Have you ever thought about if it was just you and your creative mind, how you would fill it? Would you sit back and just embrace what you created or would you just move on to see what all came to mind? I have thought about this on many occasions and just wondered what if…what if I could create with music and somehow bring it together in a unity of wondrous space for movement, shapes, and music. So does Developer Mekiwi give us a way to enter that space? Let’s find out with ArtPulse for the PlayStation VR.
ArtPulse is a VR sandbox that allows you to just let your creative mind flow. You will need both Move controllers in order to play so make sure those are charged. There is not really a lot of instructions about what you need to do here to enjoy your experience with ArtPulse. You will use the T button to select the box object, use the X (cross) button to fly around, use the Circle button to rotate, and the Move button to open the tool selection. Now once you have the tool selection open, you can use the X (cross), square, or triangle buttons to quickbind a tool, which is nice when you may not want to search for a specific tool and have it ready to go. Now the objects that are available within the tool are limited, but it’s how you use them that your creativity comes into play.
Of course, just placing these tools in an empty space might be ok for some, but the Developer knew you wanted something to help bring out the beat when you are creating. So with the tool that you use, it provides its own sound for you to experiment with. Not only that, but you can select the colors from a color wheel for the objects that you want to use as well as make the shapes different sizes. For example, if you pick the square, you will be given the option for a solid square or one that has a different form, and then based on that form and color, a different sound can be made.
ArtPulse comes with seven different songs with more planned for later on as well. There are some different options to select from. If you want to have your experience be for only three minutes or if you want to be a cinematic one, or even change the background, you have the option to do so which I appreciate.
There are some things that I wish were included. For one, I would love to see different shapes available. Being able to create on what was available had my interest, but I was just wanting more to create with. Second, I do appreciate the music that is provided, but it would be pretty cool if somehow music from my own collection could be incorporated in a way, that if I wanted to have just guitars playing from a song and then being able to change the sound like you can with adjusting the shapes and colors would be a nice touch. The good thing is that more base songs and being able to submit your own music to be included are in development. Third, more backgrounds. While the three that are included give that creative canvas for you to start with, it would be pretty cool to create with additional backgrounds. And last, and I really do hope this one comes true, the ability to experience other’s creations. To see the different creations that people spent time on and to be able to build off of theirs to make it your own as that can really help inspire others.
I did have fun not having to worry about a score or a goal and just creating the beautiful light show of the different shapes, sizes, and colors and try and figure out what sounds they were going to make as I just sit back and watch everything going on. Being able to fly past where I started only to look back and see my creations still moving along and flying through space provided the escape. There are so many ways where ArtPulse can go and it gives me a smile to think about the different possibilities that I can’t wait to see what the developer comes up with some future updates.
ArtPulse is out now for PlayStation VR and is also available on Steam and Viveport. A review code was provided.
To learn more about Mekiwi, please visit their site and make sure you like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, follow them on Instagram, and subscribe to their YouTube channel.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy. Until next time, I going to go escape and be creative.
