Keylocker | Turn Based Cyberpunk Action

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 115 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

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 115 reviews
music43 positive mentions
grinding3 negative mentions
  • Keylocker features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience, with diverse musical styles that fit the game's cyberpunk theme.
  • The turn-based combat system is innovative and engaging, requiring players to master timing and positioning, which adds depth and strategy to battles.
  • The game's visuals are stunning, showcasing beautiful pixel art and unique character designs that bring the vibrant world to life.
  • The combat can be punishingly difficult, with strict timing requirements that may frustrate players, especially those new to rhythm-based mechanics.
  • There are numerous bugs and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay, including quest progression problems and crashes.
  • The story can feel disjointed at times, with some characters and writing lacking depth, making it hard to follow the narrative.
  • music92 mentions

    The music in the game is universally praised as a standout feature, with many reviewers highlighting its exceptional quality and diverse styles that enhance the overall experience. Composed by Elektrobear, the soundtrack effectively complements the game's cyberpunk themes and is described as addictive, with some tracks being particularly memorable. While some players noted minor issues with gameplay elements related to music, the overwhelming consensus is that the soundtrack is a major highlight that elevates the game's atmosphere and storytelling.

    • “Elektrobear 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.”
    • “The music is outstanding, no exceptions.”
    • “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.”
  • story70 mentions

    The story in the game is a mix of engaging and disjointed elements, featuring class-specific quests that enhance replayability but can also lead to frustration due to unresolved missions. While the narrative incorporates real scientific concepts and has a unique cyberpunk aesthetic, it sometimes lacks cohesion and can feel generic, though it remains intriguing and humorous overall. Players appreciate the character development, world-building, and the clever integration of music into the storyline, making for a captivating experience despite some bugs and pacing issues.

    • “The gameplay, story, and music are captivating just from chapter 1!”
    • “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.”
    • “The story seems engaging thus far.”
    • “A lot of the quests simply don't work or can't be progressed (even the ending is bugged...).”
    • “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.”
  • gameplay53 mentions

    Keylocker's gameplay is a unique blend of rhythm mechanics and traditional RPG elements, drawing inspiration from titles like Super Mario RPG and Virgo vs. the Zodiac. While the combat is engaging and rewarding, featuring a variety of enemy types and a challenging parry system, it can be difficult for newcomers due to its steep learning curve and occasional lack of clarity in mechanics. Overall, players who enjoy skill-based gameplay and innovative systems will find a lot to appreciate, though it may frustrate those less adept at timing and strategy.

    • “Combat always feels fresh with a large amount of enemy types and unique boss mechanics.”
    • “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.”
    • “I have one complaint about this game and that is its teeth-grinding difficulty, mostly due to the inconsistency of the parry mechanic.”
  • graphics29 mentions

    The graphics of the game are widely praised for their stunning pixel art, vibrant colors, and unique aesthetic that blends retro and cyberpunk elements. Reviewers highlight the impressive variety in environments and character designs, noting that the visuals complement the engaging gameplay and immersive soundtrack. Overall, the art style is considered one of the game's standout features, contributing significantly to its appeal.

    • “There is tons of graphical variety with dense areas and unique setpieces.”
    • “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 spritework 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 sprite work all around.”
    • “Art style is neat, almost seems ega-like, don't know if this was what they were going for.”
    • “The visuals are bold and crunchy.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is well-received, with players noting its clever dialogue, cheeky writing, and a blend of funny and serious moments that enhance the overall experience. The characters contribute to the comedic tone, and the unique gameplay elements are complemented by a stylish soundtrack that adds to the game's charm. Overall, the humor is seen as a standout feature that enriches the narrative and gameplay.

    • “The story overall is pretty good and humorous.”
    • “Aesthetic is great, the story seems very interesting so far, dialogue is good and funny and gameplay feels good.”
    • “There's some cheeky writing and humor, and the music is pretty cool too.”
  • character development5 mentions

    The character development in the game is highly praised for its stunning pixel art and unique designs, which contribute significantly to the overall worldbuilding and storytelling. Reviewers appreciate how these elements, along with the music, create a cohesive and immersive experience.

    • “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.”
    • “The pixel art is stunning, and the character designs are really cool and unique.”
  • 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 makes repetition in battles enjoyable and strategic, akin to Dark Souls. The game allows for infinite retries, enabling players to refine their strategies without the need for traditional grinding, which is seen as a refreshing change from other JRPGs that often rely on grinding and damage sponges.

    • “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.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, characterized by great music, writing, and engaging characters that enhance immersion. Various weather effects contribute significantly to the overall ambiance, making the world feel alive and dynamic, particularly in the context of 2D pixel art. Despite some minor bugs in the final zones, the overall experience remains enjoyable and atmospheric.

    • “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.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking the depth that would make the world feel alive.”
    • “Despite the potential for a rich environment, the game fails to create a compelling atmosphere, leaving players feeling disconnected.”
    • “The sound design is underwhelming, which detracts significantly from the overall atmosphere and immersion of the game.”
  • stability2 mentions

    The game features enjoyable writing, engaging turn-based combat, and good music; however, it suffers from significant bugs that detract from the overall experience, leading to a lack of recommendation.

    • “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.”
    • “(updated) Unfortunately, the game is really buggy.”
  • replayability1 mentions

    Players find the class lock system offers a mixed experience for replayability; while it encourages multiple playthroughs to explore different quests, it can also be frustrating for those who prefer to complete 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 opportunity to explore different outcomes.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to go back and replay, as the side quests feel repetitive and uninspired.”
  • 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.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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