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Pardon the dust! This page includes some jargon that hasn't been added to the site's glossary yet. I'll be around to fix this later, but sorry for the inconvenience in the meantime. |
Review: AudioShield
At a Glance
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How to Save and Pause:Your scores are recorded after each round. There's no way (or real need) to save your game otherwise. To pause the game, bring up your headset's menu by pressing the appropriate button on your controller. Time needed per session:The length of each level is determined by the song that you're playing. However, as this is a virtual reality game, you'll need time to set up your headset as well as play, so give yourself at least 15 minutes for each session.
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Does this game pose issues for Christian players?
 | Some players may have concerns This game would be completely inoffensive if it wasn't for the music that comes with it - some songs contain profanity or graphic album artwork. |
Screenshots
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/audioshield_0.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/audioshield_1.jpg)
![[view screenshot]](../images/screenshots/audioshield_2.jpg)
Game Overview
As you can probably guess from the title, AudioShield is a virtual reality rhythm game. In fact, it's title is even more on the nose than that: in this game, you have a shield in each hand, and score points by "fighting" the music with the shields you're carrying in each hand. During each song, blue and red comets will come flying at you in sync with the beat. To earn points you simply move your hands so that your shields block the comets. Keep in mind that you need to match the color of your shield to the color of the comet; blue comets can't be blocked with the red shield and vice versa.
Things can get a little more complicated than that however. On lower difficulty modes, the blue comets always come from the left and the red from the right, matching the handedness of your shields. This is not guaranteed on higher difficulties, and you can also encounter purple comets on any difficulty. In order to block the purple comets, you'll need to create a purple shield by bringing your hands together - in other words, you combine the blue + red shields to make a purple one. There's also an "exercise" option that prompts the game to send white triangles at you from the center of the playfield. You can't deflect a triangle; instead, you're supposed to dodge them entirely by ducking under them as they pass by.
Now, one of the best things about this game is that there's no need for a level editor. Since AudioShield uses the same beat detection system as AudioSurf 2, it can generate new levels for you just by loading music you've uploaded to your headset. You don't even need to worry about placing the files in special folders - it automatically checks your headset's download and music folders. Just remember that if you are going to play custom songs, the song's tempo will control the comets. The faster the beat, the crazier the level gets.
Of course, people are going to be quick to compare this title with other rhythm games like Beat Saber or Ragnarock. Personally, I don't really think this is a fair comparison, as each game is trying to do things in their own way. In particular, AudioShield doesn't penalize you for missing comets or other mistakes; something that may make it more suitable for a beginner or someone who's just trying out virtual reality games for the first time.
If you're up for a game that lets you "dance" to music without judging your skills, this might be the game for you. My only real complaint with it is the price - it doesn't feel like a $20 game. There's just not that much there.
Things can get a little more complicated than that however. On lower difficulty modes, the blue comets always come from the left and the red from the right, matching the handedness of your shields. This is not guaranteed on higher difficulties, and you can also encounter purple comets on any difficulty. In order to block the purple comets, you'll need to create a purple shield by bringing your hands together - in other words, you combine the blue + red shields to make a purple one. There's also an "exercise" option that prompts the game to send white triangles at you from the center of the playfield. You can't deflect a triangle; instead, you're supposed to dodge them entirely by ducking under them as they pass by.
Now, one of the best things about this game is that there's no need for a level editor. Since AudioShield uses the same beat detection system as AudioSurf 2, it can generate new levels for you just by loading music you've uploaded to your headset. You don't even need to worry about placing the files in special folders - it automatically checks your headset's download and music folders. Just remember that if you are going to play custom songs, the song's tempo will control the comets. The faster the beat, the crazier the level gets.
Of course, people are going to be quick to compare this title with other rhythm games like Beat Saber or Ragnarock. Personally, I don't really think this is a fair comparison, as each game is trying to do things in their own way. In particular, AudioShield doesn't penalize you for missing comets or other mistakes; something that may make it more suitable for a beginner or someone who's just trying out virtual reality games for the first time.
If you're up for a game that lets you "dance" to music without judging your skills, this might be the game for you. My only real complaint with it is the price - it doesn't feel like a $20 game. There's just not that much there.
Points of Interest
Non-judgmental
A lot of games will outright end if the player can't keep up or do well enough, so it's refreshing to see one that's willing to let you play through even when you're terrible at it. This game doesn't have a life meter or anything to limit how many mistakes you can make, so you could potentially miss every comet and triangle in a song and still get some points. Doing well just earns you a higher score - nothing more or less.
As hard as you desire
Even without the exercise option, you can choose from several different settings to tailor the experience to your skill level (or alternatively, just lose yourself in the music). Don't want to break a sweat? No problem - just choose the lower settings. Up for a challenge? Try the song on hard.
That's about it
The only real challenge is earning a high score. There's no progression, nothing to unlock, and no achievements to earn. There isn't even a set of Steam trading cards available. This can make the game feel cheap or incomplete compared to other virtual reality games in the same price range.
Concerns and Issues
Problems with the bundled music
AudioShield's song selection screen displays the album art for every song. This is a neat feature, but there is a problem because of it - some of the songs that come with this game have disturbing album art, including a few images that resemble gore.
Lastly, some of these included songs also contain profanity.
Lastly, some of these included songs also contain profanity.