Who knew that music could actually be an interesting component when it came to first-person shooters? And it don’t just mean a thundering soundtrack to something like Doom Eternal (good ol’ Mick Gordon!). I mean actually incorporating music into the gameplay to create something new.
Metal Hellsinger did this a couple of years ago, giving players the option to enjoy pounding demons into pudding with the help of a heavy metal soundtrack. It still rocks today.
Now we have Robobeat, the work of the savvy Simon Fredholm. It puts you in the shoes of a bounty hunter as he makes his way through a virtual realm, in an effort to stop the dastardly Frazzer. But it’s how you do it that’s the catch, as the game features sound options from the heavens, along with rhythmic gameplay that fits perfectly with everything.
The end result is a game that sits proudly alongside Metal Hellsinger, just waiting for more people to appreciate this newfound genre. And appreciate it, you should.
Shoot To the Rhythm!
The general gameplay for Robobeat consists of shooting along to the beat. But it does so quite well, as the songs included here are real bangers. Not to mention that the timing system is more than fair, and takes just a few seconds to adjust to.
While controls are a bit on the “quick” side (you have to get used to the more rapid movement of your character), they still work fundamentally well when it comes to aiming and shooting. What’s more, you can expand upon your experience with new weapons, including crazy additions like the most destructive ping-pong paddle you’ve ever seen.
Not only that, but you have cassettes that can expand which songs you play along with as well, along with multiple paths. This can change the course of your gameplay each time you go through, changing the experience for the even better. Throw in multiple paths, new challenging enemies and some interesting gameplay perks (wall-running really opens things up), and you’ve got a game that keeps changing for the better.
But it keeps its core tactics in place, and that’s what makes Robobeat work so surprisingly well. It doesn’t shy away from its mantra – keep the robot-blasting party going.
Remember Cassettes?
To go along with its exciting and evolving gameplay, Robobeat also serves up players a festival-themed presentation.
The visuals are non-stop, with a smooth frame rate (a real surprise considering, again, this is a one-personproject) and neat little enemy designs. The explosions are also fun to watch, virtual crescendos that are the best we’ve seen since the old days of Tron. And the levels, while a bit similar with virtual settings, offer a lot of space to look and run around. There’s no shortage of ground to cover here.
However, the music’s the thing. As you go through Robobeat’s massive world, you’ll unlock new cassettes that provide a twist not only to the gameplay, but the aural senses. You’ll love hearing each track that becomes available.
And what’s more, you can actually customize both the tapes and the loop that plays. So if you’re a real technical type, you have the option of putting together a few key touches on your own soundtrack. It’s a wonderful idea, and one that will pay off for those that jump in.
In short, the visuals and audio really step up their game here. And, again, from one man. That’s insane.
Hey Kid, Rock and Roll, Robots!
While Metal Hellsinger remains epic in its own right (seriously, we’re still listening to its soundtrack), Robobeatis just as good in its own way. The music is absolutely jamming, and the ability to tweak it to your liking is a beautiful touch; the visuals are a thrill in their own right; and the gameplay really keeps you on your toes, while opening up new options to explore.
If you’re a fan of the first-person shooter genre, this is a must. If you’re a fan of the music genre, this is a must. And if you like them both and were hoping to see another example of how they seamlessly mix together, this is a must.
GAMERHUB RATING: 4.5 (out of 5)
Thanks to Kwalee and Simon Fredholm for the review code!
