Simon Fredholm and Kwalee’s ROBOBEAT is stepping into the spotlight on the PlayStation 5 with its exhilarating combination of roguelike chaos and rhythm-driven shooting action. As a gamer with a penchant for innovative experiences, I jumped at the opportunity to review ROBOBEAT, and let me tell you, it’s not just about surviving; it’s about doing so with style.
In ROBOBEAT, you don the guise of Ace, a bounty hunter with a reputation, hot on the heels of the quirky robot-showman, Frazzer. His techno-themed domain is filled with vibrant beats that you must dance to while taking down adversaries. The catch? Every move you make—from shooting to navigating—must be in sync with the pulsating soundtrack. Expect to be constantly on your toes as procedurally generated levels keep you adapting and strategizing on the fly. And don’t forget to select a tune that matches your vibe; it’s a game of rhythm as much as it is of reflexes.
I’ve delved into other rhythm-based first-person shooters, notably Metal: Hellsinger on PlayStation 5 and BPM: Bullets Per Minute on Nintendo Switch. ROBOBEAT, on the other hand, brings its unique flair to Sony’s console, including crossover music tracks from BPM, DUSK, and ULTRAKILL, ensuring a familiar beat amidst new challenges.
As you gear up to play, you’ll navigate with the left stick and aim with the right. Need to dash? Just press in on the left stick. The X button allows for jumps and double jumps, and a slide is just a Circle button away. Ground slamming? Right stick press while airborne. Shooting in this rhythm game is a dual function: L2 for the left weapon and R2 for the right, all in beat to rack up combos. Parrying with Square and charging weapons with Triangle become essential moves in your arsenal, alongside utilities accessed via R1.
Now, about those weapons—oh, they’re quite the lineup! The trusty Revolver offers rapid ticks, hitting critical damage on headshots with minimal cooldown. The Flux shotgun is perfect for close-quarter damage, balanced with its two-beat cooldown. The Contact adds an interesting twist, damaging both your target and nearby enemies, ready again in a beat. And the whimsical Ping Pong? Expect explosive surprises every third shot!
Progressing through ROBOBEAT’s levels yields Blips, the currency to expand your arsenal and unlock new rooms in subsequent runs. These can purchase weapons, upgrades, or grant access to specific room types like the shop, data-chip, parkour challenge, and target rush. However, collecting the necessary blueprints before unlocking these features is a must.
Achievement hunters will be pleased to know that ROBOBEAT comes packed with a full trophy list, including a coveted Platinum. The path to glory involves exploring various game areas, collecting keys, accessing different room types, vanquishing foes and bosses, executing prowess-filled combos, and much more. Plus, if you’re aiming for comprehensive completion, there’s a ROBOBEAT Trophy Guide to help navigate your way.
Ready yourself for the rhythm-driven intensity of ROBOBEAT, leading Ace through Frazzer’s unconventional cybernetic playground. With 38 tracks and special bonus cassettes ushering in tunes from BPM: Bullets Per Minute, DUSK, and ULTRAKILL, there’s music waiting to match your combat style. Bleeding beats with a sprinkle of strategy, ROBOBEAT is set to launch tomorrow on PlayStation 5 at $19.99.
This review of ROBOBEAT is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Kwalee. As it hits the shelves, prepare to tap into a world where rhythm meets roguelike in a symphony of strategic combat.
