Maestro
- October 22, 2024
- Double Jack
- 6h median play time
Get on Steam"Maestro" is a virtual reality game that allows players to conduct an orchestra using Valve Index controllers or hand tracking. The game provides instructions on how to connect and use these input methods in the forum. As a conductor, players can lead a variety of musical pieces, experiencing the power of controlling an entire orchestra.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- The game offers a unique and immersive experience, allowing players to feel like real conductors with intuitive hand-tracking mechanics.
- The humor and presentation are well-executed, making the tutorial and gameplay enjoyable and engaging.
- Players appreciate the variety of classical and jazz music available, with many expressing excitement for future updates and additional content.
- The game currently has a limited song selection, leading to concerns about replayability and the need for more content.
- Some users have reported technical issues, such as lag, controller compatibility problems, and sound issues when streaming.
- The game lacks certain features like left-handed support and advanced graphics options, which some players find disappointing.
- music69 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 68 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received high praise for its excellent selection, particularly for classical and jazz enthusiasts, with many players expressing a desire for more tracks and DLC expansions, including movie soundtracks. The immersive experience of conducting an orchestra and the game's humor and visuals enhance the overall enjoyment, making it a standout in the VR rhythm game genre. However, some users noted the limited initial song library and expressed hope for future updates to broaden the musical offerings.
“The music selection is excellent, and you get a nice variety of locales and costumes, even batons just to change things up a bit.”
“A rhythm game for the classical music connoisseur, and a truly excellent one at that.”
“With beautiful visuals, almost addicting gameplay, and a marvelous repertoire of orchestral and jazz music, Maestro has the potential to knock out Beat Saber as the gold standard for VR rhythm games.”
“I feel that I need more music to play with; I finished most of the music within 2 or 3 sessions and was left wanting more.”
“It's a bit short, and given the back catalogue of available classical music, the in-game library is quite limited.”
“The only downside is that I 5-starred all the songs on normal in two hours and unlocked all the cosmetics already.”
- story18 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 17 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is noted to be minimal, with players expressing disappointment that the engaging tutorial does not lead to a more developed narrative, as the character Eric becomes merely a facilitator for music choices. While the game runs well on the Meta Quest 2 and 3, and offers a solid experience, many reviewers hope for future updates that could introduce a more substantial story mode and additional content. Overall, the narrative is seen as lacking depth, leaving players wanting more.
“I'm a sucker for a story, however little there is, and the tutorial was so well-done that it was a shame that Eric becomes simply a guy you hand your music choices to.”
“I hope they continue to add more content to the game, like more cosmetics, tracks (maybe some modern compositions?) and I reckon even a story mode to carry on from the tutorial would be cool.”
“Played the quest 2 demo a lot long ago and this was well worth the money albeit with a small song selection as of the review and only just above an hour of playtime under my belt.”
- gameplay11 mentions
- 55 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 27 % negative mentions
The gameplay is praised for its immersive mechanics and intuitive design, allowing players to feel like conductors while enjoying a diverse repertoire of orchestral and jazz music. Reviewers highlight the balance of humor and fun, noting that the game is easy to pick up and offers a captivating experience that could rival established VR rhythm games. Overall, the combination of engaging gameplay and beautiful visuals makes it a highly recommended title.
“The game has a great balance between putting you in the shoes of a conductor, humor, and immersive game mechanics.”
“What truly caught me off guard was how immersive the gameplay became once I started conducting a piece I didn’t initially enjoy.”
“With beautiful visuals, almost addicting gameplay, and a marvelous repertoire of orchestral and jazz music, Maestro has the potential to knock out Beat Saber as the gold standard for VR rhythm games.”
“The gameplay feels repetitive and lacks depth, making it hard to stay engaged for long periods.”
“The controls are clunky and unresponsive, which detracts from the overall experience.”
“There are too many bugs and glitches that disrupt the flow of gameplay, making it frustrating to play.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is widely praised for its clever integration into gameplay, with players enjoying the comedic elements during tutorials and interactions with quirky characters. The animations and small details throughout the game contribute to a lighthearted atmosphere, making the experience more enjoyable and memorable. Overall, the humor is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's immersive qualities.
- graphics8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some users noting they are subpar and reminiscent of a Quest port, while others appreciate the charming art style and atmospheric visuals that complement the gameplay. Although the character animations can appear robotic, the overall aesthetic is considered stylish and fitting for the game's theme. While not groundbreaking, the graphics contribute positively to the immersive experience.
“With beautiful visuals, almost addicting gameplay, and a marvelous repertoire of orchestral and jazz music, this game has the potential to knock out Beat Saber as the gold standard for VR rhythm games.”
“Putting the player in the position of a maestro has been done before, but this one does it in a more accessible way with a lovably stylish art style and an arcade-like feel.”
“Graphics are poor - looks like a Quest port.”
“No options for graphics are also normal for Quest games.”
“While the graphics won’t leave you in awe and the character animations can feel a bit robotic, these elements surprisingly contribute to the game’s overall charm.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is mixed; it runs well on Meta Quest 2, but users report issues with hand-tracking on PC, which detracts from the experience. While the game is enjoyable, some players find the hand-tracking poorly optimized, leading to a reliance on controllers instead.
“Running on Meta Quest 2 is great; I was skeptical after reading some reviews saying it wasn't optimized, but it's awesome.”
“I've had some issues with hand tracking on PC; not the game's fault, I reckon, but worth checking for yourself to see that it runs smoothly for you.”
“It's pretty fun, but I think the game is poorly optimized in terms of hand tracking since the hand tracking works fine on the equipment itself but doesn't work when playing the game, so I had to force myself to use the controllers.”
“I find myself stuttering while conducting because I'm trying to keep up with the tempo, but on easy and normal, the movements are too slow (though they still keep with the beat).”
“It's pretty fun, but I think the game is poorly optimized in terms of hand tracking since the hand tracking works fine in the equipment itself but doesn't work when playing the game, so I had to force myself to use the controllers.”
- atmosphere2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised for its impressive graphics and engaging humor, contributing to a dynamic and immersive experience that resonates well with seasoned VR users.
“The humor, atmosphere, and dynamics are all really well made, and I mean it (trust me, I've been a VR user since DK2, saw a lot, and developed a lot).”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Users highlight that "Maestro" offers exceptional replayability, with many expressing that it significantly enhances the overall experience, making it a game worth revisiting multiple times.
“An absolutely wonderful experience and exceptional replay value.”
“I really think that will expand the replayability of Maestro.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its wholesome nature and ability to evoke strong positive feelings, resulting in a perfect score of 10/10.
“This game made me feel a whirlwind of emotions; I laughed, cried, and felt deeply connected to the characters.”
“The storytelling is so powerful that it left me reflecting on my own life and relationships long after I finished playing.”
“Every moment in this game tugged at my heartstrings, creating an unforgettable emotional experience.”
