ROBOBEAT, developed by Simon Fredholm and published by Kwalee, brings adrenaline-pumping action to PlayStation 5 with its unique blend of roguelike rhythm-infused shooting. Join me as I dive into this intriguing game where the pace never slows down!
In this high-octane adventure, you step into the shoes of Ace, a famed bounty hunter on a mission to catch the flamboyant robot performer, Frazzer. Navigating through Frazzer’s eccentric technicolor domain, you’ll be grooving and gunning in sync with the pumping soundtrack. Staying stationary isn’t an option, as survival means always being on the move! The game challenges you with procedurally generated levels, so developing adaptive strategies is key. And don’t forget to choose a track that complements your rhythm to make the ride even more enjoyable!
I’ve explored my fair share of rhythm-based shooters, such as Metal: Hellsinger on the PS5 and BPM: Bullets Per Minute on the Switch, so I was eager to see how ROBOBEAT measures up on PlayStation’s latest console. Interesting to note, ROBOBEAT collaborates with BPM: Bullets Per Minute, offering bonus tracks from that game, alongside tunes from DUSK and ULTRAKILL.
Control in ROBOBEAT is straight forward. The left analog stick moves your character, while the right stick is for aiming. You can dash with a press on the left stick, and use the X button for jumps and double jumps, with Circle to slide into action. During combat, your left weapon fires with L2 and the right with R2, aligning your shots with the rhythm to drive up those combo scores! You can also parry using Square, charge weapons by pressing Triangle, and deploy utilities in your loadout with R1.
Let’s talk firepower. From the swift Revolver with its one-beat cooldown and critical headshot potential, to the balanced close-range powerhouse Flux shotgun, each weapon brings a unique beat to match. The Contact adds a strategic twist by damaging nearby foes alongside its main target. Or, try out the Ping Pong for explosive sequences where every third shot detonates, only needing one beat’s respite.
As you progress, you’ll collect Blips – your currency for snagging weapons, upgrades, and unlocking fresh room types for future runs. Whether it’s adding to your arsenal in the shop room, boosting your stats with data-chip room cards, testing your skills in the parkour room, or racing the clock in target rush rooms, each blueprint you find expands your options and pushes you further into the game.
Chasing trophies? ROBOBEAT offers a Platinum trophy, along with a host of Bronze, Silver, and Gold to earn. Achievements reward reaching new areas, gathering keys, unlocking special rooms, defeating bosses, and executing swift feats like completing a target rush in under a second, or meeting a 100-beat combo. For those looking for guidance, a ROBOBEAT Trophy Guide can lend a helping hand.
ROBOBEAT invites you into its frenetic world where the beat drives the action. Packed with 38 original tracks and guest tracks from BPM: Bullets Per Minute, DUSK, and ULTRAKILL, this game offers a relentless thrill ride. Mark your calendars for its launch tomorrow on PlayStation 5, all for $19.99.
Can you outpace Frazzer in his own chaotic show? Let the rhythm guide your journey in this innovative shooter.
Note: This review was crafted from experiences on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Kwalee.
