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Not just a 'music' game.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 18 / 21
Date: January 10, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Getting back to the analogy of Electroplankton as a visual-musical instrument of sorts, that is almost what you can expect from this game. Some people complain that there is no save feature. If you are ever reading something and someone says that the game should have a save feature, I will bet you $15 [not really] that that person has not played the game. Imagine playing a piano, or any other instrument. There's no sheet music in front of you. You hit a couple of notes, and you think they sound pretty good together. But did anything `save'? Nope. You want to hear those notes again? Go ahead, play them again. And if you can't remember them, then you get to play around with more notes until you find them, by which point you will probably have found another sequence of notes that sound good together. That's the essence of Electroplankton; it's all about experimentation, which in turn can produce pleasing audio and video patterns. Not necessarily music, and not necessarily a movie, but a little of both. And continuing the piano analogy, you could sit down at a piano and spend thirty seconds playing every single note on the piano. I've done it, it can be pretty amusing. But even if you do, you have yet to hear even a tiny fraction of the sound that piano can produce. Only when someone uses those notes in a creative way is anything accomplished.

So let's talk about Electroplankton itself, finally. It probably takes longer to just explain the principle behind it than how the game works. When you start it up, you have three options: Performance mode, Audience mode, and a sound setting (speakers or headphones). If you choose Audience mode, the game will start playing one of the ten plankton species on its own, randomly as far as I can tell. It will play each plankton for a few minutes before moving on to the next, or you can use L and R to switch between plankton. If you remember, I said that without interaction, the game is only two-thirds as good as it really is, and this can be a problem in audience mode. The thing about Electroplankton is that if you're just listening to it, the music really isn't all that great. Even if you're listening and watching, it's not very interesting. Fortunately, while in Audience mode you can also grab the stylus and join in with the computer by manipulating the plankton onscreen, which frequently will inspire you to leave Audience mode and go into Performance mode to create a tune of your own. This brings me to my next point: Performance mode. This is the main part of the game, where you pick which plankton you want to play with, and go for it. Nothing else will do anything to the plankton except your stylus. Your stylus is to Electroplankton what fingers are to a piano, a bow is to a violin, a pick is to a guitar, breath is to a flute, and drumsticks are to a drum.

The bottom screen is, of course, where most of the game takes place. On the top screen, all you see is a magnification of one area of the bottom screen, which generally moves around to focus on the point you last touched. You can use the X and Y buttons to zoom this in and out, but it really doesn't serve much purpose at all. The start button is pause, B returns you to the previous menu, and the D-pad and A button vary depending on the plankton you are playing with. Overall, I have few or no complaints regarding how the gameplay feels. Everything is fluid and easy to adjust to.

A Singing Zen Garden

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 86 / 93
Date: January 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

ElectroPlankton for the Nintendo DS is much more about play, experimentation and discovery than achieving anything. There's nothing to unlock, no goals, no saving of your musical creation. Instead you're supposed to get caught up in the moment - discovering new ways to manipulate the ElectroPlankton. The depth the game has depends entirely on the player and how much time they are willing to give it. The more you play, the more discover, especially if you never read the instruction booklet.

I've shown the game to at least five non-gamers and they all have been immediately transfixed. Smiles spread across their faces and there was much laughing. They basically commandeered my DS and didn't want to let go. Since playing ElectroPlankton two of these guys have decided to buy a DS - their first gaming system ever. It may be interesting for you to know that these guys were aged 35 and 47.

I've played ElectroPlankton just about every day since I imported it in April 2005. One of the things I love about ElectroPlankton is that it's so unlike anything else. Never before has there been anything like it. It's calming and relaxing while at the same time being very exciting and joyful. In fact, I've heard ElectroPlankton called a singing Zen garden and I believe that's right on target. I find it intoxicating and a much welcomed breath of fresh air.

Good DS Application, but is it really a game?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 14 / 19
Date: January 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The basic premise of the game is that you use the bottom touch screen to create directional paths for musical object. Objects will richochet off one another, ambient sounds will be created, and what seems like a cacophony of noise can eventually turn into a chorus of beautiful music. Each plankton has a fun and unike tune and different aesthetic effects.

