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Author Topic: Audiosurf - Guitar Hero is for pussies  (Read 12830 times)
Yoru
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the y master, king of bourbon


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on: January 19, 2008, 01:16:36 PM

AudioSurf.

A friend linked it to me this afternoon. I was expecting just another shitty rhythm game for the PC. I mean, Frets of Fire was cool, and there's some DDR simulators if you're into that, but pretty much every indie developer who isn't making Tower Defense or Peggle clones is making some kind of rhythm game. A lot of them even claim to "analyze your own music" to provide instant custom tracks.

Yeah, well, AudioSurf just took a shovel to the back of each and every one of those DDR-clones' heads.

If you've ever played Frequency or Amplitude for the PS2, then you'll be somewhat familiar with the basic trope of the game - you're a little spaceship thing flying along a track whose contours are shaped by the music playing. Unlike those two titles, AudioSurf is more about which track you're on as opposed to hitting buttons in time to the beat. Using the mouse, you move your little spaceship along a multi-lane highway that twists and curves, slowing down and speeding up with the tempo of whatever track you've selected. Your basic task is to match up little colored blocks by ramming into them, when 3 or more blocks of an alike color are matched, you get points. It's difficult to describe, but it's pretty simple once you get the basic hang of it.

The surprising thing, aside from the shiny graphics and smooth performance, is that AudioSurf's music analyzer is amazingly good at what it does. Loading up a track with a thumping backbeat, the track rapidly slid along underneath me while bouncing up and down in perfect time. The block traffic you run into also matches well with the audible instruments and vocals. It's a superb feat of algorithmic engineering.

The nice thing is, the game is not yet out - they're having free "beta weekends". Today (the 19th) and tomorrow (the 20th) are the second beta weekend. If you poke around on their forums, you can find and download the beta client.

Me, I immediately indulged my inner anime dork and played some of the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Noir soundtracks. Noir's "Salva Nos" and TTGL's "Libera Me From Hell" are absolutely amazing tracks for this game.
schild
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Reply #1 on: January 19, 2008, 05:47:22 PM

Yea, this is everywhere. It looks spiffy. I want to try it with some Happy 2 B Hardcore music.
Prospero
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Reply #2 on: January 20, 2008, 02:43:49 AM

I tried it with some Flogging Molly and some Jonathon Coulton. Devils Dance Floor was great, as was I Feel Fantastic. Still Alive made for a nice, mellow track. The game play isn't all that exciting, but it is pretty cool to see the level it generates for each song.
Simond
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Reply #3 on: January 20, 2008, 03:35:59 AM

Me, I immediately indulged my inner anime dork and played some of the Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann and Noir soundtracks. Noir's "Salva Nos" and TTGL's "Libera Me From Hell" are absolutely amazing tracks for this game.
Utena duel choruses.

Tip: Try classical music - some of it works incredibly well for this game (Bach's Toccata & Fugue, anything by the various loud Russians, etc).

"You're really a good person, aren't you? So, there's no path for you to take here. Go home. This isn't a place for someone like you."
Yoru
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the y master, king of bourbon


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Reply #4 on: January 20, 2008, 05:47:41 AM

If you want a real experience, try Ninja Mono mode on the national anthem of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. I have the Red Army Choir's rendition and it's pretty much a breakneck speed-demon race all the way through.

I tried it with some Flogging Molly and some Jonathon Coulton. Devils Dance Floor was great, as was I Feel Fantastic. Still Alive made for a nice, mellow track. The game play isn't all that exciting, but it is pretty cool to see the level it generates for each song.

Try some of the harder difficulty levels. As mentioned above, I've found I prefer Ninja Mono. The earlier difficulties aren't as entertaining, and the block-matching stuff is kinda weak.

For Coulton, try Ikea. :)
NiX
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Locomotive Pandamonium


Reply #5 on: January 20, 2008, 06:50:07 AM

For anyone that couldn't find the link and want to play it for today, you can download it here.
Moaner
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Reply #6 on: January 20, 2008, 06:50:52 AM

This thing is great!  I tried it with Autechre - Grantz Graf, which is borderline noise near the end, and it did a great job beat matching.  I was impressed.

PSN: Happy_Hedonist, SteamID: Happy Hedonist
Simond
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Reply #7 on: January 20, 2008, 08:09:18 AM

Obligatory "Jesus Christ - Dragonforce!  ACK!" post.

"You're really a good person, aren't you? So, there's no path for you to take here. Go home. This isn't a place for someone like you."
bhodi
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No lie.


Reply #8 on: January 20, 2008, 08:23:55 AM

This was pretty cool.
CmdrSlack
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Reply #9 on: January 20, 2008, 12:42:08 PM

This was cool, but now I'm that much farther away from getting my shit done. Damn, that's slightly addictive.

