Keylocker | Turn Based Cyberpunk Action
- September 18, 2024
- Moonana
Get on Steam"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
Playstation 5
Windows
Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation
Xbox
Reviews
- Keylocker features a unique blend of rhythm mechanics and turn-based combat, providing a refreshing change of pace in the RPG genre.
- The game boasts stunning pixel art, a vibrant soundtrack, and engaging character designs that enhance the overall experience.
- Players appreciate the forgiving battle system that allows for quick restarts, making it easier to learn and master the challenging combat mechanics.
- The game's difficulty can be punishing, particularly with strict timing mechanics that may frustrate players who struggle with quick reflexes.
- There are numerous bugs and technical issues that hinder gameplay, including crashes and broken quests, which detract from the overall experience.
- Some players find the story and character motivations to be disjointed or lacking depth, leading to moments of confusion during gameplay.
- music62 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 5 % 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 is described as a perfect blend of styles, fitting the game's themes and contributing significantly to its atmosphere. Players appreciate the unique musical elements woven into the gameplay, although some express frustration with certain rhythm-based mechanics that interrupt the flow of the music.
“The music in Keylocker is absolutely phenomenal, though I’d push back on it having 'rhythm-game elements'.”
“The soundtrack, oh boy, the soundtrack, it's by far, miles ahead of anything Moonana (elektrobear) has composed so far; a game that revolves around music surely needed music to be banger after banger, and boy, it delivers.”
“The strongest of these three must be the music (a game about music has great music, surprise, surprise) which was composed by Elektrobear & features Psamathes, really combining to create all sorts of powerful soundscapes fitting the game's cyberpunk dystopian themes.”
“I could talk about some of the design issues I had, like there being no consistency in if you can jump up/down a ledge or not, or there being no option to adjust music volume during the guitar hero-esque sections.”
“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 soundtrack, oh boy, the soundtrack, it's by far miles ahead of anything moonana (elektrobear) has composed so far. A game that revolves around music surely needed music to be banger after banger, and boy it delivers.”
- story43 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 70 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story of "Keylocker" is generally well-received, featuring engaging characters and a humorous tone, though it can be somewhat generic and lacks cohesion at times. Players appreciate the branching paths and multiple endings, but some quests are reported as buggy, impacting progression. The integration of music into the narrative is a standout feature, enhancing the overall experience despite some rhythm sections not affecting the story's outcome.
“The story also accounts for this, with there being clear story paths that are only available for, for example, hackers or terminators.”
“The story seems engaging thus far.”
“The writing and story of Keylocker has many different tones, but only in a very few sections did I feel that it was disjointed or poorly done.”
“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.”
“Having finished the game, I can safely say the story was pretty rough.”
- gameplay36 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 58 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Keylocker is a unique blend of rhythm mechanics and RPG elements, offering a challenging yet rewarding experience that requires precise timing and skill. While the learning curve can be steep and some mechanics may frustrate players, those who persevere will find a captivating and innovative combat system complemented by a vibrant soundtrack and engaging story. Overall, the game is praised for its originality and depth, though it may not appeal to those who prefer a more casual gaming experience.
“Keylocker is a wonderful twist on the RPG style of gameplay with a nice tie-in with the use of rhythm mechanics.”
“It's very demanding in terms of combat mechanics, but also very satisfying to get the perfect timings right.”
“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.”
“I have one complaint about this game and that is its teeth-grinding difficulty, mostly due to the inconsistency of the parry mechanic.”
“Game looks cool and has great mood but sadly gameplay is infuriating.”
“This game is not for the weak-spirited; if you're up for the challenge and learn the mechanics the game has to offer, I'm sure you'll have a great time after learning the game's mechanics. However, if you're not good with timings or are easily frustrated, then this game won't be for you.”
- graphics16 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 56 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their vibrant and colorful art style, featuring stunning pixel art and detailed spritework that bring the characters and dystopian setting to life. Reviewers highlight the seamless integration of visuals with the music and overall aesthetic, making it one of the most artistically ambitious indie games, with a refreshing UI and charming character designs. The combination of imaginative ideas and a strong artistic vision positions it as a standout title in its genre.
“The game has a really great aesthetic - both with its art design and music, both of which are amazing.”
“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.”
“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.”
“Moonana's games always draw me in with the promise of refreshing UI and charming character artwork.”
“One of the most artistically ambitious and aesthetically pleasing, easiest GOTY contenders, so full of risk-taking and imaginative ideas.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its clever and cheeky humor, with characters and situations that balance comedic moments with serious undertones, enhancing the overall experience. Reviewers appreciate the unique writing style and the integration of humor into the gameplay, contributing to a distinctive atmosphere. The combination of a good soundtrack and engaging RPG elements further complements the humorous aspects, making it a standout title.
“The story overall is pretty good and humorous.”
“There's some cheeky writing and humor, and the music is pretty cool too.”
“Sometimes the characters & 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 development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviewers praise the character development for its stunning pixel art and unique designs, which enhance the overall storytelling and worldbuilding. The combination of visual aesthetics, music, and gameplay contributes to a cohesive and immersive experience that resonates with players.
“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
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative 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.”
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
While the game features enjoyable writing, engaging turn-based combat, and good music, 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.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % 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 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 various platforms, making it accessible to a wider audience.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -300 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Reviewers highlight that the inclusion of diverse weather effects significantly enhances the atmosphere and immersion of the game, particularly in 2D pixel art titles like Keylocker. This attention to detail is seen as a crucial element that enriches the overall gaming experience.
“The various weather effects in the game add to the atmosphere and immersion, which is especially important for 2D pixel art games like Keylocker.”
“The game's atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing players into its beautifully crafted world.”
“Every location feels alive, with the atmospheric details enhancing the overall experience and making exploration a joy.”
“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.”
