Rift of the NecroDancer is one of the best rhythm games in ages
Cadence is back, fresh off her time in the crypts dancing and slashing to the beat and ready for more rhythm-based action in a new world with new tools at hand. This time things are a little different as she’s diving into a strange new universe filled with musical mayhem and some really fun Guitar Hero-inspired action. Oh, and she’ll meet some old friends and foes along the way on her quest to get back home.
What we have this time is an electrifying three-lane rhythm game. Players once again take on the role of Cadence and move to the beat to defeat enemies. Well, not so much move as attack to the beat like a game of Guitar Hero, as the notes in that game are the enemies needing defeating. The difference is that you’ve now been sucked through a portal into a new world and monsters are following suit. And in this new world you’ll be using your rhythm-based attacks in a different way that will test your brainpower. This new dimension means an all-new way to fight to the beat of the music.
The heart of the game lies in its pulse-pounding soundtrack, featuring over 30 brand-new tracks composed by an all-star lineup of artists, including Danny Baranowsky, Jules Conroy, Alex Moukala, Josie Brechner, Sam Webster, and Nick Nausbaum. And that’s just the beginning as the developers have more tracks are on the way to keep the beats fresh and the energy high with almost certain DLC (Hatsune Miku would fit amazingly well in this new world). And that’s not even mentioning the custom song creator and Steam workshop support allowing for tons of replayability and a chance for pros to show off their skills on YouTube.
Instead of traversing a generated labyrinth of monsters, attacking to the beat of the rhythm as you jump from square-to-square like in Crypt of the NecroDancer, you’ll now have to battle through hordes of monsters that have begun pouring through the same Rift you fell through, each with their own unique behaviors, defenses, and attack patterns all in the style of a Guitar Hero note. Enemies come down one of three lanes and you need to dispatch them by timing your musical attacks.
From bats that shift lanes when struck to tougher foes that require multiple hits to defeat, every encounter demands quick thinking and perfect timing. To survive, you’ll need to learn the rhythms and patterns of each enemy —because if the music stops, so do you. And while you might think the game would be easier thanks to using only three buttons (up, left, and right) it’s anything but. This addition of moving notes/enemies really meses with your mind and can make for a very fun, but very chaotic time.
Unlike the levels of the first game, every song in this adventure is hand-crafted and laid out with clear purpose and intent. When you land an attack the current monster on the given rhythm line will explode, be pushed back, or shift to another lane completely as some require multiple hits to destroy. All of this is done in time with the beat, creating a deeply satisfying connection between your actions and the music you are hearing. The result is a gameplay experience that feels like you’re not just playing along with the music —you’re part of it.
There’s also a full story mode that’s partially voiced to help keep players engaged. It’s a fun affair with lots of fun twists and surprises, especially for fans of the original game. And to help mix things up you’ll have access to different gameplay modes during your playthrough. In-between the Guitar Hero combat there will be stages that take advantage to the same mechanics in slightly different ways. A mini game might see you pulling off yoga poses in a studio, or a boss battle might see the rhythm-based combat turn into a timing-based game of Punch Out.
My partner is a rhythm game fanatic, literally taking me to the arcade to play all manner of dance and button-based games. I’m pretty good from osmosis and being a former Rock Band addict. But what’s interesting about Rift of the NecroDancer, is that while they didn’t reinvent the wheel, they did make it so most of your classic rhythm game knowledge doesn’t quite transfer over thanks to the little tweaks it makes.
At its core, this game is much more than simply tapping keys in time with the music, rather it’s about understanding the monsters and the unique patterns they employ when hit. Each monster acts as a unique note, and their movements and behaviors create a constantly shifting puzzle that you must decode in real-time. Sure, it’s still about memorizing notes like in Guitar Hero, but the added quirk of those notes shifting over lanes and only being pushed back adds a lot to the experience.
It’s a test of rhythm, strategy, and adaptability, where every encounter feels like a fresh challenge. And one fun feature is that you have a life meter to worry about as every missed not sees you losing hearts. Lose all ten hearts you have and the track ends, but you can recover health by hitting food items that come down the lanes during certain parts of a track. This allows you to have a chance where you wouldn’t in most other rhythm games.
All of this can be very overwhelming at first. From bats that dart unpredictably to armored foes that require precise timing to break through, each monster introduces a new layer of complexity. But don’t let the complexity intimidate you—once you start to internalize the patterns and rhythms, the game becomes an incredibly rewarding experience.
This is a rhythm game that demands more than just fast fingers—it challenges your brain and your ability to stay one step ahead of the chaos sliding down the screen towards you. If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll find a deeply engaging and endlessly replayable experience that shows just what makes rhythm games so much fun and addicting.
With its bumping soundtrack, a colorful cast of characters, and tons of ways of keeping you coming back for more, Rift of the NecroDancer is a fantastic experience that is great for rhythm game fans, fans of the original game, and those simply looking for something fun!
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