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AudioSurf

AudioSurf Game Cover
92%Game Brain Score
music, gameplay
story, stability
96% User Score Based on 7,550 reviews
Critic Score 84%Based on 3 reviews

Platforms

PCWindows
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AudioSurf Game Cover

About

AudioSurf is a single player arcade racing game. It was developed by Dylan Fitterer and was released on February 15, 2008. It received positive reviews from critics and overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Audiosurf is a puzzle/rhythm hybrid game created by Invisible Handlebar, a personal company created by Dylan Fitterer. It's track-like stages visually mimic the music the player chooses, while the player races across several lanes collecting colored blocks that appear in sync with the music. The music used in the game is chosen from the user's own library, from almost any DRM-free format, as well …

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AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
AudioSurf screenshot
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96%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,550 reviews
music1.7k positive mentions
story11 negative mentions
  • Audiosurf allows players to use their own music library, creating a unique and personalized gameplay experience with every song.
  • The game features various modes and characters, providing a mix of casual and challenging gameplay that can cater to different player preferences.
  • Visually, Audiosurf is vibrant and engaging, with tracks that dynamically adapt to the rhythm and tempo of the chosen music, making it a fun and immersive experience.
  • The game can be buggy, with frequent crashes and issues related to the user interface, particularly when selecting songs or navigating menus.
  • Players must have their music files stored locally, which limits accessibility in an age where streaming services dominate music consumption.
  • Some users report that the gameplay does not always sync well with the music, leading to a disjointed experience that can detract from the rhythm game feel.
  • music
    6,644 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of Audiosurf is highly praised for its unique ability to transform any song from the player's library into a dynamic, interactive gameplay experience. Players appreciate the game's synchronization with the tempo and intensity of their chosen tracks, allowing for a personalized and immersive journey through their music. However, some users note that the enjoyment heavily depends on the quality and type of music selected, with faster-paced songs generally providing a more engaging experience compared to slower tracks. Overall, Audiosurf is celebrated as a creative and enjoyable way to experience music, especially for those with extensive music collections.

    • “Audiosurf isn’t just a rhythm game — it’s a portal into your own music library.”
    • “You ride your ship down a colorful track built from your music’s waveform, collecting clusters, dodging blocks, chaining combos, and aiming for perfect sync with the rhythm.”
    • “Every song becomes a new track, a new challenge, and a new way to experience music.”
    • “The visuals do not match the music as well as they could.”
    • “The music selection isn't great-- not for me anyway.”
    • “The game generates each level based on the audio from the song you pick from either radio or your own music collection.”
  • gameplay
    444 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of Audiosurf is a unique blend of rhythm and puzzle mechanics, allowing players to ride dynamic tracks generated from their own music library. While many praise its addictive and engaging nature, some users express frustration with the reliance on song quality for enjoyable gameplay and the inconvenience of needing to tag music files for optimal experiences. Overall, the game offers a variety of modes and characters that cater to different playstyles, making it accessible yet challenging for both casual and hardcore gamers.

    • “Audiosurf is a riveting fusion of music and gameplay, offering a unique experience where players literally ride the waves of their favorite songs.”
    • “The gameplay is simple and has good replayability as there are always other tracks in your library you can try out.”
    • “With a wide selection of game modes and difficulties, a near-endless supply of unique gameplay experiences using the contents of your music library and online leaderboards for every song in existence, can I recommend Audiosurf highly enough?”
    • “Most mainstream songs didn't generate good charts (thus making gameplay extremely lackluster) and I ended up regretting purchasing the game at all.”
    • “The reality was felt more like a proof of concept, however, with minimalist gameplay.”
    • “Unfortunately, for a game that offers so much, the gameplay left me unsatisfied.”
  • graphics
    347 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of Audiosurf are described as colorful and engaging, effectively syncing with the music to create a visually stimulating experience. While some users note that the visuals can feel dated, they still appreciate the game's unique aesthetic and the ability to customize graphics settings for different hardware capabilities. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight, enhancing the gameplay and providing a nostalgic charm for fans of the 2000s aesthetic.

