Just Shapes & Beats
- May 31, 2018
- Berzerk Studio
- 8h median play time
Just Shapes & Beats’ excellent soundtrack spawns intricate levels in a stylish aesthetic that is sure to challenge even the most dedicated players.
Get on SteamA chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoid Shapes, move to the kick-ass Beats, and die, repeatedly.
Mac OS
Nintendo Switch
PC
Phone
Steam Deck
Windows
Linux
Tablet
Reviews
- music6,358 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in "Just Shapes & Beats" is widely praised for its energetic and engaging soundtrack, featuring a variety of electronic genres, particularly EDM and chiptune. Players appreciate how the music is intricately synced with the gameplay, enhancing the overall experience and making each level feel unique and immersive. While some users express a desire for more song variety and customization options, the majority find the music to be a standout feature that significantly contributes to the game's charm and replayability.
“The music is so good and makes a good challenge for me since I have been looking for a difficult game to play and now I have Just Shapes and Beats, I can't stop playing.”
“The music is fantastic, the gameplay is unique, and I couldn't imagine how to pack more personality into a single square.”
“The soundtrack is absolutely a highlight of this experience, every song is a high-octane electronic thrill ride from start to finish and sets the stage for the challenging yet enjoyable levels throughout.”
“I didn't have fun while grinding beat points, and I even got to the point where I gave up on listening to the game's music and just muted the game while mindlessly grinding the same levels...”
“The music choice is extremely one-note and lacking in variety.”
“I get that people like the music in the game, but I think the game needed to take more risks with music choice to be interesting.”
- story3,351 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story in "Just Shapes & Beats" is surprisingly engaging, told entirely through visuals and music without any dialogue, which many players found emotionally impactful. While the story mode is relatively short, typically taking around 2 to 4 hours to complete, it is praised for its charming characters and well-crafted levels that enhance the overall experience. Players expressed a desire for a longer story mode, but the game compensates with additional challenges and multiplayer modes that extend its replayability.
“I never would've expected such a touching and immersive story from simple shapes, but this was one of the best stories I've seen in an otherwise simple game made epic.”
“The story mode is a joy to play, and the online mode offers hours of entertainment, as well.”
“The story mode, albeit short, is a masterpiece in storytelling as it manages to convey so much without a single word, and the world map is brilliant.”
“The story mode is ridiculously short.”
“The only downside is the lack of content, dont get me wrong i love this game and dont regret my purchase but it could of used a couple more missions only took me about 2 hours to complete.”
“The story mode is pretty short, beat it in 4 hours but each level is well designed.”
- gameplay1,352 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 41 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Just Shapes & Beats" is a dynamic blend of rhythm and bullet hell mechanics, offering a mix of simple controls and challenging obstacles that keep players engaged. Many reviewers praise the game's ability to synchronize music with gameplay, creating an exhilarating experience, though some note issues with repetitive mechanics and difficulty spikes. Overall, the game is celebrated for its fun, addictive gameplay, vibrant visuals, and an impressive soundtrack, making it a standout title for fans of rhythm and action genres.
“This game takes some of the best songs I knew and smashed them together with amazing gameplay and visuals.”
“The gameplay is super fun to me and I love how tricky it can get to get an S on some songs, especially on hardcore mode.”
“The music and the gameplay work perfectly together.”
“Before I say anything else about this game, I want to preface that this is the first 2D 'rhythm' game I've played that has lagged my PC during gameplay.”
“The gameplay is mind-numbingly boring.”
“The main problem that JSAB suffers from very much is unfair gameplay.”
- graphics760 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 39 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Just Shapes & Beats" are widely praised for their simplistic yet captivating design, effectively complementing the game's energetic soundtrack. Reviewers highlight the vibrant colors and smooth animations, which create an engaging visual experience that enhances gameplay. While some note the minimalist style may seem basic, many appreciate how it contributes to the overall charm and enjoyment of the game, making it visually appealing without overwhelming players.
“The visuals are stunning and if you want to train, this is a good game to go with!”
“The devs have created an awesome experience around just those two mechanics by supplementing them with fantastic visuals, synced perfectly to a stellar soundtrack.”
“Just shapes and beats is a thrilling, rhythm-based bullet hell game that flawlessly blends mesmerizing visuals with a terrific, electrifying soundtrack.”
