Rhythm Games Are Marching To The Beat Of Their Own Drum

by

Unbeatable centers around a teenage band constantly evading and clashing with local authorities. What makes it unique is that, unlike most games with a story, the entire experience unfolds through rhythm-based gameplay – you play through the story by playing the music.

Unbeatable uses a gameplay style similar to Guitar Hero, where notes appear on a fretboard and you press buttons in time with the music. However, instead of multiple buttons, this game only uses two: up and down. While it includes familiar rhythm game elements – like memorizing patterns and reacting to the beat, reminiscent of Rhythm Heaven – what truly sets Unbeatable apart is how it seamlessly blends these moments with what would normally be simple cutscenes, turning them into interactive, musical experiences.

Ten years ago, when games like Rock Band and Guitar Hero were losing popularity, combining rhythm game elements with storytelling would have been a fresh idea. Now, many studios are exploring this combination. After a decade since rhythm games were at their peak, there’s a growing interest in revisiting and reimagining those classic features.

Games like KickBeat, Beat Hazard, and Crypt of the NecroDancer helped start the trend, but some of the most innovative examples came out around 2020. These include Soundfall, a shooter where you move and attack to the rhythm of the music, BPM: Bullets Per Minute, a first-person shooter completely synced to the beat, the dreamlike Everhood, and the action-packed No Straight Roads.

2023’s Hi-Fi Rush really brought a growing trend into the spotlight. This rhythm-based action game from Tango Gameworks was a surprise for several reasons. It was different from their previous, more horror-focused titles like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo. Xbox announced it and released it immediately during a presentation, and crucially, it was a high-quality, full-length rhythm game featuring a fantastic licensed soundtrack – something rarely seen in the genre.

Hi-Fi Rush quickly became a fan favorite, signaling a turning point for modern rhythm games. This momentum continued with the release of Fortnite Festival in late 2023. Developed by the creators of Rock Band, Fortnite Festival offered a more classic rhythm game experience and further fueled the growing popularity of the genre.

Since then, game creators have continued to experiment with combining rhythm-based gameplay with other genres. For example, Ratatan is a rhythm game with roguelike elements, inspired by the popular Patapon series. Similarly, Dead as Disco, a fighting game, builds on the foundation of KickBeat, just as BPM influenced the creation of Metal: Hellsinger. Recently, Annapurna Interactive announced People of Note, an RPG where battles play out as musical performances.

If you’re someone who loves music, you’ll likely be captivated by these blended musical styles. It’s similar to the feeling of hearing a perfect song at just the right moment, but it’s built right into the game, naturally making you want to move to the beat. Music and visuals have always gone hand-in-hand, and a great song can truly make a scene unforgettable. But this new trend in gaming takes it a step further, much like the movie Baby Driver. Instead of just being background music, the music actively drives the action and atmosphere, filling the entire game world and influencing how you play in a fun and engaging way.

It’s likely no accident that interest in rhythm games is growing again, especially with companies like Nintendo revisiting classics and new plastic guitar controllers being made. Ultimately, this revival highlights how important it is to listen to and learn from game developers – just like musicians are inspired by those who came before them – to create fresh takes on familiar genres.

It’s uncertain whether major game companies will invest heavily in large-scale rhythm games, hoping to recreate the popularity of titles like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. However, even if plastic instruments don’t become a common sight again, this new wave of rhythm games is already distinct and evolving in a different direction.

Read More

2026-01-06 22:12