-adventurous.


Beyond that, there's a few dozen variations on this formula: Beatmania, Pop'n Music, even a couple games involving a guitar peripheral you've probably heard of.


How about something a little different?

btc.jpg


A newly released WiiWare program with retro style chiptunes, and hardcore to spare.

BTC02.jpg


Failing that, I guess you could go tap a future tapping game.

Or something


That's about all I can think of, so-


ouendankaioq7.gif

Oh right, them.

ouendan_01.jpg

Ouendan/Elite Beat Agents are a series of one-of-a-kind awesome rhythm games on the DS, developed by the psychos at iNiS, also responsible for PS2's Gitaroo Man, which is arguably the hardest music game ever made.
(Take a look at Sanbone Trio on Expert if you doubt that. Go on, I'll wait.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBqjBmz4LNQ&feature=related

I've never beaten that level and I never care to. But anyway.

Ouendan's more of a J-poppy game, but it's still quite fun. If you absolutely need your Ashlee Simpson fix, there's always EBA. It's still a fun game, just be forewarned that some of the tracks are awful. On the bright side, it has September.


If you want to check out what Harmonix did before Guitar Hero made them popular with the cool kids, you should check out their original projects.

freq.jpgamp.jpg

They're up there in years, but they still have hardcore to spare.

amp-9.jpg

Oh, and good music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkzD4-GBumc&feature=related
(Those guys have been in every game Harmonix has done.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-ulYP28IC0


And if you decide you want to go out and be a social rhythm gamer, there's always the kind that requires a work out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NCA7QoWSsc

Skills may vary, see Brazil for details.


Feel free to bring up any essential music games I neglected to mention. Just stay on beat.

(Also, DDR sucks.*

*now)

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cj iwakura on
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Posts

  • BlankspaceBlankspace __BANNED USERS regular
    edited July 2009
    NINTENDOLIFE

    Blankspace on
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  • DruhimDruhim Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited July 2009
    this is not synaesthesia

    Druhim on
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  • I Win SwordfightsI Win Swordfights all the traits of greatness starlight at my feetRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Gitaroo Man was spectacular

    I Win Swordfights on
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  • Sars_BoySars_Boy Rest, You Are The Lightning. Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    apparently the PSP Rock band is like an amplitude sequel

    Sars_Boy on
  • AntimatterAntimatter Devo Was Right Gates of SteelRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Druhim wrote: »
    this is not synaesthesia

    it's CJ posting, don't expect him to get it right

    Antimatter on
  • I Win SwordfightsI Win Swordfights all the traits of greatness starlight at my feetRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Antimatter, was your birthday today or yesterday

    My sense of time and dates is a little off

    I Win Swordfights on
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  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Sars_Boy wrote: »
    apparently the PSP Rock band is like an amplitude sequel

    It is. Individual tracks of notes per instrument, clearing them all makes a song.


    And hey, if you have fault with Rez being billed as Synaesthesia, blame Mizuguchi, it was his idea.

    cj iwakura on
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  • WallhitterWallhitter Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    This thread tastes purple.

    Wallhitter on
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I hear this dude likes japan

    Kuribo's Shoe on
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  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Frequency's one of my favorites, and it's from straight outta Boston.

    I think Bit Trip was made in the States as well.

    cj iwakura on
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  • Mr. GMr. G Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I want a PSP just for Rock Band Unplugged, Frequency/Amplitude on the go fuck yea

    Mr. G on
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  • OrikaeshigitaeOrikaeshigitae Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited July 2009
    pixeljunk eden is synaesthetic as well

    i like that game

    Orikaeshigitae on
  • Kuribo's ShoeKuribo's Shoe Kuribo's Stocking North PoleRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I guess.

    I guess I don't care about rhythm games enough to play more than one or two of 'em. like, I have rock band and rez, and that's really about all you need.

    but that's just me.

    also ddr sucks.

    Kuribo's Shoe on
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  • Mr. GMr. G Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    pixeljunk eden is synaesthetic as well

    i like that game

    I own that game and play that game

    I have no idea what's going on but I like it

    Mr. G on
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  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Yes it does.

    cj iwakura on
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  • JohnHamJohnHam Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I found PaRappa the Rapper compelling.

    Frequency too was good. Lumines was more puzzle-y, but the music was an integral part. Also it ruled.

    JohnHam on
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  • ZombiemamboZombiemambo Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I didn't like Rez at all

    Zombiemambo on
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  • DavoidDavoid Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    This is synaesthesia? Man, all my psychology and neurology courses were totally wrong

    Davoid on
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  • JasconiusJasconius sword criminal mad onlineRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I didn't find Rez to be that great.

    I think people are way too easily impressed by shiny objects.