“There are barely any graphics options, meaning that if you have a bad PC, say bye to your frames.”
“It was really the visuals that changed more, which, for a rhythm game, is... bad.”
“Graphics: 6.1/10 eh... it's not the best but it's not the worst either so half decent.”
- emotional193 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game delivers a surprisingly emotional experience through its simple yet heartfelt story, conveyed without dialogue, that resonates deeply with players. Many reviewers expressed feeling genuine attachment to the characters, often geometric shapes, and noted that the combination of engaging music and creative visuals enhances the emotional impact. Overall, it stands out as a touching and immersive journey that evokes a range of feelings, from joy to sadness, making it a memorable experience despite its simplistic premise.
“I never would've expected such a touching and immersive story from simple shapes, but this was one of the best stories I've seen in an otherwise simple game made epic.”
“This game made me emotionally invested in a blue cube that gives hugs.”
“The storyline is heartwarming despite the lack of dialogue, and it never fails to present a challenge whilst never pushing the difficulty too far.”
- replayability192 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 46 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players praising its online multiplayer and ranking systems that encourage repeated play, while others criticize the lack of content and a level editor, which limits long-term engagement. Many reviews highlight the enjoyment derived from achieving high scores and completing challenges, but some feel that the game can become repetitive after a short story mode. Overall, while there are elements that enhance replayability, such as multiplayer and challenges, the absence of diverse content leaves some players wanting more.
“Smooth, beautiful, awesome tunes, fair gameplay, awesome story and characters, lots of replayability, the list goes on and on!”
“Endless replay value, and endless tunes.”
“A fantastically fun game, with a lot of replayability.”
“A good singleplayer game with potential to be extremely fun with friends, but the lack of a custom level editor just makes this game irrelevant in the long run. Rhythm games live and die by their content, and this one has very little replayability, unfortunately.”
“Replay value is nonexistent.”
“The game does lack in replay value.”
- humor172 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its lightheartedness and charm, with players enjoying the funny shapes, quirky characters, and amusing scenarios that unfold during gameplay. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke laughter through its chaotic and random elements, as well as its engaging story that balances humor with emotional moments. Overall, the combination of funny visuals, entertaining music, and cooperative play makes it a delightful experience for players, especially when shared with friends.
“Just like the name implies, it's just beats and shapes, but that's not all, there's also a big funny evil guy that wants to murder your friends.”
“A really funny game that is so satisfying as the music fits perfectly with the shapes' rhythms.”
“There is an immense amount of character and humor that I was not expecting when I signed up for this, but I love every bit of it.”
- grinding133 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 37 % neutral mentions
- 61 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding it tedious and overly time-consuming, often requiring them to replay the same levels repeatedly to unlock content. While some enjoy the challenge and the music, others feel that the grind detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration and boredom. Overall, the consensus suggests that the game could benefit from a more balanced approach to content unlocks to enhance enjoyment.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding isn't necessary to progress.”
“Too much grinding.”
“I didn't have fun while grinding beat points, and I even got to the point where I gave up on listening to the game's music and just muted the game while mindlessly grinding the same levels.”
“The game has way too much grinding for the simple task of playing all the songs, and ultimately for Katana Blaster I just kept resetting challenge mode so I could get S rank on hardcore mode without wasting hours of time grinding for beat points in challenge mode playing the songs that already don't interest me.”
“Sure, there are a decent number of songs, but once you've played through the story mode once, the only thing you have left to do is grind beat points, which is incredibly tedious and gets very boring playing the same songs over and over again.”
- stability44 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 5 % neutral mentions
- 91 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally well-received, with many players reporting minimal to no significant bugs or glitches during gameplay. However, some users have noted occasional issues, particularly in multiplayer modes and the main menu, where minor bugs can disrupt the experience. Despite these concerns, the game is often described as polished and enjoyable, especially considering its low price.
“Great game, no glitches, the money was worth it”
“Multiplayer glitches sometimes and you just have to wait in a black screen for the whole level; I've also seen some people constantly take damage when they are not being hit.”
“Also, the main menu is a bit buggy with mouse and keyboard (mouse has a horizontal aim offset for some reason).”
“The multiplayer content (in particular, the online mode) is a nice touch, although in its current state, it is a little buggy.”
