Rising Star 2
- August 12, 2020
- Gilligames
- 73h median play time
Get on Steam"Rising Star 2" is a rhythm-based game where players create and customize their own virtual popstars to guide them to stardom. With a variety of songs to perform and challenges to complete, players must hone their rhythm and performance skills to rise through the ranks and become a top star. Featuring a vibrant art style and engaging gameplay, "Rising Star 2" allows players to express themselves creatively while competing against others online.
Reviews
- Great potential with a fun gameplay loop that allows players to create and manage their own band.
- The developer is very responsive to feedback and regularly updates the game with new content.
- The song writing mini-game adds a unique and engaging element to the overall experience.
- The game can become repetitive and grindy, especially in the mid to late game.
- Limited customization options for characters and venues can make the experience feel stale.
- Some mechanics, like the random technical issues during gigs, can be frustrating and disrupt the flow of gameplay.
- music295 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 79 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The music aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the innovative song creation mechanics and the ability to import personal music, which adds variety to the gameplay. However, criticisms include repetitive in-game music, a lack of depth in musical styles, and a somewhat grindy experience in song writing and band management. Overall, while the game is enjoyable for music enthusiasts and offers a unique simulation of band life, it could benefit from more diverse musical content and improved mechanics.
“The song crafting mini-game is also really clever and implemented very well.”
“The focus is on the day-to-day logistics of a band writing and recording music, signing record deals, and going on tour.”
“This game is a fantastic musician/band simulator that is loads of fun and very customizable.”
“The soundtrack is quite repetitive after a while, but you can specify your own music in the game menu.”
“After a couple of hours of playing, this gets extremely boring; they literally copy and paste every city, no creative process has been done with the music or the band... the only two things you are supposed to do here are write songs and do stage shows.”
“The internal song writing puzzle game appears to have nothing to do with how popular a song will be, thus there is no skill required.”
- gameplay60 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a simple and addictive loop that evolves as players progress, offering a mix of song creation, gig management, and character customization. While many players appreciate the depth and charm of the mechanics, some express frustration with certain elements that feel repetitive or inconvenient, particularly regarding the game's realism and the automatic assignment of equipment. Overall, the game provides a unique experience for simulation fans, though it may require patience to fully appreciate its intricacies.
“Simple and straightforward gameplay loop that never wears out its welcome.”
“What this game has going for it: an amazing concept, a satisfying gameplay loop.”
“The core gameplay loop is fun and it evolves enough as the situation of your band changes that you are often faced with new experiences.”
“This is so disappointing; we have no guidance, and having a clean gameplay experience is very difficult.”
“Every single mechanic in this game exists only to inconvenience the player, masking artificial gameplay lengtheners under the guise of 'realism.'”
“I desperately want to like this game, but there isn't a single game mechanic that doesn't annoy me in one way or another.”
- grinding39 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its excessive grinding, particularly in the early stages, where progression feels slow and repetitive. While some players find enjoyment in the core gameplay loop and the evolving experiences of managing a band, many agree that the grind can become tedious and overwhelming, especially for those seeking 100% completion or engaging in long tours. Overall, the game appeals to fans of grind-heavy simulations, but may deter those who prefer a more streamlined experience.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“But a big problem with this game is how damn grindy it is.”
“What exists here is a hellscape of continual grinding mixed with maybe the worst UI/UX combo I've ever seen.”
“I had to change my review; this game swallowed my whole existence grinding continental tours for hours on end with mindless clicking and van driving. Buy this game if you have a life to lose.”
- graphics31 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 26 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many users noting that they are basic and could benefit from updates, yet they do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay. While some players appreciate the quirky and charming aesthetic, others find the visuals rough and occasionally problematic on lower-end devices. Overall, the graphics are functional but not a standout feature, with many players prioritizing gameplay over visual fidelity.
“The graphics are decent for a newer game and run very smooth on my Asus ROG laptop.”
“In addition, Rising Star 2 doesn't hide its early 2000's vibes, both graphically and in gameplay, which also adds to the charm.”
“The graphics are fun and clear, the United States is the backdrop, and there are loads of fun things to do.”
“The graphics are poor.”
“Visuals are a tad rough.”
“This game is graphically basic, the soundtrack is repetitive and the interface is clunky.”
- story14 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The game's story is largely seen as lacking depth, with some players expressing a desire for a more structured narrative or story mode to enhance the experience. While the gameplay allows for personal storytelling through band management and side activities, many find the current missions tedious and unengaging. Overall, the potential for a more impactful story is recognized, but it remains underdeveloped in its current form.
“The band's story is just beginning...”
“Gameplay and story are amazing; it does get tedious, but I can see why people play this a lot. Getting those numbers to #1 album is a rush, even if you are booked on a 3-month tour.”
