Fluid (video game)

Fluid
Developer(s)Opus[a]
Publisher(s)Sony Computer Entertainment
Director(s)Jun Tsuda
Producer(s)Takayuki Suzuki
Programmer(s)Takaya Nakamura
Platform(s)PlayStation
Release
  • JP: December 6, 1996
  • EU: August 1, 1998
Genre(s)Music
Mode(s)Single-player

Fluid (known in Japan as Depth) is a music video game developed by Opus and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation. It was originally released in Japan in December 1996 and Europe in August 1998. The game's concept is an interactive sound lab which allows the player to create dance and electronic music.

Gameplay

The player character, a dolphin, goes through many stages in order to unlock more sounds, some of which including "Abyss Lair" and "Jungle Reef". Levels can be replayed and selected from the Silent Space, which contains twelve geometric shapes representing the levels "passed". The player starts in the first stage "Peace" and continues through to "Abyss", and ten other levels. Each level contains its own sound set, which can be imported into other levels on completion of the level. The sounds can be utilized to create dance and electronic music in the "Groove Editor".[1]

Groove Editor

The "Groove Editor" allows for in depth manipulation of samples collected. Several tracks can be mixed at once, controlling speed, pitch, frequency and modulation with a series of coloured crystals. Mixes can be saved to memory card, and then played during levels. Controlling the dolphin allowed the player to add improvisations during the playback sessions, frequency being mapped to the up/ down controls, and modulation to left/ right.

Reception

Oli Yarwood of Eurogamer appreciated the game for its surreal nature and soundtrack, comparing it positively to Harmonix's Frequency and Amplitude (also published by Sony).[2]

Notes

  1. ^ Additional work by Sony Computer Entertainment Japan.

References

  1. ^ Yarwood, Jack (September 14, 2022). "Flashback: Remember Fluid? The Psychedelic Game About A Beat-Making Dolphin". Time Extension. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
  2. ^ Welsh, Oli (October 2, 2015). "PS1 at 20: Fluid's symphony of drugs, dolphins and drum'n'bass". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved October 7, 2024.
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