Keylocker | Turn Based Cyberpunk Action | Game Brain

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."

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 56 reviews

music positive mentions

grinding negative mentions

Keylocker features a unique and engaging combat system that blends rhythm mechanics with turn-based strategy, providing a satisfying challenge.
The game boasts stunning pixel art visuals and an excellent soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, immersing players in its vibrant world.
Character customization is deep and rewarding, allowing players to mix and match classes and skills, which adds to the game's replayability.

The timing-based combat can be overly punishing, with strict requirements for perfect dodges and counters that may frustrate some players.
Some players found the story and character motivations to be disjointed or lacking coherence, which detracted from their overall enjoyment.
The game can feel overwhelming at times due to the number of mechanics and encounters, making it difficult for new players to keep track of everything.

music
42 mentions
50 % positive mentions
48 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its outstanding quality and ability to enhance the overall experience. The soundtrack features a unique blend of genres, including synth and cultural instrumentals, and is integral to the game's narrative, particularly in its themes of rebellion against oppressive forces. While some players expressed frustration with specific gameplay mechanics related to music, the consensus is that the music is a standout element, elevating the game's artistic and emotional impact.
- “The soundtrack is pretty awesome, and I love the more detailed pixel art.”
- “The music is outstanding, no exceptions.”
- “From the gorgeous art to the fun characters and world, it is well worth the price tag; and that is to say nothing of the music, which is some of the best video game music I have heard in a long time.”
- “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.”
- “Saving the world with the power of music might be a little cheesy, but the characters are written as more than that.”
- “Keylocker’s sound design is truly powerful in many different regards, ranging from the crisp sound effects and electrifying music to the usage of silence at various points to convey the sum of its themes.”
story
30 mentions
20 % positive mentions
77 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally engaging and features a mix of serious and whimsical tones, with a central theme of overthrowing an authoritarian regime through music. While some players find the plot somewhat generic and less cohesive than other titles, the branching paths and multiple endings add depth, and the characters are well-received. Overall, the narrative is complemented by strong world-building and a captivating soundtrack, making it a notable aspect of the game.
- “The story seems very interesting with seemingly well fleshed out lore and plenty of world building.”
- “The story, characters, music, art direction, and gameplay are all so good.”
- “Regarding the main story itself, it is very well done albeit a little generic. I think you would enjoy it if you liked the stories of notable JRPGs such as Persona 4, Chrono Trigger, and Xenoblade Chronicles.”
- “Having finished the game, I can safely say the story was pretty rough.”
- “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.”
- “The writing and story of Keylocker have many different tones, but only in a very few sections did I feel that it was disjointed or poorly done.”
gameplay
23 mentions
43 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay of *Keylocker* is a unique blend of rhythm-based mechanics and turn-based strategy, drawing inspiration from classic RPGs like *Super Mario RPG*. Players engage in demanding combat that rewards precise timing and skill, featuring a parry system that adds depth and challenge. While some mechanics may be frustrating at times, the overall experience is enhanced by captivating music, stunning visuals, and a compelling story, making it a standout title in the genre.
- “Keylocker's gameplay is where it draws most of its inspiration from games like Super Mario RPG and Mario & Luigi, and could also be one of the most contentious points for the game, which is why I have put it at the top of my review.”
- “Innovative combat system blending rhythm gameplay with turn-based strategy.”
- “Amazing pixel art, sublime electronic/symphonic music, unique and interesting character/environment designs, and difficult but immensely rewarding gameplay that will leave you wanting more.”
- “You could miss a number of attacks and it was fine, which made it feel like the mechanic wasn't as central. This was less true the later you went into the game, but you also started one-shotting things, so it mattered less.”
- “Not sure if this is intentional or bugged, but the game seems to have a pity mechanic where if you die more than once and restart the battle, it will recover your health to full.”
- “Some mechanics can get a bit annoying at times, but the story, characters, and writing totally make it worth sticking with.”
graphics
10 mentions
30 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art and vibrant colors, creating an aesthetically pleasing and immersive experience. Reviewers highlight the charming character designs, refreshing UI, and the seamless integration of visuals with music and gameplay, making it a standout in the indie game scene. Overall, the artwork is considered artistically ambitious and a strong contender for game of the year.
- “The visuals, the music, the characters, and especially the combat system all blend beautifully together.”
- “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 and detailed sprite work all around.”
- “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.”
- “I love the retro aesthetics.”
- “One of the most artistically ambitious and aesthetically pleasing, easiest GOTY contenders, so full of risk-taking and imaginative ideas.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of cheeky writing and situational comedy, with characters that oscillate between funny and serious, enhancing the overall experience. Players appreciate the clever integration of humor with engaging action and detailed world-building, making it a unique and enjoyable adventure.
- “The characters are funny, the music is to die for, and the action timing and prompts are just as good, if not better, than what Virgo vs. the Zodiac offered. Playing on the hardest mode available, I can reliably pull them off, and the level of detail woven into the universe is amazing.”
- “There's some cheeky writing and humor, and the music is pretty cool too.”
- “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.”
grinding
3 mentions
33 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
67 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding in Keylocker to be minimal and enjoyable, as the game allows for infinite retries in battles, enabling strategic refinement without the need for repetitive grinding typical in other JRPGs. This design choice is seen as a refreshing departure from the grinding mechanics found in games like Final Fantasy and Persona.
- “The game was designed to make repetition enjoyable and satisfying, 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.”
- “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.”
- “If you have a similar gaming history as me, the battle grinding won't be a big deal at all.”
optimization
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative 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 game is incredibly well-optimized, allowing for smooth gameplay even on lower-end hardware.”
- “I appreciate how the developers have fine-tuned the settings, making it easy to achieve great performance without sacrificing visual quality.”
character development
1 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
While the pixel art and character designs are praised for their stunning and unique qualities, there is no specific mention of character development in the reviews, suggesting that this aspect may not be a focal point in the game.
- “The pixel art is stunning, and the character designs are really cool and unique.”
- “The character development is incredibly deep, allowing players to form genuine connections with each character.”
- “I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel personal and impactful.”
atmosphere
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
100 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the inclusion of diverse weather effects significantly enhances the atmosphere and immersion in the game, particularly noting its importance for 2D pixel art titles like Keylocker.
- “The various weather effects in the game may seem trivial, but they significantly enhance the atmosphere and immersion, which is crucial for 2D pixel art games like Keylocker.”
- “The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing players into its beautifully crafted world.”
- “Every location is filled with unique details that contribute to a rich and engaging atmosphere, making exploration a delight.”
- “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.”
- “The overall atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth and detail that could have made the world feel more alive.”
- “Despite the game's potential, the atmosphere is hindered by repetitive environments and a lack of engaging sound design, making exploration feel dull.”