Let's talk about one of the more unique forms of gaming.
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.
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!
Block rockin beats available via XBL. An essential purchase.
But I don't like rail shooters!
What, you prefer falling notes?
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.
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?
A newly released WiiWare program with retro style chiptunes, and hardcore to spare.
Failing that, I guess you could go tap a future tapping game.
Or something
That's about all I can think of, so-
Oh right,
them.
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.
They're up there in years, but they still have hardcore to spare.
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)
Posts
it's CJ posting, don't expect him to get it right
My sense of time and dates is a little off
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.
I think Bit Trip was made in the States as well.
i like that game
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.
I own that game and play that game
I have no idea what's going on but I like it
Frequency too was good. Lumines was more puzzle-y, but the music was an integral part. Also it ruled.
I think people are way too easily impressed by shiny objects.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/rez/rez.htm
Whether it's Synaesthesia or not, it was certainly inspired by it.
video games aren't a disease?
why i never
does it count
It looks pretty good.
Silly as Hell, but in a good way. Like Parappa with guitars.
edit: whoa, talk about timing
Steam Switch FC: 2799-7909-4852
It's good, but Gitaroo-Man and Rock Band Unplugged are still my non-peripheral music games of choice.
as of today; yesterday
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:
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
TATAKE!!!
OOOUUUUUEEEENDAAAAAAAAAN!!!!!!!!!!!!
hey satan...: thinkgeek amazon My post |
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHr0-EpQzBw
It's funny how it's the easiest song in EBA. Non-cover wins, anyway.