I also need to pick slower songs it seems.

I traded in my fun blog for several legal blogs. Or, "blawgs," as the cutesy attorney blawgosphere likes to call 'em.
K9
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Reply #10 on: January 20, 2008, 12:57:41 PM

Very well done, a fun game.

I love the smell of facepalm in the morning
Azazel
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Reply #11 on: January 20, 2008, 05:03:38 PM

Just installed it to take a peek. It's Monday here but still Sunday in the US, but it's expired. Ah well.


http://azazelx.wordpress.com/ - My Miniatures and Hobby Blog.
Samwise
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Reply #12 on: January 21, 2008, 09:15:55 AM

Does it phone home for the date?

"I have not actually recommended many games, and I'll go on the record here saying my track record is probably best in the industry." - schild
Azazel
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Reply #13 on: January 21, 2008, 05:02:12 PM

It wants an internet connection, and did connect, so I don't know what the problem was. Ah well, I don't care. If it's on Steam and has a demo I might try it, otherwise they can GFT.


http://azazelx.wordpress.com/ - My Miniatures and Hobby Blog.
Simond
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Reply #14 on: January 22, 2008, 01:40:17 AM

Scoreboards are centrally hosted, and the servers send you a taunting email when your top score for a song is beaten.  awesome, for real

"You're really a good person, aren't you? So, there's no path for you to take here. Go home. This isn't a place for someone like you."
Simond
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Reply #15 on: January 24, 2008, 05:27:01 AM

Apparently there is a workaround for the "must connect to servers" restriction so you can keep playing the beta - google "audiosurfboard". Just...be aware that it mucks about with your hosts file (points audio-surf.com to 128.0.0.1) which you'll need to fix if/when you buy the game at release.

Also: the top 30 songs on the audiosurf page is pretty  awesome, for real / DRILLING AND MANLINESS :
Quote
1 pedro macedo camacho: audiosurf overture
2 pedro camacho: driving for your life
3 asynchronous: i never want to
4 dragonforce: through the fire and flames
5 unknown: unknown
6 asynchronous: love simulator
7 muse: knights of cydonia
8 daft punk: harder, better, faster, stronger
9 murder city devils: flashbulb
10 portal: still alive
11 daft punk: aerodynamic
12 foo fighters: the pretender
13 kanye west: stronger
14 pendulum: hold your colour
15 system of a down: chop suey
16 franz ferdinand: take me out
17 queen: don t stop me now
18 dethklok: thunderhorse
19 dragonforce: fury of the storm
20 metallica: one
21 jonathan coulton (portal): still alive
22 buckethead: jordan
23 dethklok: kill you
24 403 forbidden: southern cross
25 mark keali i ho omalu and kamehameha schools children s chorus: he mele no lilo
26 blur: song 2
27 hirano aya: god knows...
28 dj sharpnel: data drain
29 the white stripes: little cream soda
30 led zeppelin: stairway to heaven

"You're really a good person, aren't you? So, there's no path for you to take here. Go home. This isn't a place for someone like you."
caladein
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Reply #16 on: January 24, 2008, 05:54:00 AM

Still Alive twice (!) and two Dethklok songs, wow.

Needs more Hatredcopter DRILLING AND MANLINESS.  I also didn't think I'd ever see multiple Dethklok, DragonForce, and Daft Punk songs all on the same playlist outside of one of my own.  I don't know what to say.
« Last Edit: January 24, 2008, 05:56:00 AM by caladein »

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trias_e
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Reply #17 on: January 24, 2008, 10:42:29 PM

Quote
Autechre - Grantz Graf

This song was so damn great to play on this game.  Probably my favorite so far.  Vivaldi was also really cool (tried some of the 4 seasons).  Also played some old school death metal (cryptopsy).  That was ridiculous. 
Simond
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Reply #18 on: January 26, 2008, 08:30:36 AM


"You're really a good person, aren't you? So, there's no path for you to take here. Go home. This isn't a place for someone like you."
NiX
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Locomotive Pandamonium


Reply #19 on: January 26, 2008, 10:54:20 AM

SURFROLL'D! DRILLING AND MANLINESS
CmdrSlack
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Reply #20 on: January 26, 2008, 01:35:45 PM

Surfroll was funny, but dammit, I cannot get this stinkin' audiosurfboard thing to work for me. It obvioulsy does more than simply edit the hosts file -- I managed to do that on my own.

Oh well, I guess I'll just have to be productive or something instead of fucking off and playing this.

