Amplitude

by Sony

Product Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Rhythm Action
• Mission: Earn points by pressing corresponding buttons on the controller at the right time

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0000859TM
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches ; 4.8 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: February 21, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,003 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Developed exclusively for the PlayStation2 by Harmonix Music Systems, Amplitude is a fast-paced rhythm-action game that allows players to test their skills in mixing and remixing hit songs by shooting musical notes in various vibrant musical environments in both off- and online gameplay. Via the Network Adaptor (Ethernet/modem), the gateway into the world of online gaming, Amplitude provides a unique, one-of-a-kind online musical forum for players of all skill levels to compete and collaborate with more than 25 songs.

Following up on the great line-up of bands in Frequency, Amplitude expands the music roster with a diverse and eclectic mix of genres including songs and video content from David Bowie, blink 182, Pink, Herbie Hancock, Run-D.M.C., Dieselboy, Slipknot, Weezer, P.O.D., Garbage, Quarashi, as well as other major recording artists. Surrounded by interactive environments with stunning graphics and video that are tightly synchronized to each artist's song, players are tasked to recreate their favorite songs in a spaceship that shoots and captures vocals and instruments such as drums, bass and guitar. In addition, players have the opportunity to create custom remixes as well, in single- and multi-player modes.

Product Description

MODEL- 97258 VENDOR- SCEA FEATURES- Amplitude Fast, addictive arcade-style gameplay allows you to mix and remix hit songs from major recording artists like Garbage, David Bowie, P.O.D., BT, Weezer, Pink, Dieselboy, blink 182, Run DMC, and more - within more than 20 immersive levels. Experience musical immersion with single player gameplay or jump online and play against FreQs nationwide in intense jam sessions! ESRB Rating : T for Teen Genre/Category : Music System : PlayStation 2 Number of Players : 1~4 Compatible Peripheral: Network Adapter MANUFACTURER WARRANTY:andnbsp;andnbsp;90 DAYS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock On and On and On, March 29, 2003

By 

Kent Miller "shortstop-ok" (Norman, OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amplitude (Video Game)

Amplitude is a music game which is unique in the fact that it uses songs from established artists - some you most certainly have heard. If you are familiar with music games you would be at home here - the music plays and you perform a part by "playing" the controller while the "music" moves by on the screen. It is the sequel to a game called Frequency and some of this review compares this game to that one.

The game also allows you to remix songs but I did not get into that on Frequency and again fail to find it enjoyable. Also the head-to-head mode of this game is kind of strange - the single player is much more enjoyable in my opinion.

One of the best parts about Frequency was getting introduced to groups I hadn't heard before and hopefully some of these artists will turn out the same. The music in Amplitude is a mix of familiar and unfamiliar artists. Strangely it seems to be harder to play the songs that I know (Weezer - Dope Nose or Blink 182 - Rock Show) than songs I haven't heard before. Some of my favorite songs on Amplitude are Baseline by Quarashi, Cherry Libs by Garbage, and Urban Tumbleweed by the Baldwin Brothers. Ultimately I feel like somehow these artists were picked to promote them for Sony - I wish there were more variety of tracks.

Amplitude is easier to beat than Frequency was - there are 4 difficult modes (Mellow, Normal, Brutal, and Insane) and I started on Brutal when I first got it and played through in about 2 1/2 hours. The expert mode of Frequency was much more difficult. Easy mode is easy enough for my 6 year old to play.

I would have been happy with the Frequency base game with new music - what Sony needs to do in the future is modify this game with new music every 3 to 6 months and rerelease it for $20 or so. Much of the effort in the sequel seems to have gone into the system that allows you to create your own "guy" and as you play you unlock new clothes - whatever. Your guy sort of plays along with you - if you are on a guitar track he plays guitar and when you play drums he switches to drums.

A final word about the music. I love 4-letter words in my music as much as anybody but while I enjoyed playing Frequency with my kids, some of the songs in Amplitude have bleeped out words and are about mature subjects - and some words that in my opinion should be bleeped aren't.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great game for any music fan, August 20, 2005

By 

Lisa Shea "medieval swordfighting enthusiast" - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

= Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Amplitude (Video Game)

Musical fans will really get into Amplitude. Modern songs are pulled apart, and the game is actually playing out the various parts of the song, in time.

Sometimes you don't realize just how much intricacy there is to a song until you start to listen to each track separately. Look at how the drums counterpoint the rhythm guitar. The voice interweaves perfectly. It's fascinating to play along with a given part, to see just how well it fits into the mix.

The downside of any game like this is always going to be the music mix. For example, Amplitude includes songs by Garbage, Quarashi, Chris Child, Run-DMC, The Baldwin Brothers, Weezer, and more. If these bands appeal to you, you'll have a blast. If you really hate these bands, you might enjoy the game, but it will madden you to have to listen to the songs over and over again.

I fell somewhere in the middle. I really enjoyed some songs, but just didn't like others. Luckily, I only had to win through a given song once before I could put it behind me :)

Graphics are reasonably good, but really the sound is key here. You barely notice the graphics that swirl around you as you focus on the song, the track markers, and the notes you're aiming to hit.

The game has great difficulty progressions so you could literally play this game for a year or more before you master some of the more difficult levels. If you have any interest at all in being a musician at all, those skills aren't wasted, either. Being able to master those complex rhythms are a real life skill that will serve you well.

Highly recommended.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great improvements!, March 21, 2003

By 

"acidflux" (East Lansing, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amplitude (Video Game)

I had a chance to play Amplitude at this year's Game Developers Conference and I must say I was quite impressed.

The gameplay is very similar to that of it's predecessor, Frequency, with some minor changes here and there to have it play smoother.

The graphics look a lot brighter and cleaner than Frequency. The little FreQ avatar is no longer just an icon but a 3D model that break dances and plays different instruments depending on what trpe of track you are currently on.

On the music side, Ampitude keeps it kickin' with popular artists such as blink-182, Garbage, Weezer, David Bowie, Run-DMC, and Pink. There are also quite a few returning artists from Frequency such as Freezepop and SymbionProject.

Multiplayer has had quite a bit of change. The play field is no longer divided into 4 squares when 4 people are playing. Instead, everyones is on the same screen and the tracks are laid out in a semi circle (as opposed to the "tunnel" in Frequency). There is also a new power-up: Slow-Mo. Which (obviously) slows down the music for a short period of time. There is built in net play for all of you with the network adapter (perfect for those times when you don't have anyone to play against).

I only got to play multiplayer at GDC, but from the limited time I spent with it I was hooked. The only disapointment came when I heard it wouldn't be realease till the end of March.