Rift of the NecroDancer review

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Rhythm games, in various forms, sparked my passion within the genre, and my initial foray was with Guitar Hero. As a kid with pocket change from my paper route, I found myself irresistibly drawn to that plastic guitar. For years, I strived to attain godhood in rock through numerous installments of this series, and countless other fans joined me on this quest. NecroDancer’s Rift transports me back to those idyllic days of strumming, offering a rhythm game that may seem easy at first glance but can quickly prove challenging, much like the original.

In contrast to its emphasis on synchronizing button presses with rhythm for high scores, Rift of the NecroDancer offers a story mode as well. Our protagonist Cadence is pulled into another realm via a portal, and the only way to survive is by using music to vanquish the monsters inhabiting this place. Other characters from Cadence’s past or previous opponents also find themselves trapped here. Collaborating with these characters is essential for escaping back to reality. The story mode serves as an introduction to the game, allowing players to play songs in a logical sequence, and while it may not have a deeply moving narrative, the charming story scenes ensure they never feel disruptive.

As a gamer, diving into Rift of the NecroDancer feels like slipping on a pair of worn-in dancing shoes. The user interface is intuitive and reminiscent of any rhythm game I’ve tried, with a line at the bottom acting as my dance floor and notes cascading down from above that I must tap in sync to reach the line. The pulsating beats add an extra layer of immersion, transporting me into a state where only the rhythm matters.

In contrast to traditional rhythm games, Rift of the NecroDancer features enemies instead of notes. Each enemy type has unique rules for hitting them accurately, ranging from basic green slimes that only require a button press, to skeletons that retreat once hit, losing their heads and running backward until stopped by another note. This innovative twist significantly alters the gameplay experience, as it demands strategic thinking in addition to rhythmic sensitivity.

As you advance through the levels, the types of opponents become increasingly unpredictable. For instance, some bats switch lanes when struck, while giant skulls summon skeletons in different directions upon being hit. It may require some time and guidance (tutorials) to adapt to these diverse adversaries, but I must say that it brings an extra depth to what is typically a simpler rhythm-based game setup, which I found quite enjoyable.

As a hardcore gamer immersed in Rift of NecroDancer, I can’t stress enough that most of your time will be spent navigating through increasingly rapid and challenging songs. If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself biting the dust a few times on the tougher tracks. Each song starts with you sporting a healthy ten HP. A missed note translates to one less hit point in your arsenal. To keep yourself alive, there are food-like notes scattered across the lanes that can heal you, and you can also fill up a power meter which grants you a mode where you take no damage and your multiplier is doubled – super handy when tackling tricky song sections. Mastering every survival tactic at your disposal becomes crucial as this game loves to throw traps and obstacles your way, especially for those who stubbornly refuse to back down from the medium difficulty level like me.

Beyond the typical levels, Rift of NecroDancer frequently introduces mini-games and boss battles during the narrative. The mini-games are enjoyable, resembling the quirky rhythmic challenges found in games like Rhythm Heaven. In contrast, the boss fights aren’t as captivating; they replace the standard note line and enemies with circular notes that can be tricky to follow. Fortunately, there are only a few of these battles, as they fall short compared to the rest of the game’s offerings.

It’s noteworthy to highlight the extensive collection of content found within Rift of the NecroDancer. The game offers a vast number of songs to explore and conquer, each with four different levels of difficulty. Mastering this game could require countless hours, but the fun doesn’t stop there! With Steam Workshop support, you can also download custom songs to add variety to your gaming experience. Even before its official release, I managed to get a Billy Hatcher tune and an Undertale song. As more time passes, it seems the selection of available tracks is only set to expand dramatically in the coming months.

A rhythm game wouldn’t be fun to play, even if it was perfectly crafted, without great music. Luckily, that’s not an issue in this case, as it boasts a diverse roster of artists, led by Danny Baranowsky, who has composed for games like Super Meat Boy, The Binding of Isaac, and Crypt of the NecroDancer. These tracks are both numerous and delightful to play along with. In terms of soundtracks, it’s hard to find one better than this.

I thoroughly enjoyed playing this exceptional rhythm game, yet I encountered several challenges. The primary issue lies in its difficulty level, especially when dealing with offbeat enemies which caused me considerable trouble. Unfortunately, the controls, particularly when using a controller, do not seem to be optimized for smooth gameplay and appear designed mainly for keyboard inputs. You can use either the top three directions of the D-pad or the top three face buttons to hit notes, but simultaneously pressing multiple notes is somewhat awkward, leading me to utilize both sides at once. It took some time for me to adapt to this style of play, and while I couldn’t think of a more refined solution besides using a Guitar Hero controller, it did slightly diminish the initial experience of the game.

The NecroDancer’s Rift offers an engrossing experience for rhythm game enthusiasts, boasting intelligent mechanics and above all, a stunning soundtrack that keeps you hooked. Mastering the various enemies in the game can be challenging, but once you do, you’ll find yourself immersed in rhythm nirvana, unwilling to step away.

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2025-01-29 20:16