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RUBATO

RUBATO Game Cover
99%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding
99% User Score Based on 143 reviews

Platforms

Nintendo SwitchXbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5XboxSteam DeckWindowsPlayStation
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RUBATO Game Cover

About

RUBATO is a single player role playing game with a comedy theme. It was developed by dconn and was released on March 20, 2026. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

A collect-a-thon about a frog fixing the solar system after it explodes for some reason.

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RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
RUBATO screenshot
+4
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99%
Audience ScoreBased on 143 reviews
story10 positive mentions
  • Rubato is an incredibly unique and emotionally engaging 2D physics-based platformer with a compelling, surreal story that mixes humor and existential themes.
  • The game's art style, soundtrack, and presentation are outstanding, creating a dream-like, psychedelic atmosphere that complements the narrative and gameplay.
  • Gameplay is fun and satisfying with intuitive controls, varied minigames, clever physics mechanics, and a strong collectathon element that keeps players engaged.
  • The story pacing can feel rushed or uneven, with sudden shifts in tone that sometimes clash and some early emotional moments feeling unearned.
  • The game lacks certain quality-of-life features, such as better maps, accessibility options to reduce flashing effects, and more polish in hitboxes and some gameplay segments.
  • Some players may find the humor and art style off-putting or not to their taste, and certain minigames or collection tasks can feel repetitive or chore-like.
  • story
    40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of the game is widely praised for its unique blend of humor, emotional depth, and existential themes, drawing comparisons to titles like Undertale and Cave Story. It features a fast-paced, surreal narrative with psychedelic visuals and tonal shifts that evoke both laughter and heartfelt moments, making it a standout and memorable experience. Some users noted occasional pacing issues and mixed reactions to the story's style, but overall, it is regarded as a compelling and artful centerpiece of the game.

    • “Truly remarkable work of art with great gameplay, outstanding art direction, beautiful soundtrack and an unforgettable story.”
    • “Rubato has the insane ability to make you laugh and cry at rapidly shifting intervals, with an intense and intricate story hidden deep within its folds.”
    • “The plot, while light at first, was a real rollercoaster of emotions and experimental storytelling choices; it's by far the highlight of it all.”
    • “The story is very fast paced; there isn't much time for things to really set in, and it seems to be more of a forward motion kind of deal. I'm more mixed about this choice than negative.”
    • “But I didn’t care for the story at all.”
    • “Damn near nothing about the story landed for me.”
  • gameplay
    25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of this game is praised for its slick platforming controls, creative level design, and enjoyable exploration, blending unique mechanics with symbolic storytelling. It offers a fun, lighthearted, and experimental experience that stands out from typical platformers, though some find parts of the core loop slightly less impactful. Overall, it delivers a deeply enjoyable and innovative gameplay experience that complements its art and narrative.

    • “At the very least, the slick platforming controls, along with the variety of quirky situations and gameplay shifts you encounter in finding collectables, help to make exploring areas very enjoyable.”
    • “The platforming itself is really fun once you get the hang of the tongue mechanics and the alternate weapons.”
    • “Blending Super Mario Odyssey’s moon hunting and Part Time UFO’s art style/physics-based gameplay with Undertale’s storytelling, this wild ride of a game takes 2D platforming to a field more commonly explored by its 3D counterparts.”
    • “However, Rubato also breaks many conventions of its genre, achieving a variety of surprising set pieces and comedy sketches, even if the core gameplay loop turns a bit watered down in the process.”
    • “It makes sense that the gameplay would be understated because I believe this is a game developed for the sake of its story, where mechanics are meant to be symbolic.”
    • “☐ it's just gameplay”
  • humor
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is quirky, often bizarre and lighthearted, blending internet-style randomness with genuine emotional moments. While some players found the humor hit-or-miss, many appreciated its uniqueness and how it balances silliness with a sincere, heartfelt narrative. Overall, the comedic elements add a fun and refreshing layer that complements the game's emotional depth.