    • “The visuals are colorful and keep up with the music really well, making it feel like a perfect mix of game and music player.”
    • “The graphics are amazing!!”
    • “The visuals are absolutely stunning.”
    • “For some reason, after being in the game for a set amount of time, the graphics start flickering and flashing, and the game inevitably freezes and closes down.”
    • “The graphics are outdated, and there is little to no online features, but who cares when you have a game like this in your Steam library?”
    • “The animations and art direction are atrocious, with terrible low-res graphics, even when set on HD resolutions.”
  • replayability
    135 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Audiosurf boasts nearly infinite replayability, primarily due to its ability to generate unique tracks from any song in the player's music library, making each playthrough a fresh experience. The game also features various characters, difficulties, and online leaderboards, further enhancing its replay value. Players consistently highlight that as long as they have a diverse music collection, the game's replayability remains virtually limitless.

    • “With its ability to use any song from your music library, Audiosurf becomes an endlessly replayable and deeply personal experience.”
    • “The fact that I'm still playing 11 years later goes to show that this game has longevity and replayability!”
    • “The ability to 'surf' every single song (and compare stats on an online leaderboard) makes it one of the most replayable games of all time, and adds incentive to getting into new bands.”
    • “The fact that it creates a unique track based on the song you load gives it almost infinite replayability.”
    • “The game changes with every different song you choose, which provides infinite replay value and a way of experiencing your music like never before.”
    • “But its replayability depends solely on how extensive a music collection and/or how much you like listening to it.”
  • story
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with many users noting that there is no traditional narrative or character development. While some players appreciate the freedom to create their own experiences through music, they agree that the lack of a structured plot does not detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. Overall, the consensus is that the game excels in gameplay mechanics rather than storytelling.

    • “I give the plot a 10/10 — I essentially created my own plot for the game, regarding the eldritch digitalized horror at the end of each track; basically, the in-game vehicle is the vessel we use to send human sacrifices to appease the beast.”
    • “As someone who comprehends music through a storytelling perspective, this is the perfect game for me to just let my mind wander.”
    • “The music selection sucks, but the story is compelling.”
    • “Or in other words, there is no story.”
    • “There is no story, background, or setup to the game.”
    • “This is one of those games which doesn't need story or setting.”
  • humor
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding it hilarious due to its quirky mechanics, amusing music integration, and entertaining visuals. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its absurdity and the fun interactions with music, making it a delightful experience, especially in casual or relaxed settings. Overall, it is described as a funny and addictive game that provides a unique blend of humor and gameplay.

    • “This game is hilarious because you run into fun cool colored blocks while playing connect 4 at the same time.”
    • “Audiosurf is a funny and unique music/puzzle racer game!”
    • “It can be played with any music in your library, and causes many hilarious instances.”
  • stability
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, particularly in the menus and during gameplay, leading to issues like freezing and graphical glitches. While some players find the experience manageable and enjoyable despite these problems, others note that the game can become unplayable at times, especially when using fullscreen mode. Overall, the game is described as "buggy" but still fun, with varying experiences depending on the user's hardware and patience for technical issues.

    • “Still runs great in 2019!”
    • “I have a pretty crappy laptop and this runs great. Audiosurf 2 lags a bit, so I just don't bother with it. Most of the difference between the two is customization in skins and such.”
    • “For some reason, after being in the game for a set amount of time, the graphics start flickering and flashing, and the game inevitably freezes and closes down.”
    • “It's buggy, and I experienced crashes.”
    • “Furthermore, the game glitches all the time; the picture will cut up and display in strange ways, and the game stutters a lot (though it is admittedly difficult at times to tell what's stuttering and what's just a particularly powerful beat in the song).”
  • grinding
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is perceived as tedious and overly time-consuming, particularly due to its reliance on local music and convoluted navigation for achievements. While some players appreciate the nostalgic feel of grinding to a classic soundtrack, many feel that the experience is hindered by its outdated mechanics and lack of modern conveniences, making it more suitable for casual play rather than dedicated sessions.

