Amplitude
By David Chapman,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
All-too-short musical treat for both the eyes and ears.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this game.
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Amplitude
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What’s It About?
Long before ever giving gamers the chance to take the stage with the Rock Band games, developer Harmonix had already let virtual virtuosos play to the beat of their own drums with the 2001 PS2 classic, Frequency, and its 2003 sequel, AMPLITUDE. Now, more than a decade later, Harmonix has decided to revisit the rhythm/shooter franchise and update it for a new generation of gamers with flashier graphics, hipper beats, and an all-new campaign mode that takes gamers through the mindscape of a comatose woman undergoing an experimental treatment to repair the neural pathways of her brain.
Is It Any Good?
The original Amplitude was such a unique experience, it was hard to imagine what the developers could possibly add that could improve it, outside of some new tunes and a fresh coat of paint. Thankfully, it looks like Harmonix felt the same way, as this new version doesn't stray too far from the original. And that is definitely music to gamers' ears.
Harmonix has done a great job in making Amplitude as accessible as possible for gamers of all skill levels. The game features a variety of control schemes, difficulty levels, and gameplay options to keep all players well within their comfort zones. Unlike in the original, most of the music has been developed in-house, with a few exceptions from some indie and fan-favorite groups. On one hand, this can keep some players from immediately connecting to the game, but on the other, it does make for a more uniform theme. Even so, the lack of music range and the smaller number of tracks make Amplitude feel a lot lighter in terms of overall content. There's a four-player couch-play option, but surprisingly Harmonix decided to ditch any sort of online play. All in all, the new Amplitude is a fantastic treat for the eyes and ears, but, as with most treats, once you're finished, you're left with a craving for more.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role that music plays in people's lives, whether it be cultural, entertainment, or even scientific. How does music affect you on a daily basis? Are there moments that are affected or improved by the use of music? Why?
Talk about how the brain operates. How does the brain use our senses to interpret the world around us?
Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Harmonix
- Release date: January 5, 2016
- Genre: Music & Dance
- Topics: Adventures, Arts and Dance, Music and Sing-Along, Science and Nature
- ESRB rating: E
- Last updated: February 26, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Play
Our Editors Recommend
Shoot-'em-Up Alternatives
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate