Utambi Shinbun

Opinion article
Published on
Updated on

AudioSurf 2: Ride your favorite music
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Audiosurf is a video game that redefines the way we interact with music.

This indie program, available for official download on Steam, was designed with the idea of combining captivating visual entertainment and an engaging auditory experience. The app allows users to enjoy their favorite songs while navigating custom tracks dynamically generated from each individual musical piece.


In both version 1 and version 2, the premise of Audiosurf is simple yet entertaining: players control a vehicle or spaceship that moves along a track with lanes, where they must collect colored blocks that appear synchronized with the rhythm of the selected song. These blocks, when grouped by color, add points to the scoreboard. The key to success lies in forming combinations of three or more blocks of the same color to maximize the score, while simultaneously avoiding an overflow of blocks that can penalize the player.

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To enjoy AudioSurf 2, it is necessary to have music files in MP3 format. The "Music" folder of the operating system is usually the default location for storing these songs. On Windows, this folder can be found within Home alongside other familiar locations such as Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and Videos. Linux users can access this folder through file managers like Dolphin. While it is possible to use songs stored in other locations, the Music folder is the most commonly used.

Once a track is selected, the game analyzes the song to generate a unique route that reflects its rhythms and variations. The experience varies depending on the speed and musical genre, creating a personalized challenge that keeps players immersed in the action. The vehicle, which moves between three main lanes, requires quick direction changes to collect the blocks at the precise moment.

AudioSurf 2 offers multiple game modes that cater to both beginners and experienced players. Among them is the monochrome mode, ideal for those starting out in this challenging universe, as it simplifies the gameplay by using only one color of blocks. Other modes incorporate advanced mechanics such as power-ups, providing more complex and stimulating experiences.

Audiosurf is a way to rediscover music from an interactive perspective. With its innovative blend of rhythm, strategy, and visual entertainment, it has become a classic for both video game and music enthusiasts alike.

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28 Maps for Beginners

When a player selects an MP3 song, Audiosurf performs a detailed analysis of the audio file. This process allows the identification of key elements of the musical composition, such as rhythm, intensity, and melodic variations present in the track. Based on this information, the system generates an internal file, which serves as a guide to structure the game track and define the distribution of the blocks throughout the course.

The internal file contains the necessary data for the game to adapt the visual settings and mechanics to the sonic characteristics of each song. This includes information about the block density, their location, and how the track is configured based on the dynamics of the sound. The synchronization between the musical events and the game elements ensures that each experience is unique and in line with the style of the selected music.

The design of the track is also influenced by the atmosphere of the song. In tracks with a slow and relaxed tempo, the course rises gradually, with cool tones dominating, creating a sense of calm for the player. In contrast, in fast-paced songs with high intensity, the track leans toward steep descents, with warm colors and a much denser flow of blocks. This contrast ensures an immersive experience that captures the essence of each musical piece.

Remember that the application includes guides detailing how to play, in case you need further explanation.

Download the Free Pack

If you don't have MP3 files or find that your favorite songs generate overly complex tracks, Utambi offers a free pack with 28 tracks specially designed for novice players. This set of songs provides a gradual learning curve (like a tutorial), allowing users to progress from level 1 to level 5 in a step-by-step manner (the game doesn't have levels, the level is in your hands).

The main goal of this pack is to help players gain experience and prepare to enjoy more challenging songs. The tracks included start with low complexity (levels 1 and 2), making it easier to understand the basic mechanics of the game. As you progress through the pack, the tracks gradually increase in difficulty, reaching intermediate levels (levels 3 to 5). Once this threshold is surpassed, players will be ready to comfortably face any commercial song available on the market.

All tracks included in this pack belong to the NCS (No Copyright Sounds) category, ensuring that their free redistribution is fully legal. This approach respects copyright laws and offers a safe option for those wishing to get started in the game without worrying about legal issues. Later on, I will recommend commercial songs that can be downloaded from official sites, always respecting copyright laws. At Utambi, intellectual property rights are respected, and music is not distributed without proper authorization.

Installation: The file is compressed in ZIP format. In order for the game to read it, you must decompress it. Extract the folder called "utm audiosurf" and place it inside the "Music" folder. The path will look like this: music/utm audiosurf/level 01 to 05/song.mp3

Best Online Songs for AudioSurf

Amazon Digital offers a wide variety of songs that you can purchase and download directly as MP3 files. It provides competitive rates for purchasing singles and albums. After purchase, the songs are stored in Amazon's music library, making it easy and organized to access.

Our community has submitted their favorite Amazon Music MP3 files so that the AudioSurf algorithm can build maps. Remember that AudioSurf 1 and AudioSurf 2 (or their alternative apps) still cannot use Spotify to create custom maps or Community Mods, so it is necessary to search for the MP3s of your favorite tracks and install them on your computer's hard drive. If you use Apple Music, the company has provided instructions for downloading on their official site (most users have commented that they also required an Apple Music Converter).

Popular Maps on Utambi

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Editor's note: This article was written on , and updated on of the same year.

Columnist's Opinion

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I enjoy AudioSurf because it combines the thrill of controlling the vehicle with the synchronization of the musical rhythm, providing me with an immersive experience with my favorite tracks while competing for the highest score.