Amplitude (PlayStation 2)

By JON MINIFIE

(Herald rating: * * * *)

The sequel to last year's Frequency promises more addictive, rhythm-based gameplay for wannabe producers and aspiring armchair DJs.

In the simple gameplay you travel along a sonic freeway made of multicoloured lanes. Each lane and colour represents an instrument (percussion instruments are red, blue for bass, and so on) and there are markers called note capsules on each lane that correspond to buttons on your controller.

Pressing the correct button as you pass over the various note capsules releases the sonic energy, a section of the song. When you complete a few measures worth of notes, you will activate that section then move on to another instrument until you have built a complete song, all live and on the fly.

Using L1, R1 and R2 buttons takes some getting used to, but it is infinitely faster than trying to play using the standard circle, triangle, square and X buttons.

Keep an eye out for useful power-ups that can clear and activate an entire channel, while another will slow the game to a crawl, making it easy for you to bring your wayward tune back on track. Once you have locked in all the tracks, there is a chance to perform a little freestyle scratching with the thumbstick.

Amplitude's developers (Harmonix) have cranked everything up a few notches and come up with an even more diverse selection of songs for this sequel.

The impressive list includes David Bowie, Garbage, Herbie Hancock, Weezer, Pink, Blink 182, Papa Roach, Mekon and Roxanne, Quarashi, Manchild, Slipknot, the Baldwin Brothers, Game Boyz, Logan 7, Dieselboy, P. O. D., Production Club and BT.

I couldn't find much wrong with Amplitude. The diverse selection of songs offers a little something for everyone, with fiendishly addictive gameplay that is fun alone or with a crowd.

Price: $119.95