Synth Riders

The reviews indicate a strong desire for a dedicated story or campaign mode in the game, as players express disappointment over the lack of narrative content and find the menu system confusing. While the gameplay itself is enjoyable, the absence of a structured story detracts from the overall experience, leaving users wishing for more depth and engagement beyond the song selection.

Overall, the game offers significant replayability through a variety of features, including an extensive library of songs, custom content, and multiple modifiers that enhance gameplay. While some users noted limited replay value in certain aspects, the inclusion of different difficulty levels and modes, along with procedural elements, contributes to a diverse and engaging experience. The combination of these factors ensures that players can find new ways to enjoy the game repeatedly.

Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while some users experience smooth performance on decent hardware, others report significant issues like dropped frames and stuttering, particularly with custom maps and certain settings. The lack of updates for the Steam version and the game's tendency to struggle with performance when overloaded with custom content highlight a pressing need for better optimization. Additionally, lengthy load times when using numerous custom songs suggest that improvements in caching could enhance the user experience.

Users feel that while the game offers a better workout, it lacks emotional impact due to its mechanics, which involve merely touching markers rather than engaging in more visceral actions like smashing blocks. The gameplay is described as less intense and more akin to a cheerleading experience than a musical one, though the inclusion of dynamic elements adds some interest. Overall, the game is praised for its options and music, but it may not evoke strong emotional responses.

The game's atmosphere is characterized by its vibrant retro wave aesthetics, immersive electronic landscapes, and a strong emphasis on rhythm and movement, creating an exhilarating experience that encourages fluid body movement. Players appreciate the active community and dedicated developers, which further enhance the overall ambiance.

The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for being misleading, particularly due to its advertising that suggests a broader experience than what is available without additional purchases. Players have found the DLC advertisements to be excessive and feel that essential content is locked behind paywalls, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

Overall, users report a stable experience with the game, noting that it runs smoothly without any significant hitches or glitches. The performance remains consistent even when settings are adjusted, contributing to a positive gameplay experience.

The humor in the game is highlighted by its catchy song choices, like "Kick Start My Heart" and "Staying Alive," which elicit laughter from players and spectators alike. Despite being an early access title, the game presents a polished comedic experience that enhances its overall enjoyment.

Players highlight the grinding aspect as a significant part of the experience, often comparing it to the dedication seen in competitive games like osu, where they invest considerable effort into mastering challenging songs for better scores.