- optimization30 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while many players praise its smooth performance and sharp graphics, particularly on lower-end systems, there are notable issues with specific levels and overworld minigames that suffer from lag and awkward controls. These performance hiccups can detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration in certain gameplay scenarios. Despite these concerns, the game is still considered enjoyable, with hopes for future improvements through updates and DLC.
“The icing on the cake: performance is pretty much flawless, controller support is great, and the graphics are pin-sharp!”
“Exactly as advertised: a bullet hell rhythm game with extremely polished visuals, quality co-op/party mode, creative beatmaps, and surprisingly well optimized (so don't worry if your computer is trash like mine).”
“Good graphics and from the looks of it can run smoothly on even a potato.”
“The overworld minigames suffer from poor optimization and awkward controls, making it a tedious slog to get through, which overall just drags the quality of the game down.”
“Some levels will go flawlessly, while other levels don't afford the chance to even react in certain spots, and it affects performance enough to almost instantly fail, even on casual mode.”
“Just Shapes and Beats is a simplistic, entertaining game to play alone or with friends, but is held back somewhat by performance issues and lack of level variety.”
- atmosphere26 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its energetic and playful vibe, enhanced by catchy music and engaging visuals. Players appreciate the seamless integration of sound and animation, which creates a captivating experience, particularly during boss fights and cutscenes. Overall, the atmosphere is described as lighthearted and motivating, making it one of the most immersive aspects of the game.
“This game is truthfully one of the most atmospheric and engaging games I have ever played.”
“Friendly bullet hell that keeps you motivated with a lighthearted atmosphere and an engaging story that draws the player in.”
“But the atmosphere in story mode?”
“Multiple songs are only used to add atmosphere to the story and are not even mapped out.”
“The atmosphere of the boss fights and cutscenes... well, it quite possibly has the very best atmosphere I've ever seen.”
- monetization12 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game "Just Shapes and Beats" features no in-app purchases, utilizing its own currency called beat points, which has been positively received by players. Reviewers appreciate the absence of intrusive ads and monetization tactics, highlighting the game's focus on gameplay and aesthetics rather than cash grabs. Overall, the monetization model is seen as refreshing and player-friendly.
“This game has no in-app purchases and has its own currency called beat points.”
“A fun bullet-hell type game combined with music, Just Shapes and Beats takes music-based games to a whole new level, including ranking systems that award you for doing certain things, encourage you to practice on stages, and even checkpoints that allow for more room for mistakes.”
“This game is exactly what has been missing in my life between all these bogus AAA titles and cash grabs.”
“A fun bullet-hell type game combined with music (that may or may not be monetization-friendly), Just Shapes and Beats takes music-based games to a whole new level, including but not limited to: ranking systems that award you for doing certain things, ranking systems that encourage you to practice on stages, and even checkpoints that allow for more room for mistakes.”
“Instead of getting hit with an endless amount of ads from Spotify, I get hit with an endless amount of pink shapes of death.”
- character development6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The character development in the game is praised for its depth, incorporating a blend of action and drama that exceeds expectations. Additionally, the character designs and music choices enhance the overall experience, contributing to a rich narrative.
“There's action, drama, character development, the whole 9 yards, which is so much more than what I expected going into the story.”
“Awesome character designs and music choices as well.”
“I also love the character designs!”
Critic Reviews
Just Shapes & Beats Review
The sheer verve of Just Shapes & Beats is infectious. True to its name, the elements are simple, but Berzerk Studio explores and executes on its modest premise with an exceptional level of polish. It injects pure joy into the oppressive, pulsing panic of Super Hexagon and creates a celebratory explosion of the audio-visual in video games. Challenge mode and the hectic multiplayer will keep you occupied after you’ve conquered the refreshingly breezy story. Grab some decent headphones or, better still, some friends and hook your Switch up to the hi-fi. The neighbours will love you.
90%Just Shapes & Beats (Switch) Review
Just Shapes & Beats’ excellent soundtrack spawns intricate levels in a stylish aesthetic that is sure to challenge even the most dedicated players.
90%Just Shapes & Beats (Nintendo Switch)
Just Shapes & Beats is a unique combination of rhythm and arcade games that’s fun and accessible. There’s a lot of visual and audio stimulation, but it works well and makes for a fun party game.
85%
