SYNTHSPACE
- February 27, 2021
- Bright Light Interstellar Limited
Synthspace is a virtual synthesizer game that brings the world of modular synthesis to everyone, offering an infiniteexpansion, customization, and sharing of synthesizer setups. It features 40+ modules, interactive lessons, context help, and the ability to record sessions, import samples, and even record yourself inside VR with a webcam. With its 1:1 Eurorack scaling, Synthspace provides a realistic and immersive experience for synth enthusiasts.
Reviews
- Synthspace offers a promising blend of creativity and accessibility, making it a great platform for those interested in modular synthesis.
- The VR experience is immersive and allows for intuitive interaction with synthesizers, making music creation fun and engaging.
- The developer is active and responsive to feedback, showing commitment to improving the software and adding new features.
- The software has significant bugs, including crashes when loading saved patches and issues with core modules not functioning properly.
- Many essential features and modules are missing, leading to a less functional experience compared to competitors.
- The interface can be unintuitive and clumsy, making it difficult for beginners to navigate and learn effectively.
- music11 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game is highly praised for its immersive experience with synths in virtual reality, making it an excellent tool for both beginners and seasoned music producers. Users appreciate its straightforward interface for music creation, though some express a desire for better tutorials to aid those without a musical background. Overall, it's recommended for anyone interested in electronic music, despite some concerns about accessibility for those on a budget.
“If you want to experience synths in VR, this is what you have to try. As a producer and a musician, I finally can interact with synths in virtual space!”
“Very much worth a try if you are into anything music production or even just want to mess around and make cool noises.”
“But for now, even as a standalone experience, this is really something special and everyone who likes synths or making electronic music should own this if they have a VR headset.”
“On the other hand, I can't recommend it for people who don't have a lot of money who are looking for a quality music-making experience right now.”
“I'm a beginner in music production and wish there was a proper tutorial on how and what to connect in what order, etc. As someone who doesn't have any background, this is hard to learn.”
“It's a really straightforward music production tool, but I see it as more suitable for those already familiar with production.”
- story3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the story aspect of the game is currently well-received, particularly in the upcoming Quest version, which users can access by supporting the developer on Patreon. Additionally, players are enjoying the experience on Oculus Quest 1/2, especially when utilizing PC VR capabilities.
- graphics2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics in Synth VR are praised for their strong synthwave aesthetic, effectively complementing the immersive experience. Users appreciate the realistic visuals, which enhance the generative exploration sessions central to modular synthesis.
“I appreciate the realistic graphics.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users report mixed experiences with optimization; while some experience occasional performance issues that resolve after a restart, others enjoy consistently smooth performance, achieving around 90fps even on slightly older hardware.
“I haven't had any crashes, but I have experienced performance issues with only a few modules loaded. I couldn't replicate it, and it went away after a restart of Synthspace. Otherwise, it has run great, and I haven't had any usability issues.”
“Good hardware from a few years ago, kind of aging today, but nonetheless, I get smooth 90fps performance pretty much at all times.”
“I haven't had any crashes, but I have experienced performance issues with only a few modules loaded. I couldn't replicate the issue, and it went away after a restart of Synthspace. Otherwise, it has run great, and I haven't had any usability issues.”
“Good hardware from a few years ago is kind of aging today, but nonetheless, I get smooth 90fps performance pretty much at all times.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, users report significant improvements in stability since the 2022 update, noting a reduction in bugs and a positive response from the developers in addressing issues.
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
“I experience constant lag and frame drops, which ruin the experience.”
“There are still numerous bugs that disrupt gameplay, despite some improvements.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is noted for its potential to serve as an engaging interactive teaching tool, with users appreciating the inclusion of amusing tracks that enhance the overall experience.
“The humor in this game is absolutely delightful, with clever jokes and witty dialogue that keep you laughing throughout.”
“I love how the game incorporates humor into its mechanics, making even the most mundane tasks entertaining.”
“The quirky characters and their hilarious interactions add a unique charm that makes the gameplay experience unforgettable.”