Beat Saber

Beat Saber is an awesome VR game that should be in everyone's collection. However, a fairly limited official song collection keeps it from being as good as it possibly can be.

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"Beat Saber" is a virtual reality rhythm game that immerses players in a futuristic world with handcrafted levels and pulsing music. Players use sabers to slash beats as they fly toward them, with each beat indicating which saber to use and the direction to match. The game offers both single-player and multi-player options, allowing players to become dancing superheroes in their own rhythmic journey.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 103,070 reviews

music6,932 positive mentions

grinding108 negative mentions

music
26,105 mentions
27 % positive mentions
69 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The music aspect of Beat Saber has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the energetic and immersive soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. However, a significant number of users express dissatisfaction with the limited selection of base game songs, which often lean towards electronic and dubstep genres, and the high cost of additional music packs. The modding community is highlighted as a crucial element, allowing players to access a vast library of custom songs, which greatly enhances replayability and enjoyment. Overall, while the official music offerings may not cater to all tastes, the ability to mod the game and add personal favorites is seen as essential for a fulfilling experience.
- “This game is a combination of some of my favorite features: electronic music, crazy neon lights, weapons, customizable characters, possible violence, and it's rhythm-based and all in VR!”
- “If you want some good ol' fashioned mental and physical torture while enjoying some of the best music you've ever heard in a video game while lights surround you, then this is the game for you.”
- “The game's diverse song library caters to a wide range of musical tastes, ensuring there's something for everyone to enjoy.”
- “The only thing that disappoints me a little is the available music tracks; there should be more included in the basic game, and despite a big selection of songs to purchase, I don't like most of them.”
- “The music packs are alright if you like the featured artists, but you can likely find the same songs made by the community with better mapping.”
- “The base game soundtrack is lacking, and the cost of official music packs is way high, so you're probably gonna have to turn to mods + beatmaps.”
gameplay
2,703 mentions
41 % positive mentions
56 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The gameplay of Beat Saber is widely praised for its intuitive mechanics and addictive nature, allowing players to easily pick up the game while offering a high skill ceiling for mastery. Many reviews highlight the engaging rhythm-based slicing of blocks with lightsabers, which is complemented by a vibrant soundtrack and immersive visuals. However, some players express concerns about the limited base song selection and the need for mods to enhance the experience, as well as frustrations with updates that disrupt gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game is considered a must-have for VR enthusiasts, providing a fun and physically engaging experience.
- “The core gameplay is simple yet incredibly addictive: slash through blocks to the beat of the music using your VR controllers as sabers.”
- “With its intuitive mechanics and infectious beats, it's an experience that's easy to pick up but incredibly hard to put down.”
- “The gameplay is intuitive yet exhilarating, as I sliced through blocks to the rhythm of catchy tunes.”
- “The base game, while an excellent demonstration of the concept and mechanics, doesn't offer enough variety to sustain long-term engagement for many players.”
- “"Beat Saber" by Beat Games burst onto the virtual reality scene with promises of revolutionizing rhythm gaming, but beneath its flashy exterior lies a disappointing experience plagued by repetitive gameplay, lackluster content, and missed opportunities.”
- “At its core, Beat Saber offers little more than a shallow and repetitive gameplay loop that quickly grows tiresome.”
story
1,686 mentions
12 % positive mentions
78 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
The consensus among users is that "Beat Saber" lacks a traditional narrative or story, focusing instead on gameplay mechanics and rhythm challenges. While there are campaign missions that provide objectives, they are often seen as gimmicky and do not contribute to a cohesive story experience. Overall, players emphasize the game's fun and addictive nature, particularly when enhanced with mods and custom songs, rather than any narrative depth.
- “The story mode in Beat Saber is essentially a series of levels with specific attributes, such as using only one lightsaber or facing instant death upon a mistake.”
- “The game recently got a campaign mode with 51 missions, it's fun, and the objectives are varied, but due to not having too much official songs, the campaign becomes a repetition of songs after you pass level ~20.”
- “As easy or as hard as you want it to be, challenging story mode that is a great training tool, keeps you coming back again and again.”
- “☑ no story”
- “There isn't any story or characters or any real goal besides getting a better score or completing more challenging songs.”
- “The campaign just utterly sucks, I would not even call it 'campaign' just straight up missions with objectives, you need to complete some songs by almost not moving your arms, or some of them by moving your arms to the point you risk smashing your controllers into a wall, that's how I broke one of my controllers and had to get RMA.”
graphics
1,350 mentions
