Amplitude
Developer(s)Harmonix
Publisher(s)Harmonix
Platform(s)PlayStation 3
PlayStation 4
ReleasePlayStation 4
January 5, 2016
PlayStation 3
April 3, 2016
Genre(s)Music
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Amplitude is a 2016 music video game developed and published by Harmonix. As the reboot of Amplitude (2003), the game was released in 2016 for PlayStation 4 in January and for PlayStation 3 in April. The game received generally average reviews upon release.

Gameplay

The new game would keep the same style of gameplay from the original title, but would feature new songs, modern graphics, and integration of the modern hardware features of the PlayStation consoles and DualShock controller.

In addition to the original's features, the game includes team play mode, allowing for cooperative-competitive gameplay.[1] This mode, suggested by Harmonix' Pete Maguire and added late in the development period, allows two teams, either 2-on-2 or 3-on-1, to play through a song without failing, accounting for player difficulty levels between all players.[2] The game also includes a FreQuency mode, where the nearly-flat track layout can be switched to the tunnel approach that was used in the original FreQuency.[3] Harmonix developed a new game engine, Forge, which was also used for the development of Rock Band 4,[4] for the reboot.

Development

Harmonix launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise US$775,000 to fund a successor for Amplitude, which would be released digitally and physically for PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 in May 2014.[5] The campaign reached its target on May 22, within 24 hours of the funding period's deadline.[6] The Kickstarter completed with over $844,000 in funds from over 14,000 users.[7] Major funding backers included Insomniac Games' CEO Ted Price.[8]

Harmonix's Ryan Lesser stated the choice for using Kickstarter was based on knowing that demand was high for a sequel to Amplitude, and opted to use the crowd-funding mechanism to see if it was a viable vehicle for future projects for the company.[9] The company later said that they have also tried to obtain funding for this reboot by other means prior to using Kickstarter, and noted that the funds they seek were less than half of the amount needed, having planned to provide the other half from internal funding if the response was good.[10] Harmonix noted that the game would be exclusive to PlayStation platforms, as the Amplitude concepts and trademark remain property of Sony.[11]

Originally the game was planned to be released with music provided by in-house musicians from Harmonix with the possibility of licensed music by reaching various stretch goals. During the Kickstarter period they were able to secure offerings by groups like Freezepop and Kasson Crooker who have provided music before for the original Amplitude as well as other popular video game music groups including Anamanaguchi, Danny Baranowsky, and Jim Guthrie.[12] A total of 30 songs were expected to ship with the title on release.

Though originally slated to be released in March 2015, Harmonix said that due to their inexperience on working on the PlayStation 4 platform, they were aiming for an early 2016 release to assure the quality of the reboot.[13] The reboot was released in January 2016 for the PlayStation 4 with the PlayStation 3 version releasing on April 5.[14]

Songs

The game shipped with more than 30 songs, including 15 songs composed by Harmonix in the game's "concept album", used for the game's campaign mode.[15]

Song title Artist Brain Region Original/Remix track created for Amplitude?
"01 Perfect Brain" Harmonix Music Systems 1.11. Prefrontal Cortex Yes
"02 Wetware" Harmonix Music Systems 1.11. Prefrontal Cortex Yes
"03 Dreamer" Harmonix Music Systems 1.11. Prefrontal Cortex Yes
"04 Recession" Jeff Allen featuring Noelle LeBlanc & Naoko Takamoto 1.11. Prefrontal Cortex Yes
"05 Break For Me" James Landino featuring Noelle LeBlanc 1.11. Prefrontal Cortex Yes
"06 Decode Me" inter:sect featuring Noelle LeBlanc & Naoko Takamoto 1.12. Temporal Lobe Yes
"07 I.C.U." Harmonix Music Systems 1.12. Temporal Lobe Yes
"08 Human Love" Harmonix Music Systems 1.12. Temporal Lobe Yes
"09 Astrosight" inter:sect featuring Noelle LeBlanc & Naoko Takamoto 1.12. Temporal Lobe Yes
"10 Magpie" Harmonix Music Systems 1.12. Temporal Lobe Yes
"11 Supraspatial" Jeff Allen featuring Naoko Takamoto 1.13. Limbic System Yes
"12 Digital Paralysis" Harmonix Music Systems 1.13. Limbic System Yes
"13 Energize" Harmonix Music Systems 1.13. Limbic System Yes
"14 Dalatecht" Harmonix Music Systems 1.13. Limbic System Yes
"15 Wayfarer" Harmonix Music Systems 1.13. Limbic System Yes
"All The Time" C418 1.1Quickplay Yes
"Assault on Psychofortress" Single White Infidel 1.1Quickplay No
"Concept" Symbion Project 1.1Quickplay No
"Crazy Ride" Insomniac Games 1.1Quickplay No
"Crypteque (1-2)" Danny Baranowsky 1.1Quickplay No
"Crystal" George & Jonathan 1.1Quickplay Shortened
"Do Not Retreat" † Komputer Kontroller 1.1Quickplay No
"Entomophobia" M-Cue 1.1Quickplay Remix
"Force Quit" Jim Guthrie 1.1Quickplay Yes
"Impossible" Darren Korb 1.1Quickplay No
"Lights" Wolfgun 1.1Quickplay Shortened
"Muze (Amplitude Remix)" Ingrid Lukas, Remix by Patrik Zosso and Nik Bärtsch 1.1Quickplay Remix
"Phantoms" Freezepop 1.1Quickplay No
"Red Giant" Kodomo 1.1Quickplay Shortened
"Synthesized (Inside Your Mind Remix)" Symbion Project 1.1Quickplay Remix
"Unfinished Business" Shiohito Taki & Junichi Kamiunten 1.1Quickplay Shortened
† Kickstarter bonus tier exclusive


