Rift of the Necrodancer

About

Rift of the Necrodancer is a single player arcade role playing game with a comedy theme. It was developed by Tic Toc Games and was released on February 5, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

The NecroDancer's back in a brand new rhythm game spinoff! Help Cadence navigate the modern world while repairing the rifts that have torn her life apart. Do rhythmic battle via rift mode, minigames, and boss battles! All to the beat of a brand new soundtrack from Danny Baranowsky & friends.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

95%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,697 reviews

music628 positive mentions

grinding9 negative mentions

Innovative gameplay that combines rhythm mechanics with unique enemy patterns, making it a fresh experience in the genre.
Fantastic soundtrack featuring a variety of artists, with many catchy and memorable tracks.
Great community support through Steam Workshop, allowing for endless custom content and replayability.

The readability of notes can be overwhelming, especially on higher difficulties, making it difficult for players to sight-read effectively.
Some players find the story mode and mini-games lackluster and not engaging enough compared to the main gameplay.
The game can feel punishingly difficult, particularly for newcomers to rhythm games, leading to frustration rather than enjoyment.

music
1,484 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
56%
2%
The music in "Rift of the Necrodancer" has received widespread acclaim for its high quality and variety, featuring a mix of original tracks and remixes from notable composers like Danny Baranowsky. Players appreciate the catchy and engaging soundtrack, which enhances the gameplay experience, although some have noted that the difficulty can make it challenging to fully enjoy the music. The inclusion of custom song support through Steam Workshop further enriches the musical experience, allowing players to explore a vast array of tracks beyond the base game. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's appeal.
- “The music is phenomenal and the gameplay/minigames are amazing.”
- “The soundtrack is fantastic, it gets at all of what I loved about Crypt of the Necrodancer's soundtrack and more.”
- “The music is so good, I can't wait to listen to it so often until I can't stand it anymore.”
- “As a guitar hero veteran who plays on expert, this game kicked my ass. This game feels like reading sheet music that moves; it's really difficult, and I beat the game on hard. The hardest difficulty is called impossible.”
- “Extremely hard to read at first, and it's very telling that most people on the workshop don't know how to chart songs properly to every beat in the song. But other than that, it's pretty damn good and visually pleasing when you get used to it.”
- “The only downside is the limited song list in the base game.”
gameplay
473 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
46%
53%
1%
The gameplay of "Rift of the Necrodancer" is characterized by its innovative mechanics that transform traditional rhythm game elements into a unique experience, where notes are represented by enemies with distinct behaviors. Players find the gameplay engaging and addictive, though it can be challenging due to the need for memorization and pattern recognition. The combination of a captivating soundtrack, charming visuals, and varied difficulty levels makes it appealing to both newcomers and veterans of the rhythm game genre.
- “The gameplay does take some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, everything becomes simple and easy.”
- “The mechanics are enjoyable to learn and keep track of, base game charts are really well done and the music by Danny Baranowsky is always a treat to listen to.”
- “Unique, charming, and incredibly fun rhythm game with gameplay that never really gets old.”
- “The gameplay is confusing.”
- “The art is nice, the animations are nice, the music is awesome, but the gameplay is what ruins it for me after only about 20 minutes of playing.”
- “The gameplay might feel a bit off if you're used to traditional rhythm games, but if you can get used to it, I think they handled the crossover between Crypt of the Necrodancer and more standard rhythm games very well.”
story
446 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The story in "Rift of the Necrodancer" is generally viewed as simple and somewhat predictable, serving primarily as a vehicle to connect the game's rhythm gameplay and song list. While some players appreciate its charm and humor, many feel it lacks depth and complexity, often describing it as a light-hearted addition rather than a focal point of the experience. The inclusion of rhythm-based mini-games and boss battles adds variety, but the overall narrative is often considered secondary to the engaging gameplay and soundtrack.
- “The story mode is really fun, and I haven't gotten to community levels but those are probably fantastic as well.”
- “The story is cute and well done, but can get a little samey near the latter half.”
- “The story mode provides some unrefined, extraneous goodies, but that's honestly just icing when the main game is so damn good.”
- “The weakest part of the game is the story mode, while the core group of characters are great, the side characters have infinite amounts of wasted potential and their story arcs make no sense.”