    • “Too grindy.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Nothing in the game is too tedious other than your choice of song, or the insanely elaborate file pathways you have to traverse just to find that piece of noise that you're looking for.”
    • “I see this as being better as a mobile or tablet game that you mindlessly play while listening to music, but it doesn't appear to be able to link to any standard playlist options, so it gets a bit tedious.”
  • atmosphere
    12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive qualities, effectively drawing players into its vibrant, neon-lit environments reminiscent of cyberpunk aesthetics. Reviewers highlight the successful integration of music and visual design, creating a compelling backdrop that enhances the overall gaming experience. While some tracks are noted to fit better than others, the overall ambiance is described as engaging and enjoyable, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.

    • “They create atmosphere, tell stories, and draw us into the virtual world.”
    • “I also think what I like about this game most is the layout and atmosphere, from the beautifully designed background to the glowing neon environment; it makes the trip an enjoyable one.”
    • “From the atmosphere, to the replayability, to the delectable music taste the developers have, this game is a win-win-win.”
    • “I also think what I like about this game most is the layout and atmosphere. From the beautifully designed background to the glowing neon environment, it makes the trip an enjoyable one.”
    • “From the atmosphere to the replayability, to the delectable music taste the developers have, this game is a win-win-win.”
    • “This game is just brilliant and really creates a Tron-like atmosphere when listening to your music.”
  • optimization
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing significant stuttering and freezing issues, while others report smooth performance with no crashes or bugs. Despite some improvements over time, many users still find the game unoptimized, leading to frustration, particularly on older hardware. Overall, the optimization experience varies widely among players, with some enjoying a seamless experience and others facing persistent performance problems.

    • “[*][b][u]Optimization:[/u] 10/10[/b] [i](I had no crashes, no lags, or any kind of bugs since my first play).”
    • “Performance 10/10”
    • “The game runs smoothly and I don't think I have had too many issues with it.”
    • “Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this in 2025 due to stuttering and freezing issues.”
    • “For the mentioned account/social removal and the numerous performance issues that were never present before, I do not recommend this title, sadly.”
    • “As much as I wanted to like this game, it is extremely unoptimized.”
  • emotional
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke strong feelings, ranging from joy to nostalgia, despite a dated interface. Players express a deep connection to the music and narrative, particularly in the poignant story of Nick, a deaf surfer navigating personal and social challenges, which adds layers of emotional depth to the gameplay experience. Overall, the game successfully intertwines music and storytelling to create a heartfelt journey.

    • “Made me cry from enjoyment, this is the only game that got me to do that.”
    • “Audiosurf is the touching, tragicomic dark comedy drama about a young boy named Nick, who was born deaf, then wasn't deaf, then he was deaf again, and he's a surfer.”
    • “Face up to classmates who make fun of his disability, out-compete bigoted surfers who won't accept him, and do your best to forge an emotional connection between Nick and his single dad, who seems to harbor a feeling that he has somehow failed Nick simply because Nick is deaf.”
  • monetization
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's monetization model is well-received, with users appreciating the absence of microtransactions and additional downloadable content (DLC), indicating a preference for a straightforward purchase without ongoing costs.

    • “No microtransactions, thank you!”
    • “The DLC policy is fair and adds value without being intrusive.”
    • “I appreciate that the game doesn't rely on microtransactions to enhance the experience.”
    • “The game's monetization strategy feels overly aggressive, pushing players to spend more than they should.”
    • “I was disappointed to see that essential content is locked behind paywalls, making it hard to enjoy the full experience without spending extra.”
    • “The constant bombardment of in-game purchases detracts from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the game.”
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84%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews
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56h Median play time
71h Average play time
8h Main story
14h Completionist
7-94h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

AudioSurf is a arcade racing game.

AudioSurf is available on PC and Windows.

The main story can be completed in around 8 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 14 hours to finish. On average players spend around 71 hours playing AudioSurf.

AudioSurf was released on February 15, 2008.

AudioSurf was developed by Dylan Fitterer.

AudioSurf has received positive reviews from players and positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its story.

AudioSurf is a single player game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Audiosurf 2, Beat Hazard, Riff Racer, Symphony, Melody's Escape and others.