Not Just Chess: Diving in the World of Simple Audio Games
Chess and checkers are wonderful games, but the world of video games offers much more variety. In this article, we will delve into the world of simple audio games, where hearing becomes as vital a tool as vision for interacting with the virtual world. We will also explore a list of audio games that offer a varied gameplay experience, inspiring not only the development of tactical thinking but also imagination.
Definition of Audio Games
Audio games are a form of interactive entertainment based on sound effects, music, and auditory instructions, where the player interacts with the virtual world and makes decisions based on auditory impressions. Unlike traditional video games, audio games usually do not include visual elements, relying solely on sound design to convey information and stimulate the player’s imagination. They can encompass a wide range of genres, from text adventures and audio dramas to sound puzzles and audio RPGs, creating unique and engaging gaming experiences for users of all ages and abilities.
Gameplay Features and Genre Variety in Audio Games
The gameplay features in audio games are closely tied to their genre diversity. In the world of audio games, you can find everything from text quests and audio dramas to sound puzzles and audio RPGs. Each genre offers its unique gameplay features, evoking various emotions and stimulating different aspects of auditory perception. For example, audio dramas immerse the player in captivating stories through dialogues and sound effects, while sound puzzles require the player to solve audio-based challenges using logic and attention to the details of the soundscape. Regardless of preferences, the variety of audio game genres ensures that every player can find something exciting and unique for themselves.
Arcade Racing: Sonic Zoom
“Sonic Zoom” is a project developed by a team of students from the University of North Carolina under the name “Sounds Like Fun.” The game was created in 2004 for the Windows operating system and is an arcade racing game where the player controls a car called SonicZoom.
The gameplay is based on collecting coins, avoiding obstacles, and reaching the finish line. The road is divided into three lanes where the player can accelerate, decelerate, and change lanes using the arrow keys. Coins and obstacles have different sound effects depending on which lane they are in, helping the player understand the events happening on the screen.
The player starts with three extra lives, and each collision with an obstacle results in the loss of one life. The goal of the game is to collect coins and complete levels as quickly as possible to score the highest points.
While the game is easy to learn and targeted at children aged 8 and up, it offers challenges for players of all ages. For example, even experienced gamers may find it difficult to set a new record.
We give the game positive reviews for its simplicity and ease of use, as it does not require installation and has straightforward and engaging gameplay. However, in fairness, we must note a few points. Regarding the audio, it could be of higher quality for a more comfortable gaming experience and more accurate identification of the location of coins and obstacles. Additionally, there are no settings, not even basic volume control.
Overall, “Sonic Zoom” is an entertaining arcade racing game with simple but captivating gameplay that can appeal to both beginners and experienced players, especially those who enjoy this genre. However, despite the game being released back in 2004 and considering all the points mentioned above, we cannot rate it higher than 6 out of 10, as our goal was to evaluate the game based on the needs of people with vision impairments, and it has significant issues in this regard.
Drowning in Problems
“Drowning in Problems” is a short text-based game in the genres of clicker and incremental games, created in 2014 by Markus Persson (Notch), the developer of Minecraft. The game is a kind of exploration of problems and the philosophy of solving them.
The main mechanic of the game involves clicking the “solve” button (link) and watching the progress of problem-solving. However, it is essential to note that the developer warns of the game’s extremely bleak philosophy, and it is recommended that people in an unstable emotional state refrain from playing.
The game is characterized by its brevity and minimalism. It encourages contemplation of problem-solving ideas and their consequences.
One of the advantages of the game is its implementation as a web page, allowing it to be played on any device connected to the internet, not just a PC.
On the downside, there is no save feature for current progress, meaning that if the page is reloaded, the game will start from the beginning. Additionally, the monotony of actions can quickly lead to a desire to do something else. Furthermore, it is important to remember that visually impaired or blind players will need a screen reader installed to play “Drowning in Problems.”
Considering the above, the game might be an interesting option for killing time on a mobile device while waiting in lines or traveling, but you will likely find something more engaging.
Our rating: 5 out of 10, as it can be interesting at first, but for visually impaired or blind people, it quickly becomes boring.
Pacman Talks
“Pacman Talks” is an audio version of the classic arcade game PacMan, released by PCS Games. It aims to take audio games to a new level, bringing back the atmosphere of a game from the past that has already become a classic.
Its sound design, including a compilation of original PacMan sounds and the hit record “PacMan Fever” by Buckner & Garcia, gives the game an authentic retro character and immerses the player in the atmosphere of 1980s arcade machines.
The goal of the game remains the same as in the original PacMan: the player controls the character Pacman, who must collect dots and avoid ghosts in a maze. The innovation lies in the use of audio cues for visually impaired people, which help the player navigate the maze and interact with the environment.
The game offers various difficulty levels, with the ghosts becoming faster and smarter with each level, challenging the player and requiring constant skill and reaction development. For beginners, there is a training mode that allows them to master the controls and basic mechanics of the game without the fear of being attacked by ghosts.
“Pacman Talks” provides a demo version that allows you to try the first level of the game, and if you like it, you can purchase the full version to access the remaining 23 levels.
By preserving the originality of the gameplay, sound design, and adding audio cues, “Pacman Talks” represents an interesting update to the classic PacMan game.
In our opinion, “Pacman Talks” deserves a score of 7 out of 10. While the sound design of the cues is not perfect and could be more comfortable, the gameplay itself is very engaging, evoking various emotions, and sometimes adrenaline. It encourages the player to overcome emotions and challenges.
The game needs to be installed on a Windows PC, but it is very simple and accessible even for the blind. It should also be noted that the game was released in 2002, and when testing it on Windows 11, there were errors at launch that were not critical and could be bypassed by pressing the “Enter” key. These errors appear at every launch and are likely due to the game’s considerable age.
In conclusion to the article about simple audio games, it can be emphasized that these games open up new horizons in entertainment for players with vision problems. They provide an entry-level gateway into the world of video games, offering unique gameplay and experiences based on audio accompaniment, stimulating imagination and developing creative thinking.
Audio games released in the past have worthy representatives, but most of them share a common set of problems, primarily related to poor-quality audio accompaniment.
However, even as technology continues to evolve, audio games remain a niche aspect of the gaming industry. The future of this genre holds enormous potential for opportunities and unique gaming experiences, but practically none of the major developers pay attention to it.