Music is often used to compliment a game experience. A way to enhance an already solid product, that is why it is often so difficult to base a game entirely around music. There are few things more difficult than crafting an experience where gameplay, graphics and sound all become one. But when it works? It is sensational.
Developer Gateway Interactive's Spectra tries to blend fast-paced racing gameplay with gorgeous chiptune music. It is a novel concept, but one that missed a few beats along the way.Players are tasked with racing down procedurally generated highways, while avoiding roadblocks. When a player does hit a roadblock (and it will happen), it will bounce the player away from it. This can cause the player to run off the neon-lit highway and reach a game over screen.
There are also points to collect, but if you're not going for a high-score there really isn't any reason to go out of your way to collect them. The main goal is just to survive the level, so you can listen to the rest of the soundtrack. Sadly, there just isn't enough depth in Specta to keep it interesting.
Spectra is a short game, there are ten tracks and two different difficulty levels, but one that is only difficult if you are going for a high score. If you don't mind bumping into railings, and just focus on staying on the track, then the game can be completed in an hour or two. While the high score grind will clearly appeal to some, as the procedural levels play towards reaction time not memorization, it never felt compelling enough for me to replay songs and beat my score.
Since the game was developed with replayability in mind, the developer chose to go with procedural tracks instead of a set number. This kills any chance of memorizing levels to get a perfect run, and makes the levels feel a bit lifeless. The track design is just boring at points, and is one of several letdowns during the game. Every track also ends awkwardly as a goal line is placed whenever the song is over, the player can see more of the track in the distance and points that are inaccessible. Tracks never build to an exciting conclusion, rather they just end.
That said, Spectra does manage to produce some intense moments where your vehicle almost slides off the edge only to be saved at the very last second. These thrilling moments are satisfying, but don't last for long. Afterwards you are back to the same gameplay, that never really adds much depth beyond a few boost pads. It is a shame that the gameplay is so uninteresting, as the rest of the package is top-notch.
Progression in the game is handled well, with each track offering three stars to collect. Stars are rewarded to players for progressing far into a level. So if you manage to make it 70% through a level, you'll be rewarded with two stars. In order to unlock the next track, players will have to collect at least one star in the previous level. This means you won't have to complete every track 100% to see everything the game has to offer.
The music, composed by chiptune artist Chipzel, is top-notch and the best reason to check out the game. While I never felt compelled by the gameplay, I constantly wanted to see what the next track was. If you're not into chiptune music, well you're out of luck. There isn't much variety in what Spectra's soundtrack offers so your mileage may vary. Chiptune fans will find a lot to love, though.Graphically the game is also impressive. While it may not be a technical showpiece, Spectra's strong art-style makes up for its simple graphics. Every object on the track is lit up in colorful patterns. Orbs full of point glow a bright orange, contrasting from the darkness of space. Gateway Interactive has produced a game that looks great while it plays, and the game's genuine sense of speed is reinforced by a solid framerate that never suffered any drops.
Despite the gameplay being the least interesting aspect of Spectra, it does manage to become greater as a complete product. It is boosted beyond mediocrity by a sensational soundtrack, and a great aesthetic that keep a product feel vibrant instead of stale. As long as you allow yourself to be immersed in the experience, then there is a lot to like.
Spectra is a game that could have been great, but instead falters in some important areas. Solid track design is thrown away with the game instead opting for replayable, but heartless levels. That being said, Spectra is still a title that is worth experiencing thanks to its stellar melding of visuals and sound.