    Jasconius on
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    we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
  • DavoidDavoid Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Man, Japan is pretty terrible

    Davoid on
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  • slowslow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    i'd feel wrong roundly denouncing the country that gave us tentacle rape

    slow on
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Just to get this tangent out of the way:
    If Rez is one of the few successful attempts at a synthesis between video games and art (and it is), it is due largely to the influence of an early 20th century Russian painter by the name of Wassily Kandinsky. The term "synaesthesia" was tied to Kadinsky's paintings half a century before computer games (let alone sophisticated gaming consoles such as the Dreamcast and PS2) even existed. Kandinsky supposedly experienced synaesthetic perception himself, hearing sound in color and seeing color in sound. This is the basis of Kandinsky's philosophy towards art, and undoubtedly what Mizuguchi strove for in developing Rez. "K-Project," Rez's development name, is a direct homage to Kandinsky, and the entire game seems to be a realization of one of the painter's most famous quotes: "Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul."

    Sound, Kandinsky believed, was the main feature of the universe. The realm of the spiritual manifested itself through vibration. Kandinsky therfore believed that music was the highest art form, and that all art in its various other forms should strive to incorporate as many aspects and elements of the musical condition as the artist could allow. If the other titles Mizuguchi has developed (Space Channel 5, Lumines) and his comment that the very first consideration during Rez's development was the musical artists and songs to be featured, he seems to agree with Kandinsky's sentiments in this respect.

    http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rez/rez.htm

    Whether it's Synaesthesia or not, it was certainly inspired by it.

    cj iwakura on
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  • Mr. GMr. G Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Also Rez came with a vibrator

    Mr. G on
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  • FalloutFallout GIRL'S DAY WAS PRETTY GOOD WHILE THEY LASTEDRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    these games look dope
    Druhim wrote: »
    this is not synaesthesia

    video games aren't a disease?

    why i never

    Fallout on
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  • RedeemerRedeemer Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Uh oh I think I want to play Lumines now

    Redeemer on
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  • KazhiimKazhiim __BANNED USERS regular
    edited July 2009
    Audiosurf is pretty cool

    does it count

    Kazhiim on
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  • slowslow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    has this thread drifted to parappa yet

    slow on
  • slowslow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    because i want to know when it does

    slow on
  • GoatmonGoatmon Companion of Kess Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Gitaroo Man was spectacular

    It looks pretty good.

    Silly as Hell, but in a good way. Like Parappa with guitars.

    edit: whoa, talk about timing

    Goatmon on
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  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Goatmon wrote: »
    Gitaroo Man was spectacular

    It looks pretty good.

    Silly as Hell, but in a good way. Like Parappa with guitars.

    UmJammer_Lammy_Coverart.png

    cj iwakura on
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  • RadiusRadius Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    The best part of Gitaroo Man is when Lenny Kravitz comes out in a Bee costume and challenges you to a rockoff with his trumpet.

    Radius on
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  • Octopus MelodyOctopus Melody Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I really liked Rez, it was awesome. Never played any of those other games, though.

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    Octopus Melody on
  • UnbreakableVowUnbreakableVow Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    cj: I got DJ Max Fever from your recommendation last weekend.

    It's good, but Gitaroo-Man and Rock Band Unplugged are still my non-peripheral music games of choice.

    UnbreakableVow on
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    I wish Lammy would get a PSP port like Parappa did.

    cj iwakura on
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  • AntimatterAntimatter Devo Was Right Gates of SteelRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Antimatter, was your birthday today or yesterday

    My sense of time and dates is a little off

    as of today; yesterday

    Antimatter on
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] new member
    edited July 2009
    The user and all related content has been deleted.

    [Deleted User] on
  • SzechuanosaurusSzechuanosaurus Registered User, ClubPA regular
    edited July 2009
    I made a game involving synthesised music when I was at university and then Elektroplankton and fl0w and Spore stole all the core elements and I got dejected and turned my back on the games industry in favour of becoming a full-time internet forum poster.

    Szechuanosaurus on
  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    Sounds like an interesting game.

    I could have added more obscure games to the OP, but I didn't want to make it more niche than it already is.

    All the same, here's one that almost no one but me knows about:

    Unison_Coverart.png


    Think Para Para Paradise if Team Ninja and UGA(Space Channel 5) worked together on a sequel.

    Mostly retro in appearance, but the OST goes all over the place. Techno, rap, R&B, even(especially?) disco.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EfYQ1yicSU

    cj iwakura on
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  • MugginsMuggins Registered User regular
    edited July 2009
    OSU

    TATAKE!!!

    OOOUUUUUEEEENDAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Muggins on
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  • cj iwakuracj iwakura The Rhythm Regent Bears The Name FreedomRegistered User regular
    edited July 2009
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtX5bHY0aYA
    VS!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHr0-EpQzBw


    It's funny how it's the easiest song in EBA. Non-cover wins, anyway.

    cj iwakura on
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