User Reviews (1 - 11 of 54)

Show these reviews first:

Highest Rated
Lowest Rated Newest
Oldest Most Helpful
Least Helpful

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.

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.

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.

Amazing Potential - I'm Desperately Waiting for a Sequel

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 13 / 13
Date: June 21, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Electroplankton isn't a game. It's a musical instrument. You get ten different "scenarios" - each with different critters that let you explore your musical talents.

For example, in one scenario you have little snowflake shaped creatures filling the DS screen. As you tap on each one, it plays its own unique little note. Tapping and dragging creates a symphony of gently tinkling sounds.

In another situation, little firefly type creatures respond to your noises. You can clap and sing and they'll create formations - circles, lines, hearts, even special shapes.

I'm sure every player has their own favorite game. One of the games lets you record a short sound segment and then play it back in many different ways - including backwards. Another lets you draw lines and have the creatures follow the lines, playing songs as they go.

I have two personal favorites. One is Rec-Rec. You have four fish swiming around in a loop. They swim for four "beats" and you can in fact have a background beat rhythm playing for you. It's in essence a four track recorder. You record each fish's song / sound / speech separately. So you could have one fish singing "Frere Jacques, Frere Jacques" and then the next fish sing "Dormez Vous? Dormez Vous?" and create your own personal round. You can lay down drums on one fish, then make bass noises for the next and have a cool song going. I can literally play this for hours and hours, swapping songs around.

My other favorite game is Beatnes which is in essence the same thing but with notes to play. You get four chains of notes to choose from. You tap out a song on one, which then cycles around repeatedly. You can add notes from the other chains to add harmonies or counter-tunes. The problem here is that a given tune only cycles for a few times and then goes away, so you have to keep filling the pieces back in again.

Actually the HUGE issue here is that I run into all sorts of sound combinations I really really adore - but there's no way to easily save them! I would LOVE to be able to hit a 'save' button and save a given combination to the card, to play again later for myself or for friends / family. This would have been super easy for them to implement. I am baffled why they didn't.

Also, each game is *really* basic. Beatnes times out after X rounds. Why not give us the option to not time out? To time out after 50 rounds? Also, while in general I really enjoy the sounds that are included in each situation, the beatnes sounds are all very "computer gamey". I would have *loved* to have say bell sounds or piano sounds available here. Again, it would have been very easy to do and would have really expanded what the game could be.

I think this is a brilliant starting point. I love music, I come from a musical household and even with the limited options here I do play this a fair amount. Even so, there is just SO much more they could have done - in terms of game types, sound options, looping options and so on. It would have taken only a tiny bit more effort to add those in, since the basic work was already done. I don't understand why they stopped where they did.

Maybe there'll be a sequel that is much more complete. When it comes out - especially if it has a SAVE option - I'll gladly buy that! In the meantime, there's enough here to keep me entertained.

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.

Possibly the most relaxing game ever made.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 13
Date: February 05, 2006
Author: Amazon User

When I first looked at this game I thought it was an interesting comcept, but nothing special. It seemed like one of these gimmicky toys that would force you to make the music IT wanted you to make... but how wrong i was. Instead you have the unlimited ability to produce some jazzy, haunting, mysterious and often beautiful music. It's so easy to pick up and play that even the most tone deaf can enjoy it. The visuals - though simple - can be astonishing at times, and the music - the star of the show - is just sublime. I highly recommend this game to everyone out there, but urge you to read the manual too, as it explains some really cool tricks (and also smells tremendous!). So PLEASE just buy it now!!

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.

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.

Fun for the under 7-8 kids

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 13
Date: February 18, 2006
Author: Amazon User

My son has had a great time playing this game. He has older brothers who are aloowed to play the more mature games and always feels left out. This game allows him to capture 10 different types of sea creatures, keep them as pets and train them to do tricks for him. He loves it ! and I love it because for once there is a fun game that contains no violence or sexual undertones. There is a large population of very intelligent 7-10 year old kids playing these electronic games and it would be really nice for us parents not to have to pay $30 for a game that teaches our children more anger and killing. I LOVED THIS GAME and more importantly so does my 7 year-old. My 10 year-old sneaks off with it too ! GOOD Choice.We need more like this.

NDS Electroplankton

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 9 / 13
Date: March 23, 2006
Author: Amazon User

THIS IS NOT A GAME.
It's a fun way to experience musical notes with the stylus. I was interested in this because it uses some of the other features on the NDS that are not used in most games.
You use the stylus to move the Electroplankton or the items they strike to change the sounds you hear.
I like the unusual for my DS. I find it relaxing.
If you are a true gamer who likes lots of action, this is not for you.

Review Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Next 

Actions