Is it really a game?

That is the question that a lot of people want to know: Is Elecktroplankton a game or not? Well it is a program for the DS, and it has a lot of memorable features. I remember being very interested in it when it was announced in great detail at E3 2005. People still really haven't caught on to the concept of game as an artform, so when they initially are presented with Elecktroplankton there will probably be disorder on the touch screen and sheer chaos on the top screen. There are a lot of problems with this game however, some technical, some not, but it is flawed none the less.

Graphics - It's really hard to determine if the graphics are really good or not. The color are very bright and vivid, and everything has a great aesthetic, but is Elecktroplankton using the DS' power effectively, probably not. This game could look a lot better, but considering the type of game it has to be, it really doesn't need to. [4/5]

Gameplay - This is definately the strong point in the game. Each part of the game has a well thought out way to create a different sound for every plankton. Framerate is very strong, but no really demanding effect happen, so you don't really have to worry about lag. Presentation is very nice and the game is very navigable. [5/5]

Sound - Probably the reason to buy the game. The sound quality is phenominal, and I actually hooked my DS up to some external Logitech speakers. I was very impressed with the cripness and the quality that the DS was able to output through this game on an external speaker set. Each plankton is very unique and sounds amazing. [5/5]

Replay Value - So this is where the game sort of nose dives. Now the game is pretty fun don't get me wrong, but there is really no incentive to continue to play. You can't save your music, you can't link up to Wi-Fi to share your tune, you can't battle somebody to create a better tune or try to match the computer's tune, you don't have a story, and you don't have any real challenges. There really is no computer interaction, it is basically just you creating music for the sake of creating music. On a positive note (no pun intented), it does a very good job at creating what is it meant to create, music. [2/5]

BOTTOM LINE: It is more of a toy than a game, but if you're looking for something to do to be creative with no strings attatched, this is the perfect game for you.

Love It!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 21
Date: January 11, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I like this game.I am usually a music lover.The one I like is my favirote from the 10. it's named Volvoice.It speaks in different kinds of voices.I said " I never want to bring this game to anybody or bring it back!"My friends were watching me and they looked interested into it.But i like this game.

Unique and innovative

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 7
Date: January 15, 2006
Author: Amazon User

This is one of those games that changes the concept of gaming. The game is not about winning, but experiencing. Unfortunately there are no 'save' features in the game, however, the simplicity and elegance of sound sythensis make up for it.

highly recommended to all gamers.

not exactly worth the full price..

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 203 / 219
Date: January 16, 2006
Author: Amazon User

I know I won't get many "helpful" votes for this, but this piece of art (as it is not an actual game) isn't worth the current price as of 1/16/06. It's far too limited and option-less; unfortunately, that's probably the point.

In Electroplankton, there are ten different electroplanktons to toy with, all of which create nice, experiemental sounds that are vaguely musical. It's fun for about thirty minutes (not to mention breathtaking) but you'll turn it off with little reason to turn it back on again. When you do, it'll be for five to ten minutes tops, each time.

You won't have a problem with this. It's a program that's designed for minor play, as there's really not much to do.

Fortunately, it sounds amazing and looks really beautiful. Everything is 2D (of course) but it's done in such an artsy, colorful way. It's definitely something for both your eyes and ears.

There will be moments when you'll get a happy accident. Many moments. And every time, you'll wish you had a way to save it on the cartridge. And you simply can't. (Sure, you can save it via output to a computer or a tape/mp3 player, but this seems a bit unnecessary, as the average video gamer probably doesn't have said equipment. Not to mention that something would be "lost" without the visuals).

It's an open-ended experience, and while it's an interesting idea, something inside of me wishes there were simply *more* of it. Specifically, more electroplankton. After playing through all ten, you'll quickly get an understanding of which three or so are your favorite, and the couple that you don't like will probably never be played again. Twenty electroplankton would have been excellent.

