Auditorium HD is a unique combination of puzzle, music and stripped-down aesthetics that was just released onto the Playstation Network. Developed by Cipher Prime and published by Zoo Games. It was originally available as an award-winning Flash game, the PSN download has been packed with extra content and rechristened Auditorium HD. As well as the original 72 levels of the PC release, there’s now an extra 78 levels in full native 1080p or stereoscopic 3D, with Move controls thrown into the bargain as well.
Auditorium HD is easily one of the most beautiful gaming experiences I have ever reviewed. Every single puzzle is rendered in visually stunning high definition. The puzzle is solved when all of the gauges are filled become much more complex as you progress with the addition of new tools, color filters and color specific gauges. However, the true beauty of this game lies in its accessibility for casual gamers and hardcore gamers alike. The puzzles are complex enough to challenge anyone, yet simple enough to keep people of lesser skill engaged throughout their play.
There are two modes in the game: Auditorium Classic, which are the songs from the PC game, and Auditorium Modern, from the PSN version. Classic has more stages but each one is shorter, most only lasting about 5 or so levels. Modern has longer more complex stages. The first stages are easy, and by the time you get stuck, you are usually on the last stage anyway, so once you beat that, the difficulty cycle starts over. The cycle is addictive, and the game keeps adding new concepts to keep things interesting.
Auditorium HD comes with a phenomenal audio cues that let you know how close you are to solving a puzzle and you have the most complete casual puzzle game I have ever played. In Auditorium HD you direct streams of colored light/grain into equalizer gauges to create music.
The style of gameplay may not be for everyone, but Auditorium HD may be pretty close to the perfect example of its genre. Accessibility for casual players and plenty of challenge for puzzle veterans combined with the most incredible audio and visuals I’ve seen in a game of this style means this a must for fans of the category.
For $9.99 this game is a steal with over 70+ levels and 26 songs for you to put together Auditorium HD offers nearly endless replay value.
My score is 7/10
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