Keylocker | Turn Based Cyberpunk Action

93%
Game Brain Score Based on 127 reviews
  • music
  • story
  • gameplay
Keylocker | Turn Based Cyberpunk Action Game Cover
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"Keylocker is a cyberpunk turn-based rhythm JRPG, where you play as the singer and songwriter B0B0. Fight enemies in real-time rhythm game style, using your music to control electricity for attacks and defense. Choose your own path with unique skill trees and storylines as you battle authorities and hack into the network to bring down a corrupt system."

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

93%
Audience ScoreBased on 127 reviews
music49 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Keylocker features an innovative combat system that blends turn-based mechanics with rhythm game elements, providing a unique and engaging gameplay experience.
  • The game boasts a fantastic soundtrack and stunning pixel art visuals, enhancing the overall atmosphere and immersion in its cyberpunk world.
  • The narrative is compelling, exploring themes of rebellion against an oppressive regime, with well-developed characters and humorous writing that keeps players invested.
  • The game can be excessively challenging, particularly for players unfamiliar with timing-based mechanics, which may lead to frustration during combat.
  • There are numerous bugs and technical issues, including crashes and unresponsive mechanics, which can hinder progression and enjoyment.
  • Some players may find the story convoluted and difficult to follow, with a steep learning curve that can make it hard to grasp the game's mechanics and objectives.
  • music106 mentions

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience. The incorporation of diverse musical styles, particularly in combat and story segments, adds a unique layer to the game, making it a standout feature. Players have noted that the music is not only enjoyable within the game but also worthy of listening to outside of it, solidifying its status as a highlight of the overall experience.

    • “The music is by far the highlight; you really can't ask for a better soundtrack for this game.”
    • “Electrobear did a fantastic job incorporating different musical styles for each area while keeping the soft synths consistent for a cohesive cyber feel.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and really sets the mood of the dystopian cyberpunk world, and the way it's implemented into the story is very clever and fun.”
    • “For a game about music... the music is irrelevant.”
    • “There were also some guitar hero-esque sections in the game that I absolutely hated; not being a person that enjoys that kind of content at all, it was a shame so many songs were ruined because it silences the music when you miss a note.”
    • “The presentation uses color extremely well, and the music, while not having the impact that I hoped, was still fantastic.”
  • story75 mentions

    The story of Keylocker is a captivating blend of absurdism and cyberpunk themes, focusing on the rebellion against an oppressive regime through music and humor. While it features well-developed characters and intriguing lore, some players find the narrative somewhat convoluted and occasionally disjointed, with certain quests remaining unresolved. Overall, the game offers an engaging experience with a mix of serious and lighthearted tones, appealing to fans of JRPG storytelling.

    • “Keylocker is a visually absurdist game with a very well thought out story about breaking the law of an oppressive regime with an iron grip on its population.”
    • “The story is captivating and the music just slaps.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic and really sets the mood of the dystopian cyberpunk world, and the way it's implemented into the story is very clever and fun.”
    • “Having finished the game, I can safely say the story was pretty rough.”
    • “A lot of the quests simply don't work/can't be progressed (even the ending is bugged....).”
    • “The overall story seems like there are branches available, but it's a simple 'overthrow the authoritarian power structure' story with a somewhat outlandish method of doing so through the power of music.”
  • gameplay58 mentions

    The gameplay of Keylocker is a unique blend of turn-based mechanics and rhythm elements, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience that requires precise timing and strategy. While the innovative combat system and engaging mechanics are praised, some players find the learning curve steep and the lack of clear explanations for certain features frustrating. Overall, the game is celebrated for its depth, creativity, and captivating soundtrack, though it may not appeal to those who struggle with its demanding gameplay.

    • “A fantastic indie game with incredibly engaging gameplay that perfectly blends turn-based mechanics with rhythm game elements.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and innovative, and the characters, story, and cyberpunk setting and aesthetics are superb.”
    • “Innovative combat system blending rhythm gameplay with turn-based strategy.”
    • “It's half-baked since this mechanic is never explained (you have to notice the gift option appears in the bottom right) and the amount of interactions with these characters is pretty low.”
    • “In summary, the gameplay does not mesh at all with the aesthetics, and prevented me from enjoying the experience.”
    • “Game looks cool and has great mood but sadly gameplay is infuriating.”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning art style, which captures a vibrant 80s to Y2K aesthetic with bold colors and detailed sprite work. Reviewers highlight the unique character designs and immersive environments, noting that the visuals complement the game's innovative gameplay and engaging soundtrack. Overall, the artistic ambition and aesthetic appeal make it a standout title in the indie game scene.

    • “If anything, play the game for the art style.”
    • “The graphics are, to put it simply, some of the most beautiful I have seen in an indie game with bright vivid colors and detailed sprite work all around.”
    • “Stunning pixel art visuals that bring the dystopian world to life.”
    • “The graphics are, to put it simply, some of the most beautiful I have seen in an indie game with bright vivid colors & detailed spritework all around.”
    • “Art style is neat, almost seems EGA-like; I don't know if this was what they were going for.”
    • “The visuals are bold and crunchy.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The game is praised for its well-written characters and clever humor, which enhances the overall experience through thought-provoking dialogue and cheeky writing. Players appreciate the blend of funny and serious moments, contributing to a unique atmosphere, while the diverse gameplay and engaging soundtrack further elevate the comedic elements. Overall, the humor is seen as a significant strength, adding depth and enjoyment to the game's narrative and world-building.

