Random Video Game Review - Crypt of the NecroDancer

 

Ahh, rhythm games. So much fun they are. There was a time when many of us would give in to the gimmicks of those old Guitar Hero and Rock Band rhythm games. While those franchises may be well and truly dead by now, the genre on the other hand is far from dead thanks to games like this. Where every move, done to the rhythm of the beat, gives you a better score or hit or whatever. Before I played this, I didn't really know too much about it other than it exists. The people behind it, I am also not all that familiar with. So going into this blind and hope for the best. Let's go:

In the main game, you play as this character called Cadence who is the daughter of a famous treasure hunter that has been missing for some time. In her search, she gets captured by the titular NecroDancer who has her and his minions fight to claim her heart. To the rhythm of the beat in order to stay alive, she sets out to claim her heart back, while also learning some other things too in the process. As well as Cadence, there are other characters you can play as in a series of dungeons, where each action can only happen to the rhythm of the beat. Enemies will drop loot when defeated and any misses to the beat, can cause some things to happen such as damage to your characters. All enemy types work differently, but for the most part, their actions are determined by the beat. Unlike most games like this, the player's inventory is managed automatically as you acquire various equipable things and more. Each dungeon is divided into four zones of four levels each, with the first 3 having mini bosses and the fourth having a bigger boss to defeat in order to complete that dungeon. Each level lasts as long as each song plays, when it's over, a trap door takes the player to the next level where much more powerful enemies may await.

I have a feeling this game kind of started the trend of having rhythm based roguelike gameplay, as other games seem to have replicated it or done its own thing. Regardless, it was good fun playing this one. The music is cool, the enemies may be a little generic, but offer a great challenge. The graphics are very retro which is always a plus in my books and the story is alright too. It may be a little too difficult for most, but it was fine overall for me. 8/10