Parents' Guide to

Audiosurf

By Erin Bell, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 9+

Trippy arcade game uses player's own music collection.

Game Windows 2008
Audiosurf Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this game.

  • Audiosurf Game: Screenshot #1
  • Audiosurf Game: Screenshot #2
  • Audiosurf Game: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 1 parent review

CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
June 30, 2015
age 9+

Can Be Both Tough and Relaxing

My Steam library many not have many hours listed for this game, but the hours I have spent playing were highly enjoyable. You can relax with the three Mono modes or try something more challenging with the others... though personally I just stick with the Mono modes as the others can get difficult with the music as a distraction... which, to me, kind of misses the point of a game like this.

This title has:

Easy to play/use
See all 1 parent review

What’s It About?

AUDIOSURF levels are constructed brand new for the player, using music imported from the player's computer. Players control a ship along a multi-lane track, populated with colored tiles representing beats of music. The goal is to move the ship right or left collecting strings of like-colored tiles while avoiding the gray ones. The experience changes to reflect the style, tempo, and intensity of music playing in the background: during slower moments, the track flattens out. During faster passages, the track slopes downwards and becomes bumpier, gameplay speeds up, and more tiles appear.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Audiosurf gives players a new way to experience, rather than passively listen to, their music collection by turning tracks into twisting and turning game levels with trippy, colorful graphics tuned to the unique features of the song. The number of potential levels is endless, and with 14 characters to choose from -- each with their own attributes -- players can experiment with different strategies to chase the high score. Audiosurf won't appeal to everyone, but audiophiles with quick reflexes and a competitive streak won't be able to get enough.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can discuss how different music genres (e.g. rock, jazz, orchestral) are interpreted by the game. What kind of music games do you like best.

  • Compare the experience of playing different levels and try to identify what it is about the songs that produced those differences.

  • Visually interpret a song by creating an abstract picture or painting about it.

Game Details

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