47 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics in Beat Saber are widely praised for their vibrant, neon aesthetic that enhances the immersive experience of the game. Many players appreciate the simplicity and clarity of the visuals, which effectively complement the fast-paced gameplay and music synchronization. While some users note that the graphics can be basic, they still contribute to an engaging and enjoyable VR experience, especially when enhanced by modding capabilities.
- “The graphics are impressive, creating an immersive environment perfectly synchronized with the music.”
- “The graphics in Beat Saber are stunning, with a vibrant and colorful art style that perfectly matches the game's fast-paced gameplay.”
- “The graphics are stunning and the overall immersion of the game is top-notch.”
- “The graphics are mediocre and a lot of it looks unpolished and just downright old, the gameplay is okay enough for sniper elite fans to enjoy, but it loses its charm very quickly.”
- “The visuals are subpar, explosions particularly look awful.”
- “Graphics have been made bland, hitting a note now sounds like tearing paper instead of a satisfying beat, the hit registration is completely messed up, and several of the expert+ beat maps aren't properly synced to the music.”
replayability
976 mentions
54 % positive mentions
45 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The replayability of Beat Saber is widely regarded as exceptional, with many users highlighting its infinite replay value, particularly when utilizing mods and custom songs from a vibrant community. While the base game offers a solid experience, the addition of user-generated content significantly enhances its longevity, making it a must-have for VR enthusiasts. Overall, players find themselves returning to the game frequently, drawn by the endless challenges and variety it provides.
- “Easy to learn, hard to master, endlessly replayable with mods and custom songs made by one of the most active communities I've ever seen in gaming.”
- “The replay value of Beat Saber is practically infinite, especially with the addition of mods.”
- “This game is ridiculously fun, has endless replayability with custom levels and mods, and is great exercise.”
- “Despite its lofty ambitions, Beat Saber falls short in terms of content, offering a paltry selection of songs and levels that quickly exhausts its replay value.”
- “Base game's content is decent but there isn't much, so the only way to get more replayability from this game is either purchase the additional music pack DLCs and/or mod.”
- “My only problem with this game is after a while it loses replayability because it comes with a set amount of songs unless you buy more.”
humor
452 mentions
98 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a standout feature, with players frequently describing it as "funny" and "hilarious," particularly when playing with friends or family. Many reviews highlight the comedic aspect of flailing around in VR, the absurdity of the gameplay, and the enjoyment derived from custom songs and silly mods, making it a source of laughter and entertainment. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to create a lighthearted and amusing experience, often leading to memorable moments and shared laughter among players.
- “Feeling my mind melt away seeing beautiful modcharts, laughing my ass off playing meme maps, or even breaking my wrists playing a speed or challenge map.”
- “I could not stop myself at laughing in joy while playing my favorite levels redone in 90 degree fashion yet still nailing those box combos and feeling utterly badass.”
- “An intuitive interface, a straightforward gameplay system, and of course heart-pumping music, Beat Saber is easy to get started and even easier to spend an hour laughing at how silly all your friends look flailing around their arms all goofy like.”
- “With this essence gone, all that's left are generic and quite unfunny to play songs.”
- “I like downloading cringey anime openings and hitting the funny notes.”
- “Funny bugs.”
optimization
412 mentions
33 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
12 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed feedback from users. While some players report smooth performance and excellent optimization, particularly on mid-range hardware, others have experienced significant stuttering, frame drops, and performance issues, especially following updates. Overall, the game's performance can vary widely depending on hardware and updates, with many users recommending the use of mods to enhance the experience, albeit with caution regarding potential performance impacts.
- “The game runs wonderfully with smooth performance and no noticeable lag or glitches.”
- “This game is incredibly well optimized, has a great modding community and provides never-ending fun.”
- “Overall excellent optimization and I would guess that this game would run quite well on lower hardware while still retaining solid graphical fidelity in gameplay.”
- “Game performance has gone massively downhill over the past few years to the point where I can't even play the game anymore; it runs at around 5fps most of the time when I launch it even on a fresh install.”
- “The latest update even made the performance of the game far worse, locking the game up for a few seconds when loading a stage.”
- “The recent patch messed up the game's performance and now it's just a stuttery, laggy mess.”
grinding
296 mentions
1 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
36 % negative mentions
The reviews overwhelmingly indicate that grinding in the game is a significant and often tedious aspect, with many players feeling it requires an excessive time commitment, likening it to needing "a second life." While some find enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment in the grinding process, especially at higher difficulty levels, others criticize it as repetitive and exhausting, particularly when trying to master expert songs or complete community levels. Overall, the experience of grinding varies widely among players, with some appreciating the challenge and others finding it frustrating.
