Chiptune Champion
- January 7, 2016
- Blake Garner
Solid and definitely has an audience. There could be some hard-to-ignore faults, but the experience is fun.
Get on Steam"Chiptune Champion" is a rhythm game that challenges you to play along to catchy chiptune melodies using your keyboard. With two game modes, three difficulty levels, and a variety of official songs to choose from, you can test your skills and rise to the top of the weekly and all-time leaderboards. You can also track and share your own custom songs via the Steam Workshop, and earn achievements as you progress. Customize your keys for a personalized experience.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game features a great selection of chiptune music that is enjoyable and catchy.
- The ability to create and share custom tracks through the Steam Workshop adds significant replayability.
- The gameplay is fun and can be challenging, especially for fans of rhythm games.
- The controls can be frustrating, especially with the keyboard setup, and there is no native controller support.
- The timing for hitting notes is often too strict, leading to a disconnect between the player and the music.
- The game lacks a sufficient number of official songs and has a cumbersome workshop integration for custom tracks.
- music181 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The music in the game is predominantly chiptune, which many players find enjoyable and nostalgic, evoking memories of classic 8-bit games. While the original soundtrack is praised for its catchiness, some users note that the novelty can wear off, and there are complaints about the limited song selection and issues with note synchronization. The inclusion of a custom song creator and Steam Workshop support adds replayability, but the process of downloading and integrating custom tracks can be cumbersome.
“The music is absolutely great - a wonderful selection of chiptunes you'll be walking around humming for days.”
“The music makes me feel like I've been cast into an 8-bit film.”
“The original songs are very good and catchy, the gameplay is responsive, and most of the workshop tracks are well made.”
“The keyboard causes a huge disconnect between myself and the music, personally.”
“The novelty of 'chiptune' music also gets old fast.”
“Even on sale it's tough to recommend since the songs are boring and the controls feel unresponsive.”
- gameplay18 mentions
- 22 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its challenging mechanics typical of guitar rhythm games, with responsive controls and a solid selection of catchy original and workshop tracks. While many players appreciate the smooth experience and engaging music, some have noted issues with difficulty and specific mechanics, such as the strumming system, which can be frustrating for certain setups. Overall, the game offers a fun and interactive rhythm experience, though it may not be suitable for everyone.
“The original songs are very good and catchy, the gameplay is responsive, and most of the workshop tracks are well made.”
“Chiptune Champion creates such an interactive situation for itself where players can play along to 8-bit tracks designed for the game, giving a gameplay experience that can leave players joyful, energetic, and humored.”
“I have played quite a bit of it and I absolutely love the music and clean gameplay.”
“A bad 80's lookalike game with poor gameplay and interface.”
“4 - barebones gameplay.”
“Annnnd it's completely unplayable for me because of the strumming mechanic.”
- story4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is noted as lacking, with some users expressing a desire for a more developed narrative or campaign mode. However, this absence does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment, particularly for those focused on the rhythm gameplay.
“This doesn't bother me so much because it's a rhythm game, but there is no story mode or campaign, so if that's what you're looking for, it's not here.”
- graphics4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics are praised for their quality, with users noting that they are visually appealing without being overly flashy, reminiscent of the beatmania arcade games. Additionally, the accompanying music enhances the overall experience.
“The visuals are great, and the music is fantastic!”
“The graphics aren't flashy like the beatmania arcade games.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious and boring, particularly criticizing the process of placing beats on music as unengaging. Additionally, expanding the song library through the workshop is seen as a laborious task, further detracting from the overall enjoyment.
“If I wasn't misled about the customization in the game, I'd still hate it because placing beats on top of music isn't fun; it's tedious and boring.”
“If you are looking to increase the low number of songs in this game with the workshop, good luck; you have some tedious work ahead of you.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is noted to be present and impactful, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Players appreciate how it enhances immersion and complements the gameplay.
“The atmosphere feels completely lacking, making the game feel empty.”
“There is no sense of immersion; the atmosphere is flat and uninspired.”
“The game's atmosphere fails to engage, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users have noted that the game's controls can be unresponsive and challenging to master, particularly for beginners, as the fast-paced songs leave little time for accurate button presses. However, the availability of workshop songs optimized for lower skill levels is appreciated, providing a more accessible experience for new players.
“The workshop offers songs that are optimized for rookie players, allowing them to practice at a slower speed, which is a great feature for beginners.”
“The optimization of the controls has made a significant difference in my gameplay experience, allowing for smoother and more responsive interactions.”
“I appreciate how the game has been optimized to cater to different skill levels, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced players.”
“It was very hard to get used to the controls; sometimes they weren't very responsive. By the time I'm writing this review, I was still struggling with the game, especially because the songs are very fast. There's not enough time to press every button correctly if you're a beginner. However, I appreciate the workshop for providing songs that were optimized for rookie levels with a slower speed.”
“The optimization of the game feels lacking, as the controls can be unresponsive at times, making it difficult for new players to keep up with the fast-paced songs.”
“As a beginner, I found the game's optimization to be frustrating. The fast songs leave little room for error, and the controls don't always respond as expected.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in Chiptune Champion is derived from its interactive gameplay, where players engage with lively 8-bit tracks that foster a joyful and energetic atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience with a lighthearted touch.
“Chiptune Champion creates such an interactive situation where players can engage with 8-bit tracks designed for the game, providing a gameplay experience that leaves players joyful, energetic, and amused.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is perceived as intriguing, with potential for deeper engagement, but it currently lacks refinement to fully resonate with players.
- replayability1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability due to its extensive music selection, the option to create custom tracks using a track editor, and the ability to download additional tracks from the Steam Workshop.
“There's a wide selection of music to choose from at the outset, and the ability to create your own tracks in the track editor or download tracks from the Steam Workshop gives this game huge potential for massive replayability.”