- “The story is completely predictable and uninteresting and I'm not really sure why the game even has one.”
- “The story mode is short and is more of a sampler for the songs in the base game.”
graphics
166 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
54%
44%
2%
The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim for their vibrant, charming art style and smooth animations, which enhance the overall experience. Many players appreciate the expressive character designs and the way visuals sync with the music, contributing to the game's unique identity. Overall, the visuals are described as beautiful and polished, making the game visually appealing and engaging.
- “Absolutely amazing game, the music is great, the visuals are wonderful and fully completing it is actually challenging.”
- “The visuals are beautiful, every little aspect of the game down to the enemy's animations have so much life, all of the little details with the backgrounds, this game is truly one of the best I've played in a while.”
- “The art style is beautiful, the OST slaps, and it has engaging gameplay with notes that have different patterns.”
- “I played the original Crypt of the Necrodancer, and I did enjoy it, but other than the artwork and animation, I wasn't super excited for this game.”
- “I even tried to ignore the visuals and hit the notes on the beat, but I still kept missing.”
- “I've given a negative review, not because I hate the game, there is nothing wrong with the game outside of the visuals clarity and of course the annoying elements since it's using a mixture of up, down, left, right using all (4) and then sometimes just (3) making it annoying to follow along.”
replayability
54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
44%
6%
The game boasts exceptional replayability, primarily due to its extensive customization options, including a workshop for user-generated content, a remix mode that alters song charts, and various difficulty levels. Players can enjoy near-infinite replay value through custom tracks, daily challenges, and leaderboards, making it particularly appealing for rhythm game enthusiasts. While some players find the remix mode less compelling than the original charts, the overall content and community support ensure a robust replay experience.
- “The ability of the community to create their own charts means endless replayability, and the leaderboards are an ambition that lives rent-free in my head.”
- “The custom songs feature will give this years of replay value, and even without using that the game feels polished, complete and fun to play.”
- “The replayability of this game is absurd.”
- “Cool storyline, and the game tries hard to be replayable, but there really isn't any replayability to this.”
- “The remix mode as an attempt to add replayability is kinda weak, too.”
humor
29 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players finding the minigames and story elements to be both hilarious and engaging. The quirky characters, amusing writing, and entertaining scenarios, such as an immortal lich flipping burgers, contribute to a lighthearted and enjoyable experience. Overall, the game's blend of funny visuals, catchy music, and clever humor makes it a standout in the rhythm game genre.
- “Characters are adorable with their low frame animations, monsters add a ton to the gameplay, and the minigames are just way too funny.”
- “On top of all, the game has a hilarious story, cute art, and funny minigames.”
- “Just the concept of some sort of immortal lich flipping burgers is hilarious to me.”
character development
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
52%
37%
11%
Character development in the game is highly praised for its charming and stylish designs, which have been updated to a more polished art style compared to previous installments. Players appreciate the variety and expressiveness of the character designs, along with the engaging story mode and voice acting, although some find the dialogue simplistic. Overall, the attention to detail in character design and animation contributes significantly to the game's appeal and enjoyment.
- “A lot of passion was clearly poured into every aspect of this game - from the banger soundtrack to the charming character design and smooth animation - and it just makes me happy.”
- “The art in general really stands out to me, I love the way that these character designs have been updated both to fit their new setting but also just carrying them into an art style more polished than the distinctly 2010s indie look of the original, lots of fun expressions to be seen here.”
- “The story mode is cute and the character designs are gorgeous, not to mention the excellent voice acting.”
- “This game as a whole has no connection to its previous installment other than character design.”
- “I came to play a rhythm game and I didn't find myself interested in the very simplistic dialogue and character design.”
- “The art and character designs are incredibly charming but the writing is a bit forgettable.”
grinding
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect of the game. While some appreciate the challenge and find enjoyment in the process of mastering songs, others feel that the grinding can become tedious and detracts from the overall experience, especially when it involves memorization and repetitive practice. Overall, the game is seen as heavily reliant on grinding, which may not appeal to all players, particularly those who prefer a more varied gameplay experience.
