Frequency

"Wow what a fun game....to play in the demo section while your parents shop..."

Frequency is a game unlike I have ever played before. As a matter of fact you could argue that this isnt a game. More like a music simulator. If I had to list similar games Parappa the Rappa comes to mind. Though my label of this being a ''different'' game by no means implies that its a bad game, but it is not for everybody.

Frequency puts your musical rhythm abilities to the test in the form of button timing exercises. You go through an octagon shaped virtual tunnel pulled straight out of the Tron movie. Each side is a track or part of the song. Usually these are drums, vocals, guitar, bass, samples, and extra of the already mentioned. On the track there are nodes placed in either a left, middle or right position that represent a riff in the song. To complete a track you must press either the L1, R1, or R2(which correspond to the nodes) button when your ''activator'' moves across the track and over the nodes.

The controls are quite simple, but the game itself is hard even for those who are musically inclined. Every time you mess up a beat(and you will mess up a lot) you lose energy from your energy bar. When al the energy is gone you are boo'd off the stage...err...octagon thingy. You can also gather powerups that will add to your score or automatically cath all the notes in a bar of music.

Multiplayer is pretty much the same thing. You play on a vertical split screen trying to capture the rhythm of the song, but the object is to collect more points then your opponent. This is where those multiplier power ups come in handy.

The remix mode, although a plus to replayability, is kind of pointless. I know what your thinking, ''Wow cool I can change the music around and make really cool remixes''. Before you get your hopes up let me bring you down to earth and inform you that it might as well not be there since you will most likely be terrible at it. Although it is fun to experiment with from time to time.

This games strongest point lies in the fact that they used real artists for their songs. And to add icing to the cake there is a good variety of music represented including one of my favorite metal bands Fear Factory. Some of these bands even created songs specifically for this game.

I'm gonna get straight to the point. Most people will ''kinda'' like this game. Its a great rental. After about a week the game just isn't as exciting anymore so please do rent it as it is really fun for awhile.

Would Grand Admiral Rent or Buy this game? Rent

Score:7

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 07/24/02, Updated 07/24/02