Cipher Prime is a developer that has become synonymous with artistic rhythm/puzzle games… and good ones, too. With their newest venture made specifically for the iPad, some may feel as though they’re abandoning their traditional ground for the trendy. But to think so is to undermine the true achievement Cipher Prime has pulled off. Pulse pumps rhythm in a slightly different way, and it’s important not to overlook its positive elements.

The game takes the shape of the rhythm genre, with little that’s puzzling about its core gameplay mechanics but a ton of depth behind the scenes.  You’re most likely going to be screen-tapping like a maniac — and hey, if that’s not your thing, you probably won’t dig this game. But when I put on my headphones and engulfed myself for a good hour, attempting to perfect my score on three of the game’s eight launch tracks, I was impressed not only by its presentation but also Cipher Prime’s ability to weave intricate melodies into on-screen patterns. It ultimately feels very zen. This is one of those games that is just simple fun, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Pulse can certainly be construed as art — which, of course, it absolutely is — but for those who don’t know much about its underlying schematic will see it as a pretty rhythm game to oogle over on the iPad.

At the core of Pulse is, surely enough, pulse itself. Throughout each track, players will tap at notes as dictated by the beat (or pulse) of the center in varying numbers of concentric circles. As the pulse expands into each circle, gamers are expected to time their fingers perfectly. The earlier levels, namely the “Tutorial” and “Straylight” will keep it rather simple with a small number of circles. As the tracks progress, their difficulty will increase. Notes begin orbiting the circles and — thanks to the iPad screen real estate — there’ll be lots to keep track of. What’s really cool about Pulse is the technology behind each track, as the musical properties of each song have meaning in how gameplay flows.

Given that its mechanics aren’t all that complicated, what will likely have gamers talking are the title’s glowing color schemes through each track. You’ll notice that when notes are tapped at the correct time, a small explosion will create waves of a specific entity or object — often related to the song’s theme (at least, depending on your interpretation of the music). For instance, “Low Tide” employs a blue color schematic and when notes are tapped in sync with the music, what looks like sting-rays (or fish of some sort) are released onto the screen; “Porcelain Doll” mixes shades of blue and purple along with butterflies. It’s not the most important part of the experience, but it’s nice to have something else to look at besides concentric circles and pulsating notes.

It’s admirable that Cipher Prime managed to create some splendid melodies for Pulse. More impressive still is that they’ll be working in conjunction with a number of indie artists to expand the library of music in the game. These first eight tracks —  ”Tutorial,” “Straylight,” “Low Tide,” “Sakura,” “Porcelain Doll,” “Let’s Roll,” “Cinder,” and “Cirrus” all written by the studio’s own Dain Saint and Kerry Gilbert — are considered the first volume in the series. There may be some who will feel let down by the limited number of tracks at launch, but the purchase is ultimately worth its asking price because of the melodic and melancholy groove of the music and the challenging feat of achieving 100% across all songs. Furthermore, new content updates will come at no charge as this is Cipher Prime’s first self-published title. So, really, what can you complain about in terms of content?

If you’ve got an iPad, then there should be no question about Pulse: it’s pretty to look at, it’s enjoyably difficult, and it’s easy to show off. Especially for fans of rhythm games and Cipher Prime’s previous work, Pulse is a must own. As a side note, if you’re expecting a release on the iPhone/iPod Touch, don’t hold your breath. It’s apparent that the game will not allow it to be fully utilized on a smaller screen. We at DIYGamer will keep an eye out for any new developments or new content released for Pulse, but you should have no qualms about celebrating Cinco de Mayo with this purchase.

You can visit the Cipher Prime homepage for any more details. Pulse: Volume One is available here.