Auditorium Review

Works on all the senses. Even smission!

I’m not usually a big fan of puzzle games, when other options present themselves, but after giving the demo of Auditorium a try, I was impressed by the originality of the title, and also the rather beautiful way the game is put together.

Auditorium is a game about harmony.  It’s a little difficult to gain a lexicon of appropriate words, so some of this might sound a little odd to anyone who hasn’t played the game, but stick with me here.  The object of the game is to run a stream of particles (or your “Flow”) over a volume indicator, which starts it playing.  To move the stream of particles, you’re given a set number of moveable fields that effect the particle stream in different ways.  You can adjust the position and size of these fields to effect the stream in different ways.  To complete a level, players have to run the particle stream over every volume meter on the level at the same time, which plays a complete tune.  Once you manage to get the particles activating each volume meter at the same time, the level finishes and you move on to the next.

Still with me, camera guy?

Things start out simply.  The first fields you work with are just directional, they push the stream in different directions.  Things start getting more complicated once you finish the first level, which is where more and more elements begin to be added in.  Certain volume meters can only be activated by changing the colour of the stream.  You get new fields that allow you to attract, repel, speed up and split the stream (to name just a few) and later on you’ll begin to get colour coded versions of these also.

Puzzles often require splitting your Flow in three or more directions

This can all add up to some spectacularly mind-bending puzzles, but the nature of the game seems to keep you calm, while simultaneously keeping you wanting more.

There are several times while playing through the game where you’ll start scratching your head and wondering just how the hell you’re supposed to finish a given puzzle.  As the creators proudly state, there is no one way to finish each puzzle, there are no right and wrong answers.  This is great, from a gameplay standpoint, because it means that each puzzle’s solution should be slowly and surely worked out by the player.  The down side, except for many of the earlier levels, is that it’s not always easy to get help from friends who have also played the game.

Being someone who admires a game that forces the player to think for themselves, I’ve got to tip my hat to how simple yet demanding Auditorium is.

The main reason that the game is so alluring however, apart from it’s sleek, minimalist graphics, is the game’s soundtrack.  Each level has it’s very own unique song to play as part of an overarching “act”.  Levels begin simple, with only one or two volume meters, which play one track of the song for the act.  As the levels progress, however, more and more tracks are added to the song, which culminates at the end of the act with an orchestral work that is built of all the small pieces you’ve activated over the course of the previous levels.  These tracks are performed by the game’s creators Dain Saint and William Stallwood, and it’s fantastic to hear how each piece comes together gradually.  Each level also makes quite a compelling visual impact once completed, also, which it shows off before allowing the player to move on to the next level.  As the challenges become more and more complex, so do the solutions become more and more hypnotic visually.

Using a field twice to effect the same Flow isn't uncommon either

This is a game for when you want to relax a little.  Even the game’s more challenging levels, while certainly difficult, don’t seem to induce any high level of frustration.  They simply take time.  And the game is good at making you forget exactly how much time you’re poured into it.

Auditorium only costs US$11, which includes 15 Acts to play through (or around about 60 levels).  It’s definitely worth it’s price tag, as there are many, many hours of enjoyment to be had.

The game runs through it’s own website too, so there’s no downloading, it just activates instantly with a working account.  Full screen mode is also supported, for those who like their puzzles large and immersive, although I found that boosting up the screen size can negatively effect on the graphics a little.

The Verdict:

Pros: Simple, addictive gameplay.  The game’s style is fantastic, and works even better in concert with the beautiful music the designers have created.  Plenty of variation, and a very good amount of content for your purchase.

Cons: Every now and again, when you get stuck, you’re going to grow a little tired of the single track that you’ve managed to activate while looking for the solution for the others.  Having the game on-site means no playing while you’re away from an internet connection.

Overall: 3.5 out of 5.  Auditorium is a great game, and can really be held up as an example for the puzzle genre.  Worth your while to take a look at the demo, and if you like it, well it’s not going to break your bank to shell out for the full game.  Thumbs up!

For those interested, you should definitely check out the game’s website.  The demo is free to play!