But, it is what it is: art. It's futile to attach some ultimate score for something like this; art is subjective, therefore someone can think Electroplankton is absolutely brilliant and someone can think it's absolutely not. I happen to fall somewhere inbetween. It's good, but not good enough for the price. Personally, I think it'd be a good idea for you to wait until it's either cheaper or used copies are available.

Woah!!!!!!!!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 7
Date: January 17, 2006
Author: Amazon User

If you can imagine Brian Eno and Isao Tomita conspiring together to create a mixed-media installation of interactive Frippertronics, this is what it would be.

Amazing.

The musical samples are superb and the interface is so simple that non-musician octagenarians can immediately create tunes like Eno or George Winston.

Thank you, Toshio Iwai. You are a sublime genius.

The modes that let you mutate your recorded voice and do loops with insane sound effects from old NES games are pretty fun, but there is some real depth and beauty in this software.

If you're a musician, artist, technogeek or Japanophile, check it out.

How right-brained ARE you?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: January 24, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Well here's the deal. If you like games where there is no set "goal", no "point" system, and no way to record what you've done, then you'll love Electroplankton. If you're into games for the art, rather than the bragging rights, then you'll love Electroplankton.

Personally, I love this... application. It's hard to call it a game, because it really pushes the definition. It's a lot of fun, definately for short bursts, say 5-10 minutes at a time, but I could see me playing with this game in years.

It's deinfately a niche product, and it's very obvious why they decided to only sell it online. I just happen to be a member of that niche.

As a basic rule, if you like Aphex Twin - Selected Ambient Works Vol II, you've probably got the mindset to like Electroplankton. It's a unique product, in a world full of the same stuff over and over.

The future of gaming?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: February 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Electroplankton. If you were justa regular person on the streets, and somebody wanted to sell you a copy of a game called that, you might not buy. But Electroplanton is a game that must be seen to be apreciated. Just looking at the game in a store window isn't enough. But if you can find the time to really see the game and possibly buy, you may be greately rewarded with an amzing Game Experience.
Essentally, Electroplankton is like 10 musical toys in one package. Each one has you using the TouchScreen and Microphone to make different kinds of music. The 10 different toys have you drawing lines, taping things, or just talking into the Mic. The game even has an Audience mode, so if you want to learn the game without reading a 50-page odd smelling booklet, you can simply see the game in action, then pick up as you go along.
This game does have a flaw. No saving. Yep, unlike normal music, once you make an awsome song, there's no way of saving it. And unfortunately, re-creating the song you made 10 minutes ago is ALOT harder than it sounds. Also, the game can get old after a little while. But, even after a day of doing nothing but gaming, this game is still good for a good old 5-minute play session.

Music from the deep cloudy depths of the sea

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: February 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

When you have a DS and a good $40.00 Electroplankton's the game for you. Even if you don't like music this game'll getn you groovin' with it's funky jams, super shapes, dilarious dings, wonderful whistles, and more. With the ten electroplankton to choose from anything is possible. From the Tracing Tracies, to the Stupedous Vol-Voice it's all good. Each one has a unique ability like the Nano carps can make shapes and do this by listening to your voice, and the Hannenbows make different sounds according to the angle of the leaf. Plus not only can you preform with them, but they can preform for you, with Audiance mode just sit back and relax and let the little guys do their thing. This game get's addicting and there's no-telling what's in store for you. Electroplankton has a magnifinying circle at the top screen for you to check out the plankton's fabulous feautures. Not only can you do the same old, same old type of pattern over and over for some electroplankton you can press select to go to a different pattern. Like in the Lumiloops if you press select it'll transfer you to a different backrouned Lumiloop-world, although the Lumiloops look the same the sounds are different! The possibilities are endless in Electroplankton, and when som bodys down a kooky electroplankton beat is the PERFECT thing to cheer them up. Electroplankton is the best DS game I hav ever seen, It's got music, art, and the results of curiousity all in one. Remember a mysterious beat awaits you under the deep dark depths of the sea when you by Electroplankton.

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