Sound Shapes (Vita)

bwguinig's picture

Actually, this is the other title I'm very curious about... looks like it might be available via PSN.

http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/12/sound-shapes-getting-pre-release-demo-still-looks-fantastic/

 

bwguinig's picture

Wasn't on PSN when I checked this morning. Not sure about price. I'm really looking forward to this. I don't suspect I'll use the level editor much but if it's the kind of thing where I can reap the benefit of others doing it, great.

Any Vita game that got E3 coverage/exposure is worth a peek. I think it may also be available for PS3.

bwguinig's picture

Looks like it may go for $15.

http://www.psu.com/a016439/Sound-Shapes-Review-(PS-Vita)

tengaport's picture

bwguinig's picture

Hope it's online for me to grab when I get home...

http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/sound-shapes/critic-reviews

bwguinig's picture

Must be a lot of people doing the same... says it's like 100+ mins for the download.  Heading out for a bit but should hopefully get some time in tonight.

bwguinig's picture

So I played a bit of Sound Shapes tonight.  Finished the first album, played the Beck "Cities" level.  The short of it: worth every bit of the $15 price tag.. but it might be $15 for a reason.

 

Here's the 1UP review:

http://www.1up.com/reviews/sound-shapes-review-brilliant-yet

 

I've reviewed a handful of games over the years that I feel everyone needs to play, and Sound Shapes belongs among those rare ranks. Like those elite peers, it brings a fresh, new experience to the table and defines the creative and collaborative concepts that make video games such a unique medium. What's different about Sound Shapes is that everyone needs to play it for a second but perhaps more important reason: Until you do and unlock the promise hidden in its level editor, the game simply isn't complete. It's a single-player game, yet its future rests in the hands of its community.

 

My main concern at this point would be amount of content for the game.  It did not take too long to go through the "album" or first level which contained essentially four stages.  At least early on, each album is available though stages must be unlocked via completion.  With multiple checkpoints on each stage, though the platforming aspects can be tricky, they're never so frustrating because the penalty is relatively minimal.  As I understand it, there are unlockable challenge stages and leaderboards that may change that but this game doesn't seem to be one that would be leaderboard motivated.

 

No, the game's potential rests in new content and whether that's from the community or the developers release more, reasons to keep playing after you're finished may not be so enticing to take away time from other gaming options.  That said, the level editor is quite impressive.  Complex yet inviting... if you're into that kind of thing.  I don't know that I am though I'm certainly willing to explore what others create.  Completing stages unlocks game elements from the stage to the editor and it quickly becomes clear how many options you have at your fingertips.

 

I never had LBP on PS3 but I can see how those with time and spirit could create some pretty amazing things.  Even if they don't, for $15, it's not really such a loss.

 

tengaport's picture

Downloading now very, very slowly. Can't wait to check it out even if I still have no idea what this game is all about.

bwguinig's picture

It's interesting because the underlying gameplay mechanic is very sinilar to Tales from Space... You control a blob through platforming stages.

tengaport's picture

during the download / install process my Vita's battery died. Sigh... will have to wait until tonight to check it out

bwguinig's picture

Made it through the campaign.  Some levels do get pretty tricky but with the very forgiving checkpoint system, nothing ever gets too bad.  Fail?  Try again.. no delay.  At times, it almost feels like more luck than skill when passing through a tricky area.  The controls don't feel super-tight like, say Rayman or Mario, but they are serviceable enough.

 

Death Mode is pretty crazy.  I guess outside of the campaign completion trophy (gold), the rest are earned through challenge modes.  So I doubt I'll do much trophy hunting.

 

I did play around with the level editor and it is quite impressive though a little tough to navigate.  I'm experimenting with the notes, their placements, and how the music continues throughout.  I'll try to publish it by the end of the weekend.  I haven't really check any of the stuff outside the first day but my first impressions are that levels are easily shared which is nice.  The matter is just having people continue to upload.  Looks like maybe some of the games designers may even have a user profile that can be favorited too.

 

Not sure whether DLC Is on the way... definitely the polish and integration between music and gameplay is pretty unique experience and one that makes Sound Shapes a steal at $15.  I thought I read if you have it for one system, you can play it on both... not sure about that though.

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