Reception

The PS4 version received "average" reviews, one point short of being "generally favorable", according to Metacritic.[16]

The Digital Fix gave it a score of eight out of ten, calling it "a unique concept album that challenges your mind and your dexterity".[23] Slant Magazine similarly gave it four stars out of five, saying that it was "so obviously a labor of love that it's difficult to criticize it, especially given all of the ways in which Harmonix has addressed the concerns for fans who funded them on Kickstarter".[24]

However, The Escapist gave it three-and-a-half stars out of five: "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".[25] 411Mania gave it a score of seven out of ten: "Overall, Harmonix did a great job capturing the body of Amplitude again. The gameplay is good and easy to pick up, even if you haven't played the game in years. However, the soul of the game, the soundtrack, may have gamers looking elsewhere for their music game fix".[26] National Post gave it six out of ten, saying that it was "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".[27] The Daily Telegraph similarly gave it three stars out of five, saying that the game "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".[22]

References

  1. ^ Lesser, Ryan (March 2, 2015). "Amplitude: First Gameplay Trailer, Team Multiplayer Revealed". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Retrieved March 2, 2015.
  2. ^ Sarkar, Samit (March 10, 2015). "Amplitude's team multiplayer mode could be the life of the party". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  3. ^ Martin, Matt (December 23, 2015). "Amplitude reboot gets FreQuency mode". VG247. Gamer Network. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  4. ^ Dyer, Mitch (May 22, 2015). "WHY ROCK BAND 4'S NEXT-GEN TECH MATTERS – IGN FIRST". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
  5. ^ Tach, Dave (May 5, 2014). "Amplitude may get a crowdfunded sequel from Harmonix called Amplitude". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  6. ^ Futter, Mike (May 22, 2014). "Harmonix Pulls Off Kickstarter Comeback As Amplitude Reaches Goal". Game Informer. GameStop. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  7. ^ Sarkar, Samit (May 23, 2014). "Amplitude Kickstarter closes with $844K". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
  8. ^ Matulef, Jeffery (May 20, 2014). "Insomniac CEO Ted Price donates $7500 to Harmonix's Amplitude HD Kickstarter". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved May 20, 2014.
  9. ^ Orland, Kyle (May 5, 2014). "Harmonix wants to remake PS2 rhythm classic Amplitude". Ars Technica. Condé Nast. Retrieved May 5, 2014.
  10. ^ Sarkar, Samit (May 14, 2014). "Harmonix explains why it can't make Amplitude without your help". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
  11. ^ Grayson, Nathan (May 19, 2014). "Harmonix's Amplitude Not Coming To PC Now, Maybe Ever". Rock Paper Shotgun. Gamer Network. Retrieved May 22, 2014.
  12. ^ Futter, Mike (May 19, 2014). "Amplitude Kickstarter Adds Anamanaguchi, Danny Baranowski And More". Game Informer. GameStop. Retrieved February 23, 2020.
  13. ^ McWhertor, Michael (July 31, 2015). "Harmonix delays Amplitude for PS4 and PS3 to end of 2015". Polygon. Vox Media. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  14. ^ Clements, Ryan (April 3, 2016). "The Drop: New PlayStation Games for 4/5/2016". PlayStation Blog. Sony Interactive Entertainment. Retrieved April 5, 2016.
  15. ^ Phillips, Tom (December 2, 2015). "Rock Band developer announces Amplitude release date". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  16. ^ a b "Amplitude for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  17. ^ Miller, Matt (January 5, 2016). "Amplitude (PS4): Reviving A Classic Formula". Game Informer. GameStop. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  18. ^ Butterworth, Scott (January 11, 2016). "Amplitude Review (PS4)". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  19. ^ Ogilvie, Tristan (January 7, 2016). "Amplitude Review (PS4)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  20. ^ Rignall, Jaz (January 6, 2016). "Amplitude PS4 Review: Block-Rocking Beats". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  21. ^ Vazquez, Suriel (December 28, 2015). "Amplitude deftly revives its old-school rhythms for 2016 (PS4)". VentureBeat. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  22. ^ a b Hoggins, Tom (January 13, 2016). "Amplitude review: 'euphoric synaesthesia, limited mileage' (PS4)". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  23. ^ Forgie, Leigh (January 18, 2016). "Amplitude Review (PS4)". The Digital Fix. Poisonous Monkey. Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  24. ^ Riccio, Aaron (January 6, 2016). "Review: Amplitude (PS4)". Slant Magazine. Slant Magazine LLC. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  25. ^ Saltzman, Mitchell (January 7, 2016). "Amplitude Review (PS4)". The Escapist. Enthusiast Gaming. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  26. ^ Larck, Adam (February 3, 2016). "Amplitude (PS4) Review". 411Mania. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  27. ^ Sapieha, Chad (January 19, 2016). "Amplitude review: Remake of PlayStation 2 rhythm classic doesn't quite get the party started (PS4)". National Post. Postmedia Network. Retrieved February 25, 2020.

External links

Harmonix games
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