I traded in my fun blog for several legal blogs. Or, "blawgs," as the cutesy attorney blawgosphere likes to call 'em.
NiX
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Locomotive Pandamonium


Reply #21 on: January 26, 2008, 01:54:32 PM

Yeah, the audosurfboard thing didn't work out well for me. Didn't like that it only worked with Beta 1 too.
Simond
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Reply #22 on: February 13, 2008, 04:45:36 PM

http://www.steamgames.com/v/index.php?area=news&id=1436&cc=GB

Quote
Audiosurf, Dylan Fitterer's innovative new title that allows gamers to "ride their music," is now available for pre-purchase via Steam. Save 10% when you pre-purchase before its official release on Friday, February 15.

Audiosurf is a music-adapting puzzle racer where you use your own music to create your own experience. The shape, the speed, and the mood of each ride is determined by the song you choose. You earn points for clustering together blocks of the same color on the highway, and compete with others on the internet for the high score on your favorite songs.

Audiosurf on Steam includes The Orange Box soundtrack, integrated with the game to enable "Still Alive" surfing and more. In addition, Audiosurf is one of the first titles to leverage the recently announced Steamworks, offering full support for the Steam Achievements that appear on Steam Community profile pages.

Pre-orders for $9, unlocks Friday.
Let me repeat, that's NINE DOLLARS, UNLOCKS FRIDAY
Go buy it. Now.

"You're really a good person, aren't you? So, there's no path for you to take here. Go home. This isn't a place for someone like you."
Azazel
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Reply #23 on: February 13, 2008, 05:02:36 PM

I'll wait for a steam demo. $1 off isn't exactly going to break my bank.

http://azazelx.wordpress.com/ - My Miniatures and Hobby Blog.
Yoru
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Reply #24 on: February 13, 2008, 05:10:31 PM

Just think of all the ramen you can buy with that dollar!
Moaner
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Reply #25 on: February 13, 2008, 06:00:30 PM

Quote
Autechre - Grantz Graf

This song was so damn great to play on this game.  Probably my favorite so far.  Vivaldi was also really cool (tried some of the 4 seasons).  Also played some old school death metal (cryptopsy).  That was ridiculous. 

Good IDM is a total blast with this game.  It's almost sensory overload.  Now that this and Rez are out I may have to, uhhh... consume some psychedelics.

PSN: Happy_Hedonist, SteamID: Happy Hedonist
hal
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Damn kids, get off my lawn!


Reply #26 on: February 23, 2008, 05:41:58 PM

As I left EVE steam was blinking in my bottom bar. Audiosurf for 9.95. Crasy fun. Itunes need to be DRM free or burned to disk. It is dancing with your puter it is just silly fun.

I started with nothing, and I still have most of it

I'm not a complete idiot... Some parts are still on backorder.
eldaec
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Reply #27 on: February 24, 2008, 06:40:03 AM

Finally something is motivating me to rip cds onto my PC.

 DRILLING AND MANLINESS

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Hoax
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l33t kiddie


Reply #28 on: February 25, 2008, 11:20:01 PM

So far my two best scores:
Muse - Starlight (Vegas)
GITS:SAC OST - Inner Universe (newb mono)   -- even though I'm getting owned by others on the scoreboard this was like the first play session.

I've found Vegas to be the most fun racer out of the things I've tried, though sometimes you get pwned and that sucks.

A nation consists of its laws. A nation does not consist of its situation at a given time. If an individual's morals are situational, then that individual is without morals. If a nation's laws are situational, that nation has no laws, and soon isn't a nation.
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Azazel
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Reply #29 on: March 01, 2008, 10:18:42 PM

Just played the demo. Found it to be a yawn.

I clearly don't "get it".


http://azazelx.wordpress.com/ - My Miniatures and Hobby Blog.
Prospero
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Reply #30 on: March 01, 2008, 11:50:43 PM

The gameplay is fairly meh, but I think it is a very cool way to see your music. It has given me a new found appreciation of the pacing in some of the tunes I've listened to for years. Also for some songs the track interacts with the song brilliantly. So far I prefer the mono mode for the pure arcade feel.
DeathInABottle
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Reply #31 on: March 02, 2008, 06:55:51 PM

I'm liking mono the best too, though it seems like you can get much higher scores playing point man.

What I'm really liking about this game is that I don't feel that I'm under any obligation to play at the hardest difficulty setting.  The point of the game, for me at least, is less about the competition and more about the experience.

Favourite style so far is definitely rock/pop: booming 4/4 beats make the track jump and make me smile.  I figured blistering metal or IDM would do it for me, but nope.  Give me Sleater-Kinney.
lesion
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Reply #32 on: March 02, 2008, 07:29:01 PM

I play just (ironmode) ninja mono. My e-peen has its own currency system. DRILLING AND MANLINESS

steam|a grue \[T]/
climbjtree
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Reply #33 on: August 23, 2009, 12:15:04 PM

I just fired this game up for the first time in quite a while. It's as fun as ever.

If anyone still has it installed, I recommend giving it a go with the music from 8-bit Killer. The tracks are short, but pretty intense and it's just a good time to be had.
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