Amplitude (2003 video game)

Amplitude is a rhythm action video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. A remake of Harmonix's earlier game Frequency, Amplitude refines and expands upon the core gameplay mechanics, offering a more polished and challenging experience.

The game centers around navigating a series of interconnected tracks, each representing a different instrument within a song (e.g., drums, bass, vocals, synth). Players control a Beat Blaster ship and "capture" beats on these tracks by pressing the corresponding buttons on the PlayStation 2 controller in time with the music. Successfully capturing a sequence of beats activates that instrument's track, allowing the player to focus on another instrument within the song.

Gameplay in Amplitude emphasizes strategic track selection. The player must choose which instruments to activate and maintain to maximize their score and effectively "remix" the song in real-time. Failing to capture beats deactivates tracks, requiring the player to reactivate them.

The game features a diverse soundtrack of licensed electronic music, spanning various genres like trance, house, and drum and bass. Difficulty levels range from easy to expert, catering to players of varying skill levels.

Amplitude also includes a multiplayer mode, allowing up to four players to compete against each other locally. Players can sabotage each other's progress by temporarily disabling tracks.

A sequel/reboot titled Amplitude was released in 2016 for the PlayStation 4.