    • “Rubato is an incredibly unique game which carries a fun, lighthearted humor with simple but fun gameplay which punches you in the gut at the end with the tonal whiplash of a lifetime from its oddly emotional story.”
    • “"Rubato world" is fake, it's funny, but these characters are real - they still experience pain, loss, emotion without being cheap jokes themselves and I think it's a small miracle the game is able to balance its tone like that without it completely falling apart.”
    • “Bizarre, funny, heartfelt, and above all just a really fun platformer that never stops surprising you.”
  • music
    17 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in this game is widely praised as exceptional and deeply integral to the experience, featuring a beautiful, memorable, and often experimental soundtrack that complements the art and storytelling. While some note limited musical variety in certain areas, the overall composition and presentation stand out as a highlight, enhancing the emotional and psychedelic atmosphere.

    • “Truly remarkable work of art with great gameplay, outstanding art direction, beautiful soundtrack and an unforgettable story.”
    • “Rubato is an experimental, 2D physics-based take on the collect-a-thon genre... and it also includes probably one of my favorite video game soundtracks in recent memory, seriously amazing stuff.”
    • “Soundtrack is really good, so much hidden deep content even in the starting area!”
    • “Each area except the forest has only one musical track; it could use some additional tracks for variety.”
    • “If you read this review, I’d recommend checking out positive ones to see why people liked it because – other than the music – I am not sure what I was supposed to enjoy.”
    • “Rubato is a video game about everything other than actual musical rubato.”
  • emotional
    13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Rubato blends quirky, internet-style humor with a deeply emotional and honest narrative, creating a unique and sometimes tonally jarring experience that feels genuine and impactful. While its abrupt shifts can occasionally feel unearned, the game ultimately delivers heartfelt, thought-provoking moments that resonate strongly with players. Fans appreciate its ability to surprise, amuse, and move them emotionally throughout.

    • “Rubato is an incredibly unique game that carries fun, lighthearted humor with simple but engaging gameplay, ultimately delivering a gut punch with its oddly emotional story.”
    • “The game maintains a serious tone and emotional core throughout its story, blending genuine feelings with wacky humor, which together create a captivating and authentic world.”
    • “Incredible and refreshing platformer with a very touching narrative!”
  • graphics
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's graphics feature a unique blend of simplistic, PS1-style visuals with constantly shifting color palettes, creating a psychedelic and vivid aesthetic. Its diverse art styles intermingle seamlessly, enhancing the storytelling and gameplay with a distinct charm. Overall, the visuals are praised for their creativity and how they complement the game's atmosphere and soundtrack.

    • “The simplistic, PS1 style graphics cutscenes, with constantly changing color palettes and warped sound effects and music, that play during key story moments, are the closest you'll ever get to witnessing a lucid psychedelic fever dream.”
    • “This game has a wonderful cast of characters and a delightful assortment of different flavors of art styles intermixed to delightful extents.”
    • “Even if the low context nature of its story (or sudden lore dumps) and jokes were to pass you by, the love and effort put into the soundtrack and visuals shall still win your heart.”
    • “The simplistic, PS1-style graphics cutscenes, with constantly changing color palettes and warped sound effects and music, that play during key story moments, are the closest you'll ever get to witnessing a lucid psychedelic fever dream.”
  • grinding
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Grinding in the game is notably time-consuming and demanding, often requiring extensive playtime or multiple attempts to progress.

  • replayability
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users find the game highly replayable, noting that unlike similar platformers they quickly abandon, this game keeps them engaged well beyond the first stage, exceeding their expectations.

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I knew I'd enjoy Rubato's demo from the moment the Earth blew up and I fell in the toilet

January 20 on rockpapershotgun.com
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Frequently Asked Questions

RUBATO is a role playing game with comedy theme.

RUBATO is available on Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5 and others.

RUBATO was released on March 20, 2026.

RUBATO was developed by dconn.

RUBATO has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

RUBATO is a single player game.

Similar games include Vs. Alfie: Moonlit Melodies (+ 2 Bonus Songs), Everhood, Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo, PEPPERED: an existential platformer, Owlboy and others.