Simon Fredholm and Kwalee bring us ROBOBEAT, a high-energy roguelike rhythm shooter, now rocking its way onto the PlayStation 5. If you’ve been curious about this vibrant title, you’ll want to stick around for our in-depth review of ROBOBEAT!
Step into the shoes of the renowned bounty hunter Ace as you dive into the chaotic world designed by none other than the eccentric robot showman, Frazzer. Get ready for a unique blend of fast-paced shooting action and rhythmic challenges as you navigate through his bizarre techno-playground. Standing still is not an option here if you want to stay alive! With its ever-changing procedurally generated levels, ROBOBEAT demands that you stay on your toes and adjust your tactics on the fly. And don’t forget to choose a soundtrack that syncs with your playstyle. This will help you groove through Frazzer’s domain while unleashing chaos to the beat.
My previous adventures with rhythm-based FPS games like Metal: Hellsinger and BPM: Bullets Per Minute had me eager to see what ROBOBEAT would bring to the table on the PS5. This game cleverly borrows from some of the best by including crossover tracks from BPM: Bullets Per Minute, as well as DUSK and ULTRAKILL, within its lively soundtrack.
Once you’re ready to plunge into action, control Ace with the left stick and adjust your view with the right. Dashing around is as simple as pressing in the left stick, while the X button helps you leap and double leap. The Circle button comes in handy for sliding into action. If you need to slam down for an impactful landing, press the right stick while in mid-air. Combat sequences require you to utilize both triggers: L2 for the left weapon and R2 for the right. Time your shots with the beat to boost your combo score! Don’t forget, the Square button lets you parry, while Triangle charges your arsenal. Your loadout utilities are ready at the tap of R1.
In ROBOBEAT, you’ll wield an array of weapons to take down anyone foolish enough to block your path to Frazzer. The Revolver offers quick attacks, with an added bonus of critical hits on headshots, marking its utility as indispensable. The shotgun, dubbed the Flux, packs a punch at close range but holds a two-beat cooldown. Or perhaps the Contact suits your style, dealing substantial damage to a target and causing splash damage to nearby foes—all with a single beat cooldown. If you’re feeling adventurous, give the Ping Pong gun a shot. With every third bullet triggering an explosive burst, it’s got just a one-beat cooldown!
As you cut through enemies and clear rooms, you’ll gather Blips, your currency to snag new weapons, upgrades, and even unlock fresh rooms for future excursions. Explore rooms like the shop, where your Blips fuel your growing arsenal. Data-chip rooms await with cards to boost your performance, while the parkour and target rush rooms challenge your agility and aim. However, before making new discoveries, you must first obtain the blueprints for these benefits and take them back for crafting.
The game boasts a complete trophy list, complete with a Platinum up for grabs. It includes 24 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 5 Gold trophies. Entrants to new zones, key collectors, and achievers in rooms like the shop or target rush will find themselves trophy-bedecked. Boss battles await, with trophies tied to speed runs, exemplary eliminations, impressive parries, and more. Should you find yourself in need of guidance, a handy ROBOBEAT Trophy Guide might just aid in your conquest.
ROBOBEAT shines as a frantic mix of roguelike and rhythm shooter gameplay, challenging you to keep up with its pulse-pounding pace. Hunt down Frazzer, blast enemies while moving to the beat, and explore its evolving levels. With an option to choose from 38 distinct tracks, along with exclusive bonus songs from other acclaimed games, there’s no shortage of rhythmic inspiration. Launching tomorrow on the PlayStation 5, ROBOBEAT arrives with a $19.99 price stamp.
Can you capture the eccentric robot showman Frazzer?
Disclaimer: A PlayStation 5 copy of ROBOBEAT was provided by Kwalee for this review.
