Tetsuo_Shima
In Cryo Sleep
I was talking to BiG_D about music-based games in the shoutbox the other day, which reminded me about this game I downloaded but never got around to playing called Synaesthete. I've got a funny feeling that somebody posted a thread about this in the distant past, maybe DocBot, but I couldn't find it again so I thought I'd bring it to your attention.
It's a free, music-based game for the PC which aims to link your auditory and visual senses together to create an involving, zen-like experience. You play as a simple, geometric entity - known as the Zaikman - whom you guide through a variety of stages which are backed by different types of electronic music.
There are three main 'sections' to the game, each following a different discipline of music: Synaesthete - which contains chilled, sensual house music; Way of the Samurai - intense progressive trance; and Like a Child - stomping hardcore trance.
Each section is further broken down into three stages, with a backing track unique to each. Each stage consists of a series of 'rooms', through which you must navigate the Zaikman and destroy the enemies contained within. Each time you progress to the next toom, the backing track evolves along with it until, upon reaching the final room (or boss) of a stage, the music is whipped up to a climactic crescendo.
Now, to defeat the enemies in each room and progress on to the next, you are required to hit any of three 'beat' buttons in time with the backing music (in a method akin to Guitar Hero). Each time you do so, a number of the enemies are 'killed'; once all the enemies have been defeated, the door to the next room opens up. At the same time as killing the enemies, you should be trying to move the Zaikman around to dodge them, because every time the Zaikman is touched by an enemy he sustains damage. This is where the synaesthesia part comes in, because it's hard to keep an eye on the falling notes and run around avoiding enemies at the same time - it's a better idea to 'feel' the music, and hit the beat buttons when you think the time is right.
The game isn't very hard, or very long, at all. In fact, I doubt much thought was even given to the 'game' idea, instead the focus should be on just enjoying the spiritual aura the game lends itself and feeling yourself become a part of the music. It's a very simple concept, but one that's extremely enjoyable. I guess it's similar to Rez from a conceptual point of view, but just approached in a different manner - not as good as Rez, I'd say, but definitely worth the experience. The weakest part of it is the fact you have to use your PCs keyboard as the point of interface, whereas a game such as this could really do with a much 'tighter' and more involving method of control.
Anyway, enough chit-chat. You can download it here if you are interested.
It's a free, music-based game for the PC which aims to link your auditory and visual senses together to create an involving, zen-like experience. You play as a simple, geometric entity - known as the Zaikman - whom you guide through a variety of stages which are backed by different types of electronic music.
There are three main 'sections' to the game, each following a different discipline of music: Synaesthete - which contains chilled, sensual house music; Way of the Samurai - intense progressive trance; and Like a Child - stomping hardcore trance.
Each section is further broken down into three stages, with a backing track unique to each. Each stage consists of a series of 'rooms', through which you must navigate the Zaikman and destroy the enemies contained within. Each time you progress to the next toom, the backing track evolves along with it until, upon reaching the final room (or boss) of a stage, the music is whipped up to a climactic crescendo.
Now, to defeat the enemies in each room and progress on to the next, you are required to hit any of three 'beat' buttons in time with the backing music (in a method akin to Guitar Hero). Each time you do so, a number of the enemies are 'killed'; once all the enemies have been defeated, the door to the next room opens up. At the same time as killing the enemies, you should be trying to move the Zaikman around to dodge them, because every time the Zaikman is touched by an enemy he sustains damage. This is where the synaesthesia part comes in, because it's hard to keep an eye on the falling notes and run around avoiding enemies at the same time - it's a better idea to 'feel' the music, and hit the beat buttons when you think the time is right.
The game isn't very hard, or very long, at all. In fact, I doubt much thought was even given to the 'game' idea, instead the focus should be on just enjoying the spiritual aura the game lends itself and feeling yourself become a part of the music. It's a very simple concept, but one that's extremely enjoyable. I guess it's similar to Rez from a conceptual point of view, but just approached in a different manner - not as good as Rez, I'd say, but definitely worth the experience. The weakest part of it is the fact you have to use your PCs keyboard as the point of interface, whereas a game such as this could really do with a much 'tighter' and more involving method of control.
Anyway, enough chit-chat. You can download it here if you are interested.