“A strong recommendation for the early game and the story you can create for yourself.”
“☑ no story”
“☐ worst story ever”
“If this game has a story mode it will be more impactful.”
- humor10 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its humor, featuring hilarious clothing options, band and bar names, and amusing song titles and lyrics that resonate particularly well with those familiar with the musician lifestyle. Players appreciate the game's character and creativity, noting that the humor enhances the overall experience, making it enjoyable even for those who may not typically engage with the genre.
“The clothing options are hilarious.”
“You will probably hate this if you've never tried to be in a band before, but you will find tons of hilarious easter eggs all over if you're familiar with the life of a musician.”
“This is a rock band management game with a ton of character and humor.”
- optimization6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's optimization is criticized for needing improvement, particularly in character customization and music options, with players desiring more voice lines and built-in music features. While the game offers a variety of gameplay elements, such as character stats and group dynamics, it requires significant investment to fully develop skills, which can be a barrier for solo players. Overall, users express a desire for enhanced graphics and more interactive features to elevate the experience.
“Struggling from obscurity to international megastars, Rising Star 2 takes into account a variety of factors that lead to great performances, including the quality and state of your equipment, as well as how your band members get along, how much they practice, and the quality and difficulty of the various elements that make up a song.”
“The game starts you out with a character and some characterization options that aren't that great, but honestly you don't spend too much time looking at your character. There are some stats to level up like playing, stage performance, songwriting, repair, business, and production, but doing it all solo will cost money and you won't be able to max out all of the skills. That is why you need at least 2-3 members of your group for the essentials (but still requires you to pay for some services).”
“I would like more voice lines for the DJ and more built-in music options for both the radio and the performances, though you can upload your own song for performances if you want.”
“For one, the game needs to be better optimized.”
“The game starts you out with a character and some characterization options that aren't that great, but honestly you don't spend too much time looking at your character. There are some stats to level up like playing, stage performance, songwriting, repair, business, and production, but doing it all solo will cost money and you won't be able to max out all of the skills. That is why you need at least 2-3 members of your group for the essentials, but it still requires you to pay for some services.”
“More clothes, more interactive performances, better graphics, etc., but I have to admit that there would never be enough to satiate me.”
- stability5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- -40 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is praised, with many users noting it is nearly bug-free and a refreshing change from other early access titles. While there are minor annoyances and some interface design issues, the developer is actively addressing concerns and adding features, contributing to a generally positive experience.
“This game is nearly bug-free, at least for me.”
“The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes.”
“I appreciate how smooth the gameplay is; it runs flawlessly on my system.”
“It's a breath of fresh air considering some of the latest buggy, hot garbage that gets labeled 'early access' or worse, releasing it too early for a quick cash grab from the company looking for cash, not quality.”
“A bit buggy and a few poor choices in interface design for the price, but worth the time to play.”
“No glitches so far, but a few annoyances: the van you drive around is extremely slow, drumsticks and strings break really fast, unlike in real life (I'm a former college death metal drummer and I never broke drumsticks that fast), the moneymaking chores get tedious and only one band member can do them, which limits your income potential.”
- replayability5 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 20 % neutral mentions
- 40 % negative mentions
The game offers high replayability due to numerous customization options and new features introduced by Todd Gillissie, enhancing the overall experience. However, some players feel that after completing the adventure, there is limited variation for subsequent playthroughs.
“Yet another reason this game has tons of replay value.”
“High replay value and lots of little ways to customize your experience.”
“But once I played the adventure, I do not see much variation in replayability.”
“Todd Gillissie has expanded the original game with a ton of new features that make the game infinitely more playable and replayable.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a blatant cash grab, with users expressing frustration over developers prioritizing profit over quality, especially in the context of recent poorly executed early access titles.
“Complete and utter cash grab from the developers.”
“It's a breath of fresh air considering some of the latest buggy, hot garbage that gets labeled 'early access' or worse, releasing it too early for a quick cash grab from the company looking for cash, not quality.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in "Bullet for the Baritone" is enhanced by the collaboration of four vocalists and a keyboardist, creating a rich and immersive soundscape that captivates players.
“Bullet for the Baritone features four vocalists and a keyboardist to create immersive atmospheric sounds.”
“The game's atmosphere is hauntingly beautiful, drawing players into its world with every note.”
“The combination of music and visuals creates a captivating atmosphere that keeps you engaged throughout.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game deeply impactful, particularly when faced with the irreversible consequences of losing a band member to arrest due to financial constraints. The heartbreak of not having enough cash to bail them out adds a layer of tension and urgency, emphasizing the importance of resource management in maintaining relationships within the game.
“Keeping a balance of cash is crucial; losing a band member to arrest and not having the money to save them is irreversible and heartbreaking. The only way to prevent this is to have the cash to bail them out.”
