"Fish and bits"

The Nintendo DS is a non-traditional game system, and there needs to be a point when we start expecting non-traditional games. Nintendogs and the Brain Training series certainly aren't typical software, and with recent announcements that the DS is getting a web browser and TV antennae to boot, this is gradually becoming a "multimedia device," something the PSP tried to be from the very beginning. So why all the harsh criticism towards Electroplankton from professional reviewers? Sure, it's not a "game," but whatever it is, it's oh so sweet.

Graphics:
At a glance, Electroplankton looks silly and goofy and childish. I mean, it's all based around little aquatic life forms that never stop smiling! But within those blank stares and spinning grins is a charm that hasn't surfaced for many years. If you don't believe me, just dig up Toshio Iwai's previous Sim Tunes. There was an emptiness in that game which gave me the creeps. Here, the underwater theme creates a wonderfully inventive and relaxing atmosphere.

Sound:
A music game has to sound pretty good, though, right? And it does. Some of the sounds you can crank out of this are truly amazing. While I wouldn't say this is as impressive as hearing actual voice-overs in Tony Hawk's American Sk8land, the recreation of pianos, xylophones, and the likes is nearly spot-on. The only noticeable scratchiness comes from recording your own samples via the built-in microphone. But that scratchiness can also be used to your advantage. Hmmmm?

Gameplay:
So how do you make these great sounds? Electroplankton provides ten creatures, each one being a sort of instrument. These plankton don't all behave the same, however. Hanenbow plankton jump out of the water and bounce across adjustable leaves, plucking them like a guitar. Luminaria follow arrows around the screen. Lumiloops can be spun with the stylus to produce instant sci-fi synth. There's even a Beatnes plankton that remembers short stretches of NES sounds. Making music is incredibly easy and fun, too. It isn't necessary to have ten years of piano lessons or a bachelor's degree in music. In just a few minutes, you can quickly discover--mostly by accident--a great rhythm.

Not all of the plankton are very useful, however. I have experimented a lot with these, and there are three I simply cannot--and refuse to--use. With only seven options, you can still produce some nice results, but the variety is very stilted. Minus Beatnes and Rec-Rec, who both have pre-written beat lines, everything is too twinkly. There's no plankton to make cool drum loops, something I'm always wishing I had as an accompaniment. If a follow-up to Electroplankton was made, I would like to see a critter named "Drumton" or something like that. But considering this game's quiet American release and disappointing Japanese sales, I doubt a sequel is in the works.

Frustration:
Since this isn't a game so much as it is a toy or a tool, it's hard to imagine anything being frustrating about it. The only thing I can hold against Electroplankton, as countless people have probably already pointed out, is that you cannot save your songs. It's really baffling why this feature was left out. Not only does this make it very easy to lose a masterpiece, it also keeps you from mixing different songs together in the game. However, if you're serious about turning Electroplankton into a musical asset, these limitations are negligible. By connecting the DS to a computer, you can easily record music and mix it later. It sounds like a hassle, I know, but that's the only way.

Lasting Appeal:
When I first played Electroplankton, I quickly sorted through the ten different creatures and walked away thinking, "Eh. It's okay." The next day, I sat down and took the time to get to know the game better, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. Electroplankton comes across as a little disappointing at first, but true music aficionados will love what this thing can do. It's a very relaxing experience to kick back and listen to a random song you threw together, and it's very rewarding to take that random song and turn it into a real song. By that, I mean taking the time to cut it up on the computer and overlap it with other loops. If you're a musician, you'll be coming back to this game a lot to find inspiration. However, if you're just wanting a "game," then the bitter truth is: Electroplankton's probably not something you'd want to buy.

Overall:
While this is not the music game to replace thousands of dollars worth of equipment, it is a fun, little piece of software that may be just enough to spark your creativity and get you doing something besides shooting for high scores (or just shooting stuff). If you see yourself as a budding musician, someone who turns every household object into an instrument, someone always looking for new ways to mix old tunes, then you'll definitely get your money's worth here. But it'll cost you about $40-50 just to get this thing on your doorstep, and that's money any casual gamer would do better with spending on something else.

Points:
+ Charming and relaxing
+ Easy to make music
+ Creatively inspiring
-- No saves
-- Limited variety

Score: 8/10

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 02/28/06