- “Some Steam achievements for this game are way too hard and challenging, while others are a bit grindy... no way I'm getting them all.”
- “The first month that I played, I loved almost every song, but after starting to grind for full combos, I started to hate many of them.”
- “It's a game that's very reliant on memorization and learning the song at a high level of play, which I don't find interesting. I cleared the story on hard in about 4 hours, and now I'm left with the tedious task of trying to drill the impossible charts into my brain one at a time.”
monetization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization model in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the value of the DLC packs, which offer additional content for a reasonable price. However, many users express frustration over intrusive advertisements on the song select screen and feel misled by promotional materials that suggest a more straightforward purchase experience. Overall, while the content is praised, the aggressive marketing tactics detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “Why are they advertising DLC packs to me on the song select screen?”
- “Just Dance, Rock Band, etc. but it can be a bit of a surprise for someone to buy an indie game after seeing a social media post advertising the crossover, only to realize they have yet another purchase to make after they finish the story mode.”
- “The promotional material, ads, trailer, tags, description say it is, but that's all a ruse.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a deep emotional connection to the game, highlighting a sense of personal growth and nostalgia as they relearn rhythm mechanics. The intensity of experiences, such as crying during pivotal moments like the reaper boss fight, underscores the game's ability to evoke strong feelings and resonate with players on a personal level. Overall, the game is praised for its heartfelt design and timing, contributing to a meaningful gaming experience.
- “I cried during the reaper boss fight.”
- “A heartfelt thanks to Brace Yourself Games and Klei for giving us another winner at just the right time.”
- “Just going for all S's on medium has really made me feel like I have improved a ton from where I started 24 play hours ago.”
optimization
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
60%
The game's optimization has raised concerns among users, particularly regarding performance issues and a subpar controller adaptation compared to keyboard controls. While the gameplay is enjoyable and offers innovative mechanics, players are wary of potential strain on their PCs. However, the game does provide a unique feature that suggests performance tweaks based on gameplay, which is a positive aspect amidst the optimization challenges.
- “But the genius part comes after, where it gives you a bit of gameplay and based on your performance suggests to tweak it a little one way or the other.”
- “Tons of content at release with no such performance issues is a rare sight these days.”
- “The game is good, I see many new mechanics compared to the testing, but the optimization is very worrisome - I don't want to kill my PC despite the gameplay being good.”
- “I don't get why they optimized it for keyboard... playing with a controller feels really weird and I don't like the adaptation.”
- “Performance issues.”
stability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's stability is frequently criticized, with users reporting persistent freezes, stutters, and lag during gameplay sessions. While some appreciate the quick replay options and practice modes, the overall experience is marred by high graphic demands that lead to crashes and the need for system restarts.
- “Everything runs great, and it's so quick to replay a level if you mess up. I really appreciate the practice modes where you can go over a section you're stuck on or slow the tempo down to see what's going on.”
- “Can't forget the freezes and stutters that plague the game.”
- “I experience lag and freezes, and it's not occasional; it's pretty much every time I have a play session.”
- “High-graphic requirement games I can no longer play without enduring crashes and freezes that force me to restart my PC.”

Skip Game Offers

Buy Rift of the Necrodancer

11h Median play time

69h Average play time

4-100h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Rift of the Necrodancer

99%11.5kreviews

Rhythm Doctor

2021

Action Adventure

+11

95%14.8kreviews

A Dance of Fire and Ice

2019

Action

+10

98%4.5kreviews

Spin Rhythm XD

2023

Action

90%7kreviews

Melatonin

2022

Arcade Puzzle

89%11.3kreviews

Crypt of the NecroDancer

2015

Casual Role Playing

+14

More games like Rift of the Necrodancer

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Rift of the Necrodancer is a arcade role playing game with comedy theme.

Rift of the Necrodancer is available on Nintendo Switch, PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 69 hours playing Rift of the Necrodancer.

Rift of the Necrodancer was released on February 5, 2025.

Rift of the Necrodancer was developed by Tic Toc Games.

Rift of the Necrodancer has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its music but disliked it for its grinding.

Rift of the Necrodancer is a single player game.

Similar games include Rhythm Doctor, A Dance of Fire and Ice, Spin Rhythm XD, Melatonin, Crypt of the NecroDancer and others.

Rift of the Necrodancer

Platforms

Buy Rift of the Necrodancer