ROBOBEAT, crafted by Simon Fredholm and Kwalee, delivers a thrilling roguelike rhythm shooting experience for the PlayStation 5. Curious about how it holds up? Let’s dive into our review of ROBOBEAT!
Step into the shoes of Ace, a renowned bounty hunter, on a mission to track down the quirky robot entertainer, Frazzer. Your adventure unfolds within his bizarre techno-infused playground, where the thumping soundtrack keeps you on your toes as you shoot in sync with the rhythm. Standing still is not an option here; continuous movement is your key to survival! The game’s procedurally generated levels mean you’ll need to constantly refine your tactics as you forge ahead. Choose a soundtrack that complements your style and let the music guide your assault.
Having explored rhythm-based first-person shooters before, like ‘Metal: Hellsinger’ on PS5 and ‘BPM: Bullets Per Minute’ on the Nintendo Switch, I was eager to see how ROBOBEAT performed on Sony’s platform. The game impressively ties in content from BPM: Bullets Per Minute, featuring bonus tracks from other rhythm-based favorites like DUSK and ULTRAKILL, creating a rich auditory feast.
Getting started with ROBOBEAT is straightforward. Navigate with the left stick while the right stick lets you aim, with an option to dash by pressing in on the left stick. Leap and double-jump using the X button, slide with Circle, and execute a ground slam by pressing in on the right stick while airborne. During combat, firing your left and right weapons is done with L2 and R2 buttons, respectively. Hit those beats to build killer combos! Defending requires Square for parries and Triangle for charging your arsenal. Use R1 to activate utilities from your loadout.
Your armory includes a trusty Revolver, perfect for quick shots with chances for critical headshots, alongside the robust Flux shotgun that dominates at close range. The Contact weapon inflicts solid damage and spreads additional harm to nearby foes. If you’re feeling a bit experimental, try the Ping Pong gun, which detonates every third shot in a sequence, all while maintaining a smooth one-beat cooldown.
As you vanquish foes and clear rooms, you’ll gather Blips, the game’s currency. Spend these on new weapons, upgrades, or even unlocking room types like the shop room for extra gear, data-chip room for bonuses, parkour challenges, and target rush trials. Before making these breakthroughs, though, be sure to secure and bring blueprints back to your workbench.
Trophy hunters have a complete list to tackle in ROBOBEAT, which includes a Platinum trophy. Comprising 24 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 5 Gold trophies, the challenges vary from entering new areas and finding keys to visiting specialized rooms and defeating all bosses. Achieving feats such as completing a target rush in under a second or beating a combo streak to 100 will also boost your trophy count. If you ever find yourself stuck, don’t hesitate to consult our comprehensive ROBOBEAT Trophy Guide.
In ROBOBEAT, the adrenaline never stops as you assume the role of Ace, the fearless bounty hunter on a quest to capture the eccentric Frazzer amidst his chaotic techno domain. Stay nimble, adapt to procedurally generated levels, and let the music dictate the pace. With 38 vibrant tracks and bonus songs from BPM, DUSK, and ULTRAKILL, this adventure releases on PlayStation 5 for $19.99 tomorrow.
Featured within the article are several captivating images to give a visual taste of what awaits players in this energetic game world.
Lastly, please note that this ROBOBEAT review is based on a PS5 copy provided by Kwalee.