- “You'll need a second life for all the grinding you'll be doing.”
- “Average single-player RPG levels of grinding.”
- “A lot of grinding just for the sake of developers padding run time.”
- “Looking at it as a casual player, this game is very satisfying and amazing, but if you look at it as an experienced player, the game becomes garbage and boring when you get into expert+ song grinding.”
- “However, many user-mapped songs only have expert, which - in most cases - I find impossible without grinding the same song and memorizing the sections.”
- “More often than not, the amount of enjoyment I get from a game fades as the difficulty progresses to the point where you're just grinding away trying to be good enough to pass a level.”
stability
174 mentions
24 % positive mentions
2 % neutral mentions
74 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent freezes and bugs, particularly after recent updates. While some users experience smooth performance and minimal issues, others find the game increasingly unstable, especially when using mods or on certain hardware configurations. Overall, the game's stability appears to vary significantly based on individual setups and recent patches, leading to a frustrating experience for many players.
- “No glitches, no errors after 1 year of ownership. I can tell you that the $33 is worth it!”
- “It's not buggy; the tracking and accuracy of the hitboxes and controllers are almost always on point, regardless of whether you're using a PSVR, a Rift S, or a Vive. It's so polished and somehow runs really well on older computers despite being a graphically demanding VR game.”
- “Also very stable, no glitches so far.”
- “Sure, it's a fun and amazing game, but the new update made it so that it freezes every couple of seconds now.”
- “Recent updates basically completely broke the game - mods were unusable for almost a month, and even the base game is now nonfunctional - incredibly laggy, constant freezes, and it no longer runs through SteamVR, so I can't even recenter myself quickly (a crucial part of Beat Saber).”
- “Almost half of my playtime on this game has been troubleshooting, sorting through things that are actually fun to play, or just resetting over and over due to the astronomical amount of bugs this game has.”
monetization
128 mentions
2 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
64 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of Beat Saber has drawn significant criticism from users, who describe it as a blatant cash grab characterized by excessive microtransactions and overpriced DLCs. Many players express disappointment over the limited base content and the shift away from supporting modding, which previously enhanced the game's longevity. Overall, while the game itself is praised, the monetization practices are seen as predatory and detrimental to the community.
- “There are a few songs which you can master for free, but then there is a massive amount of content hidden behind a lot of microtransactions.”
- “The DLC packs are good and show growth, but individually purchasing packs/tracks makes the game feel laden with microtransactions, especially with these tracks showing on the song select regardless of purchase.”
- “My view on the game is still a positive one; it's just that the monetization is starting to feel a little out of hand in my opinion.”
- “Scary amount of lame microtransactions, considering you have to purchase the game to begin with.”
- “Very disappointed with the blatant cash grabs with this terribly priced DLC.”
- “Was good in the beginning days (early access) but now it's just a huge cash grab, pretty disappointed in the devs.”
emotional
92 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, describing it as a significant outlet for feelings and a source of joy and nostalgia. Many highlight the exhilarating experience of mastering challenging songs, which evokes feelings of accomplishment and empowerment, while others share moments of frustration and vulnerability, such as crying after losing. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke strong emotions through music and gameplay, making it a memorable and impactful experience.
- “It's been my primary emotional outlet.”
- “After all, music's something you don't just vibe to; you form an emotional attachment to it, so when you make it to the other side of a song that you enjoy in the game, it's actually hard not to cheer.”
- “The game almost made me shed a tear; it's so fun, this is perfect use of VR technology.”
atmosphere
46 mentions
61 % positive mentions
33 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and unique qualities, reminiscent of Tron, with vibrant visuals and engaging music that enhance the overall experience. Players appreciate the combination of fun gameplay and a groovy environment, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enjoy workouts in a captivating setting. Many reviewers highlight the game's ability to create an interactive space that keeps them engaged and motivated.
- “I enjoyed this game because it created a unique atmosphere and formed an interactive space for me to perform my workouts and help me work forward.”
- “The visuals and atmosphere of this game are like no other.”
- “Awesome game, lots of fun, plus the music, the atmosphere, and the gameplay fit together perfectly.”
- “The atmosphere of the game will likely have you forgetting about this for the most part.”
- “Buy the game if you want the atmosphere and don't care for these subtleties.”
- “Being able to match Audioshield's level of atmosphere alone is worth it, and this game says a lot for what having a good UI does for your game.”