Simon Fredholm and Kwalee have teamed up to bring PS5 gamers an adrenaline-pumping experience with ROBOBEAT, a roguelike rhythm shooter that’s all about keeping pace with the beat. Let’s dive into what makes this fast-paced musical shooter stand out!
In ROBOBEAT, you step into the shoes of Ace, a top-notch bounty hunter on a mission to catch the flamboyant robot showman, Frazzer. To achieve this, you’ll navigate his bizarre techno-playground, all while moving and shooting to an electrifying soundtrack. Staying still isn’t an option—your survival hinges on constant motion! With each procedurally generated level, you must tweak your tactics to advance. And the best part? You get to choose tunes that resonate with your gameplay style, making every session a rhythmic joyride.
Having previously reviewed rhythm-based FPS games like Metal: Hellsinger on PS5 and BPM: Bullets Per Minute on the Switch, I was intrigued to see how ROBOBEAT stacks up. Interestingly, this game throws a wink at BPM: Bullets Per Minute by incorporating some of its music along with tracks from DUSK and ULTRAKILL.
Getting into the groove with ROBOBEAT is straightforward. You control Ace using the left stick, while the right stick is for aiming. A swift dash awaits with a press on the left stick, and jumping is as smooth as pressing the X button. A bit more daring? Press X mid-air to double jump or slam down with the right stick. In combat, synchronize your shots with the left and right weapons using L2 and R2, respectively, and unleash combos on time with the beat. Parry and reload with the Square and Triangle buttons, while special abilities are just an R1 press away.
A varied arsenal is at your disposal to deal with anyone daring to block you. The agile Revolver allows quick attacks, striking critical hits with headshots after a beat-long cooldown. Or perhaps the Flux is more your style, a balanced shotgun that delivers powerful close-range strikes with a two-beat recharge. The Contact weapon adds a tactical twist by passively injuring a nearby foe with each strike. For a fun twist, the Ping Pong gun detonates every third shot, all with only a one-beat cooldown!
As you clear stages and vanquish enemies, you’ll amass Blips, the in-game currency. Use them creatively to buy weapons, upgrades, and unlock new rooms like the shop for beefing up your loadout, the data-chip room for bonuses, parkour challenges for testing agility, and target rush for a frantic aim workout. But before enjoying these rooms, gather their blueprints and return them to the workbench for crafting!
Trophy collectors will be pleased with ROBOBEAT’s comprehensive list offering a Platinum trophy. It breaks down into 24 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 5 Gold trophies, each with its own challenge. Whether it’s entering new zones, grabbing keys, or tackling unique rooms, there’s plenty to keep you engaged. Achievements include bosses defeated, precision in combat, a staggering coin collection, record beat combos, and strategic parries. For detailed guidance, consider exploring a ROBOBEAT Trophy Guide.
In ROBOBEAT, you’ll feel the pulse of the music as you embark on Ace’s quest to outmaneuver Frazzer in his surreal world. Its catchy soundtrack features 38 tracks with bonus music from rhythmic classics BPM: Bullets Per Minute, DUSK, and ULTRAKILL. Set to launch on PlayStation 5 at $19.99, it’s a treat for rhythm game lovers itching for a new adventure.
Can you capture the dazzling antics of Frazzer? Dive in and find out!
_This review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Kwalee._
