Music Catch, a recent free game from Reflexive, is a very different sort of animal, but not for its gameplay. The concept couldn't be simpler: Catch the colorful shapes with your cursor by avoiding the red ones. It's fine, nothing revolutionary really, but just fine.
What really sets it apart (for us at least) is the song that underscores the game, a dynamic yet melancholy piano piece written by the game's programmer, Isaac Shepard. The way the shapes emerge onto the playing field in time with the music is one of the most seamless examples of game and music working in concert that we can remember.
Though it's enjoyable, we're still not thoroughly satisfied. We've played through the entirety a few times, and the concept feels as if it could be fleshed out a little more. But we're not sure if that would ruin the game's peaceful, hypnotic quality. What do you think? Does Music Catch leave you wanting more? Or does it work fine just the way it is?
For another look at the Freeware scene, check out BigDownload's Freeware Friday series.
Reader Comments (18)
Posted: Jun 30th 2008 7:04PM (Unverified) said
It's 1AM here, and that game was perfect for this time of the night.
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Posted: Jun 30th 2008 7:11PM HighFiveJesus said
want a lot more, very much so. its great, but it needs more. oh well, its free.
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Posted: Jun 30th 2008 8:19PM (Unverified) said
More complex maybe not. It makes a good use of its simplicity. More songs? Of course!
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Posted: Jun 30th 2008 8:34PM WiredKnight said
"...one of the most seamless examples of game and music working in concert that we can remember."
Lest we forget the masterpiece that is Rez.
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Lest we forget the masterpiece that is Rez.
Posted: Jun 30th 2008 8:43PM (Unverified) said
Lest we forget how bad Rez really was... (ok, it wasn't _bad_ but it wasn't the gem everyone seems to think it is...)
As for the game at hand. It feels like a game that i might play on my iPod, or possible to kill some time while listening to music (it makes a good visualizer).
If they manged to make the game work in that way, i think it would be a great game.
It's a timewaster, not much more. The gameplay is challenging enough without it bieng impossible, and yet it's simple.
:\
I don't know i wan't more from it in this format though.
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As for the game at hand. It feels like a game that i might play on my iPod, or possible to kill some time while listening to music (it makes a good visualizer).
If they manged to make the game work in that way, i think it would be a great game.
It's a timewaster, not much more. The gameplay is challenging enough without it bieng impossible, and yet it's simple.
:\
I don't know i wan't more from it in this format though.
Posted: Jun 30th 2008 8:37PM (Unverified) said
Another case of a game maker settling instead of improving upon a neat idea. It's a shame really.
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Posted: Jun 30th 2008 9:51PM Zombienutz said
Damn it. Firefox crashed and thought the first post did not go through. Oh well. I like the game so much, I will post twice (thrice?) about it.
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Posted: Jul 1st 2008 2:50PM (Unverified) said
It's... okay. I guess I was just expecting more. For integrating piano music with gameplay, I much prefer Boomshine.
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