Beat Slayer
- April 4, 2024
- ByteRockers' Games
Whether busting robot heads or jamming to the tune, Beat Slayer promises a good time, even if a lack of versatility makes it a little stale.
"Beat Slayer is a roguelite hack n’ slay game where music takes center stage in a dystopian 90s-inspired Berlin. Players control Mia, a music-loving tinkerer, battling hordes of robots with rhythm-matched moves, dodging and attacking to the beat. Each run is unique, with variable enemies, weapons, upgrades, and playstyles, offering a fresh challenge and intense gameplay."
Reviews
- Engaging and satisfying combat mechanics with a unique rhythm-based gameplay that keeps players hooked.
- Stunning art style and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
- Interesting story and characters set in a vibrant, dystopian Berlin, adding depth to the gameplay.
- Lack of support from developers post-launch, with no response to community feedback or issues.
- Game can become repetitive and boring after a few runs, with limited variety in upgrades and enemy encounters.
- Issues with controller compatibility and input lag, particularly with Bluetooth devices, detracting from the gameplay experience.
- music33 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its energetic and engaging soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience. While the overall quality of the music is high, some players noted a lack of variety, expressing a desire for more diverse tracks to accompany different gameplay scenarios. Overall, the music is described as a key element that complements the game's rhythm-based mechanics and vibrant atmosphere, making it a standout feature for fans of the genre.
“The soundtrack is amazing.”
“The gameplay feels tight, responsive and rewarding, alongside a kick-ass soundtrack.”
“The music is lovely and the gameplay loop is pretty addicting.”
“I didn't finish the game yet, so maybe it is possible later in the game, but I just wish we could select different music to refresh the background music atmosphere during the new runs.”
“Most of the music feels very samey.”
“Unfortunately, there seems to be only one song so far; 'rhythm feedback' could be a bit more 'omnipresent' in the game.”
- gameplay23 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by satisfying combat, a fun kick mechanic, and a responsive feel, making it enjoyable and rewarding. Players appreciate the engaging rhythm-driven mechanics, a variety of combos, and a solid balance of difficulty, though opinions on the overall experience can be polarized. The soundtrack enhances the gameplay loop, contributing to its addictive nature, while the roguelike elements add depth to the experience.
“The gameplay feels tight, responsive, and rewarding, alongside a kick-ass soundtrack.”
“The gameplay is incredibly satisfying; you can feel the upgrades making you stronger, and the music rocks!”
“Nice roguelike with a good balance of difficulty, short but interesting story and characters, and satisfying gameplay.”
“Frankly, you either love or hate the gameplay; there isn’t much room in-between.”
“The rhythm mechanics of the combat took a little bit to get used to, but the game does a pretty good job introducing different techniques and skills.”
“Gameplay: decent”
- story11 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 27 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The story is generally regarded as good and interesting, with well-written and illustrated characters that enhance the experience. While it may be simpler compared to other titles in the genre, it effectively complements the satisfying gameplay and memorable mechanics, making it a worthwhile aspect of the game. Overall, players appreciate the balance between the story and gameplay, despite its brevity.
“It took me just under 8 hours to complete the story (5 loops total).”
“The story is simple and so are the characters, but since the gameplay loop is pretty memorable and nice, and the music gets me carried away, I absolutely recommend it.”
“Sure, there isn’t as much of a story compared to genre-giant Hades, but Mia still got the moves like Zagreus.”
“At first, I thought the story wasn't for me, but the characters are so well written, voiced, and illustrated that I really enjoyed it.”
“The story is simple, and so are the characters, but since the gameplay loop is pretty memorable and nice, and the music gets me carried away, I absolutely recommend it.”
- graphics6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their stunning and interesting art style, contributing to an overall immersive experience that complements the game's vibe and aesthetics. Users appreciate the visual elements alongside the engaging gameplay and audio, highlighting the art style as a standout feature.
“Stunning, interesting art style.”
“The vibe and aesthetics, the music, the characters, the writing, the overall feeling... this rocks!”
“Love the art style too.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game is praised for its replayability and entertainment value, particularly as a rogue-lite. However, some users feel that the limited and one-dimensional nature of permanent upgrades may hinder its long-term replayability by lacking significant build-defining changes.
“Personally, this has become one of my favorite rogue-lites of recent years, both in terms of replayability and entertainment factor.”
“Lighter on the content side than some other rogue-lites, but still very replayable.”
“- The permanent upgrade options feel very one-dimensional; 'do 5% more damage with basics' and the lack of build-defining changes will hurt the game's long-term replayability.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highly praised, contributing significantly to the overall experience, especially once the gameplay picks up. However, some players feel that the initial pacing could be improved to better showcase the comedic elements early on.
“It takes a bit to get going, but when it does, it really gets going! I would like to see more content to play around with early on. Also, I would appreciate a better way to see if I hit a beat, as the current method isn't clear enough. Otherwise, everything else is amazing: the music, the art, and the humor are totally worth the price.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is praised for its appealing setting, contributing to an overall enjoyable experience.
“The setting and atmosphere are truly captivating.”
“The game creates an immersive atmosphere that draws you in.”
“The atmosphere is rich and detailed, making every moment feel alive.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players express that the grinding in the game is excessively time-consuming, often requiring a significant investment of time akin to having a second life to fully engage with it.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“The grinding feels endless and tedious.”
“I spent hours grinding for minimal rewards.”
- stability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game demonstrates excellent stability, particularly on the Steam Deck, where it consistently runs at 60 fps.
“Great game - for those on Steam Deck, this runs great at 60 FPS!”
“The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes or major bugs.”
“I appreciate how smoothly the game runs, even during intense action sequences.”
Critic Reviews
Beat Slayer Review (PC)
Beat Slayer’s core mechanic is good. As long as players stay on the beat and mix and match their attacks, kicks, and dashes, they can deal with a wide array of enemy combinations. The game also has a good variety of upgrades for Mia and two extra weapons to unlock. This futuristic version of Berlin is interesting, although her sidekicks can be a little forgettable. The title’s rogue-lite implementation does not impress, which is disappointing considering the opportunities for innovation its universe offers. Boss battles also lack the excitement of normal arenas. Beat Slayer has good music, a strong main concept, and is welcoming to newcomers while delivering a challenge for action-rhythm fans. Review key provided by the developer.
90%Beat Slayer Review — Rhythm-Action Meets Rogue-Lite Brutality
Whether busting robot heads or jamming to the tune, Beat Slayer promises a good time, even if a lack of versatility makes it a little stale.
70%Beat Slayer review – Hades meets Hi-Fi Rush
Fantasian Neo Dimension review
80%