The Joystiq Free Game Club: Music Catch
by Justin McElroy 
{ Jun 30th 2008 at 6:28PM }
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.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave @ Jun 30th 2008 6:52PM
Great game.
Sagan @ Jun 30th 2008 7:04PM
It's 1AM here, and that game was perfect for this time of the night.
HighFiveJesus @ Jun 30th 2008 7:11PM
want a lot more, very much so. its great, but it needs more. oh well, its free.
Ghen @ Jul 1st 2008 7:39AM
Yeah, maybe not more gameplay elements but more songs.
WannaCub @ Jun 30th 2008 10:30PM
It's an awesome game that should be made into a full sized game!
Xoviet chiK @ Jul 1st 2008 3:27AM
WiiWare or NDS?
I'd buy it either way, fun stuff.
Maic @ Jun 30th 2008 8:19PM
More complex maybe not. It makes a good use of its simplicity. More songs? Of course!
Marzz @ Jun 30th 2008 8:29PM
I played this on Kongregate.com last night and got all the Badges for it-- 2 million points, 50x multiplier, 2000 pieces caught.
It is really fun too.
J @ Jun 30th 2008 8:34PM
"...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.
paragraph @ Jun 30th 2008 8:43PM
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.
kataztrophy @ Jun 30th 2008 8:37PM
Another case of a game maker settling instead of improving upon a neat idea. It's a shame really.
zombienutz @ Jun 30th 2008 9:49PM
This is an awesome game. A nice nightcap.
zombienutz @ Jun 30th 2008 9:50PM
This game is awesome. A nice nightcap.
zombienutz @ Jun 30th 2008 9:51PM
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.
hhhenryhhh @ Jun 30th 2008 10:20PM
Played this when it was first out a while ago. Seems more like a flash practice project that was made into a game. Only reason to play it is for the "badges" on kongregate.
AwesomeTown @ Jul 1st 2008 7:27AM
It's great. It's hypnotic.
Ninja_Nun @ Jul 1st 2008 12:39PM
Wow thats so entrancing, such a simple mechanic of just collecting dots is so pushed on by the great music. I love it!
ThatFuzzyBastard @ Jul 1st 2008 2:50PM
It's... okay. I guess I was just expecting more. For integrating piano music with gameplay, I much prefer Boomshine.