Rhythm Games Are Finding Their Unique Groove
Unbeatable kicks off with a straightforward yet captivating concept: a group of teens in a band, evading local authorities and engaging in battles. The unique twist? Instead of following a conventional narrative, the game revolves around rhythm-based mechanics. Dream sequences and combat scenarios are all driven by a gameplay style reminiscent of classic rhythm games, where players hit prompts in sync with the music using just two buttons: up and down. While there are traditional gameplay elements—like minigames that require memorizing movement patterns and responding to varying tempos, similar to Rhythm Heaven—it’s the seamless integration of these mechanics into what would typically be cutscenes that sets Unbeatable apart.
A decade ago, during the decline of the home rhythm game era marked by the final releases of Rock Band and Guitar Hero, the idea of merging rhythm mechanics with narrative adventures would have felt fresh. Yet, Unbeatable is just one of many titles exploring this blend; numerous developers have been experimenting with the fusion of music games and other genres. Now, ten years after the peak of rhythm games, there’s a renewed appreciation for these elements. Titles like KickBeat, Beat Hazard, and Crypt of the NecroDancer were among the early innovators in this space. However, some of the most daring examples emerged closer to 2020, such as Soundfall, a twin-stick shooter with rhythm mechanics, BPM: Bullets Per Minute, where every action syncs to the beat, the Yume Nikki-inspired Everhood, and the hack-and-slash adventure No Straight Roads.
But it was 2023’s Hi-Fi Rush that truly brought this movement into the spotlight. Developed by Tango Gameworks, this rhythm-based character action game was a surprising shift from the studio’s previous titles like The Evil Within and Ghostwire: Tokyo. It was announced and immediately released during a presentation by Xbox, making waves for its unexpected launch. Most notably, it stood out as a rhythm game with triple-A production values, featuring an extensive campaign and an impressive licensed soundtrack. The success of Hi-Fi Rush and its dedicated fanbase marked a significant moment for this new wave of rhythm games, further bolstered by the launch of Fortnite Festival at the end of 2023, a more traditional rhythm game from the creators of Rock Band that helped fuel interest in the genre’s revival.
Since then, developers have continued to showcase innovative blends of rhythm and other genres. Ratatan emerged as a rhythm roguelike side-scroller, serving as a spiritual successor to Patapon. The brawler Dead as Disco, reminiscent of Sifu, appears to be a natural evolution of KickBeat, just as BPM paved the way for Metal: Hellsinger. Recently, Annapurna announced People of Note, a turn-based RPG where each combat encounter unfolds as a musical performance. For those who live and breathe music, the allure of these genre mashups is undeniable. It’s the thrill of a perfect needle drop, inviting players to keep the beat with a foot tap or a head nod as the action unfolds.
Music naturally complements visual media—scenes can become unforgettable with the right soundtrack. This new trend in gaming mirrors films like Baby Driver, where music transforms from mere background noise to an active participant in the narrative, enriching every moment and setting the pace in a playful manner. It’s no coincidence that this resurgence coincides with the return of plastic guitar controllers and publishers revisiting classic rhythm games, like Nintendo’s Rhythm Heaven Groove. At its core, this movement emphasizes the importance of listening to developers who inspire one another, much like musicians drawing from their predecessors to reinvent genres. Whether more AAA studios will invest in large-scale rhythm game productions to recapture the glory days of Guitar Hero and Rock Band remains to be seen. Regardless of how many plastic guitars find their way back into living rooms, this new era of rhythm games is already striking a different chord.
