Phase Shift

About

"Phase Shift" is a musical rhythm game that allows for local and online multiplayer, supporting 2 players in co-op and PvP modes. It features a range of game modes, including single-player, vs multiplayer, and party modes such as last man standing and weakest link. The game offers compatibility with a variety of MIDI and USB instruments, including drum kits, guitars, and keyboards, with different levels of complexity.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Local Multi-Player Play with friends in the same physical space using split-screen or multiple screens
2-Players Play with one other player, either online or locally, in a cooperative or competitive game mode
Multi-Player Compete or cooperate with other players online
Co-Op Team up with friends to complete levels or missions together
Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo
PvP Player versus Player - Fight against other players in real-time, often in arena-style combat
Split Screen Play with multiple players on the same screen, often with divided or shared screen real estate

71%

Audience ScoreBased on 93 reviews

music6 positive mentions

monetization1 negative mentions

Phase Shift offers extensive support for various instruments, including drums and MIDI controllers, making it a versatile choice for rhythm game enthusiasts.
The game allows for customization with themes and the ability to import songs from older games, providing a nostalgic experience for fans of the genre.
The online multiplayer functionality is well-implemented, allowing players to enjoy the game with friends and a community of rhythm game fans.

The game has not received updates in a long time, leading to concerns about developer abandonment and lack of communication with the community.
There is no support for .chart files, which limits the availability of songs and makes it difficult for players to use their existing libraries from other games like Clone Hero.
The user interface and overall presentation are considered clunky and outdated, detracting from the overall experience of the game.

music
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
88%
4%
The music aspect of the game is highly praised for its extensive customization options, allowing players to import a vast array of songs from older rhythm games and the internet, which significantly enhances the gameplay experience. However, the default soundtrack is considered lackluster, and users have noted issues with song navigation and visibility, as well as the absence of certain features like vocal support and effective song sorting. Overall, while the community-driven content is a major strength, the game still faces challenges in song accessibility and presentation.
- “What can you say about Phase Shift? For all the independent rhythm games out there after Guitar Hero, Rock Band, etc., this is the most fun and promising rhythm game to play. You can download custom songs and easily add them; custom themes are also available at the Phase Shift forum, and you will just have a very good time with it.”
- “The community for this game is extremely active, and I have installed well over 1,000 songs now from previous Rock Band and Guitar Hero games onto it, ready for full band play.”
- “The song selection is nice and diverse, with very talented artists creating a wide range of songs.”
- “I only wish it were easier to access songs for it.”
- “The song sorting is a mess, which basically means that the song list is going to be messy to navigate, especially when lots of songs are added.”
- “Mp3 files aren't supported, making importing songs a big pain for users.”
graphics
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
45%
27%
The graphics of the game feature customizable themes, allowing for varied visuals, though many consider this a novelty. Performance is generally solid, even on lower-end hardware, with smooth visuals and no significant lag, except for occasional issues when displaying new graphics. However, the user interface is criticized for being rough and lacking personality, leading to a mixed overall impression.
- “The game runs at a solid 60 fps with basically all graphics settings turned off (minus v-sync) and a resolution of 1366x768.”
- “Visuals are smooth, no performance issues, works with content I already had from other Phase Shift versions.”
- “Graphics - 7/10 - as many people pointed out over the years (especially from outside the PS community), the UI is very rough and lacking in personality.”
- “There's custom theme support, so you can have notes and backgrounds and visuals that vary wildly, but I think it's really only a novelty at best.”
- “After launching the game and playing a song, the first time you get a star, the game lags out while it... I don't know, displays the new graphic in the OSD?”
- “Both the GH:WOR and GH3 themes that I have don't have anything for the 'recovery' after you lose a heart, meaning a dummy graphic loads instead and it's very annoying.”
gameplay
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
50%
The gameplay is highly regarded for its effective keyboard mechanics, making it accessible for newcomers, especially those transitioning from instruments like guitar. It offers a variety of features such as tap notes and chord hopos, though players should note some differences compared to other rhythm games. Overall, it receives a strong rating of 9/10, though communication during gameplay is not supported.
- “A great tool for getting used to a keyboard and its mechanics. (I'm a guitar player, so keys are something I'm not fully used to yet.)”
- “Support for multiple gameplay features such as tap notes, chord hopos, and even lanes (though don't expect chord hopos to work like in CH or lanes to work like in RB3).”
- “Gameplay - 9/10 - of course, the main focus of the game.”
- “Support for multiple gameplay features such as tap notes, chord hopos, and even lanes, though don't expect chord hopos to work like in CH or lanes to work like in RB3.”
- “Players cannot communicate during gameplay.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
150%
50%
User feedback on optimization is mixed; while some report smooth visuals and no performance issues with existing content, others experience problems with note registration and overall performance.
- “The visuals are smooth, with no performance issues, and it works seamlessly with content I already had from other phase shift versions.”
- “The optimization is impressive, allowing for a fluid gaming experience even with high graphical settings.”
- “I appreciate how well the game runs on my system; the optimization really enhances the overall gameplay experience.”
- “The notes don't register when I hit them, and the overall performance is poor.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Overall, users report that the game runs smoothly and without issues, indicating a high level of stability.
- “It runs great.”
atmosphere
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere in the game is noted to be lacking, as players feel that the absence of live band performances, lighting effects, and other immersive elements detracts from the overall experience, despite the option to add custom background videos.
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users find the humor in the game to be enjoyable and entertaining, highlighting its comedic elements positively.
- “Y'all are funny.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game is perceived as a cash grab, leading users to express disappointment and skepticism about the developers' intentions with the revenue generated.
- “Unless you want to play drums, don't bother with this game as it seems like a pretty big cash grab right now. I hope the people behind Phase Shift put all that money to good use.”
grinding
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious, particularly in online multiplayer, where the experience is hampered by the skill disparity among participants. Despite its unique features, the enjoyment is diminished by the repetitive nature of gameplay.