    • “Super fun and challenging game, well-written characters, good humor, thought-provoking dialogue with a somewhat convoluted story that becomes super cool once you start to piece it together and uncover the chunks of lore and world-building behind it.”
    • “The characters are funny, the music is to die for, the action timing and prompts are just as good, if not better, than what Virgo vs the Zodiac offered, and the level of detail woven into the universe is amazing.”
    • “Sometimes the characters and situations in the game are funny and sometimes they are deadly serious, but all this just adds to the experience, giving the game a unique flavor unlike any other.”
  • character development8 mentions

    The character development in the game is praised for its depth and ambition, surpassing that of Virgo Versus the Zodiac, with a strong focus on storytelling and a diverse array of villains. Reviewers highlight the stunning character designs and pixel art, which enhance the overall experience, while the music complements the narrative and aesthetic beautifully. Overall, the combination of engaging character development, worldbuilding, and artistic elements creates a captivating RPG experience.

    • “It feels like this is a bigger, more ambitious RPG than Virgo Versus the Zodiac. There is a lot more story focus, more villains that are constantly in the game, and much more character development and focus than Virgo.”
    • “The character designs, the music, the story, and the gameplay all just feel perfect to me.”
    • “Finally, I’d be remiss to not mention the gorgeous pixel art and standout, instantly recognizable character designs.”
    • “It feels like this is a bigger, more ambitious RPG than Virgo Versus the Zodiac; it feels like there is a lot more story focus, more villains that are constantly in the game, and much more character development and focus than Virgo.”
    • “My girlfriend, who does not like video games, really appreciates the character design, overall look, and cute animals in the game.”
    • “Through character designs, worldbuilding, the soundtrack, and small details.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by an excellent soundtrack, immersive weather effects, and engaging writing and characters. While some bugs in the final zones detract slightly from the experience, the overall execution of the game's world and ambiance contributes significantly to its appeal.

    • “The soundtrack is excellent, and the overall atmosphere is very well executed.”
    • “This game has great atmosphere, great music, great writing, great characters, and a very challenging combat system.”
    • “A lot of the locations also feature various weather effects which might seem silly to mention but adds to the atmosphere and immersion of the game, which I think is very important, especially for 2D pixel art games like Keylocker.”
    • “A lot of the locations feature various weather effects, which might seem silly to mention, but they add to the atmosphere and immersion of the game. I think this is very important, especially for 2D pixel art games like Keylocker.”
  • grinding4 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while some players find the game's difficulty frustrating, particularly due to the parry mechanic, others appreciate the design that allows for enjoyable repetition in battles without the need for traditional grinding. The game offers infinite retries, enabling players to refine their strategies against tough opponents, distinguishing it from other JRPGs that often rely on grinding and damage sponges.

    • “The game was designed to make repetition enjoyable and satisfying in fights, similar to Dark Souls, as players have an infinite number of retries in all combats. This allows them to carefully hone their strategy and eventually take down tough opponents without any grinding necessary.”
    • “I have one complaint about this game, and that is its teeth-grinding difficulty, mostly due to the inconsistency of the parry mechanic.”
    • “Forget about the grinding of Final Fantasy and the damage sponges of Persona, as Keylocker integrates neither into its core gameplay, which I'm sure will be a breath of fresh air to many JRPG fans.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game is noted for its engaging gameplay and writing, but it suffers from significant stability issues, including frequent crashes and unresponsive combat mechanics, which detract from the overall experience. Users express frustration with the bugs, making it difficult to fully recommend the game despite its positive aspects.

    • “But a bit buggy with many crashes and times when combat just didn't progress. I also had moments when I didn't understand how a certain mechanic worked (probably just me being dumb).”
    • “Very good game with decent writing, an extremely fun turn-based combat where timing is everything and good music, but it's too buggy to recommend.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players find that class restrictions on quests can enhance replayability by encouraging multiple playthroughs, but this can also be frustrating for those who prefer to experience everything in a single run.

    • “Being class locked out of quests sits somewhere between added replayability and being annoying because you want to do it all in one playthrough.”
    • “The lack of meaningful choices in the game makes replaying it feel more like a chore than an adventure.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to go back and experience it again.”
  • optimization1 mentions

    Overall, users report that the game's optimization is solid, with smooth performance on both desktop and Steam Deck platforms, indicating a well-optimized experience across different devices.

    • “Performance-wise, I didn't have any problems. I played mostly on my desktop but also quite a bit on my Steam Deck, and it runs just fine there.”
    • “The optimization in this game is impressive; it runs smoothly on both high-end and low-end systems.”
    • “I appreciate how well the game is optimized for different platforms, making it accessible for a wider audience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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