Beat the Beats Review: Heavy Hitting VR Rhythm Action

Beat the Beats might change into certainly one of VR’s greatest new rhythm video games. Learn on for our full assessment:

When Beat Saber and Synth Riders proceed exhibiting vital longevity, new VR rhythm video games have a tricky job standing out on this crowded market. Developed by Parallel Circles, I think about Beat the Beats one of many strongest rivals lately. By swapping lightsabers and orbs for boxing gloves, it takes a extra straight fitness-driven strategy and I rapidly discovered my rhythm.

Whereas I do not want to maintain mentioning Beat Saber, it is a straightforward comparability. Beat the Beats scores you by hitting incoming targets and dodging obstacles, although factors are awarded for exact hits over vertical slices. I’ve by no means been a lot of a boxer, although utilizing jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and blocks makes for a satisfying different, all launched by way of an easy-to-learn tutorial. Ending songs awards you a rank, and on-line leaderboards add a pleasant aggressive contact.

Successive hits step by step construct up a multiplier, however you do not progressively restore well being by doing this. 5 errors finish your run, although you may get well HP after clearing segments. A small grace interval after lacking means this is not as punishing because it sounds and, initially anyway, I would not name this notably robust. I loved the gradual problem curve as I progressed by way of arcade mode, whereas unlockable ‘B-Sides’ made these earlier songs suitably tougher.

Beat the Beats nails what I would think about probably the most essential facet of this style: a strong sense of rhythm. Each time I’ve jumped on, I can really feel myself getting within the zone with every music, throwing punches virtually instinctively as new targets come towards me. That is helped by a pleasingly energetic soundtrack, which sadly does not embrace any big-name artists, although what’s right here is sweet.

I am additionally actually impressed by the presentation. The minimalist aesthetic feels clear and centered, although my spotlight is how Beat the Beats handles music transitions. Levels do not fade to black after exiting a music, sustaining a seamless surroundings. That does wonders for immersion as this all the time retains you within the expertise, even briefly – one thing I just lately criticized Orbeats for.

Through the use of boxing strikes, Beat the Beats’ core mechanics make nice use of VR’s physicality, and I am having fun with it greater than Synth Riders. As a substitute of merely transferring your arms towards a selected space, making these swings as you hit targets feels extra satisfying. Delicate haptic suggestions from the PSVR 2 Sense Controllers enhances this additional, whereas the headset haptics kicking in as you dodge giant crimson arrows additional complement the immersion.

My largest criticism is that I need extra – the extras are considerably missing. Past Arcade Mode, you’ve got solely obtained two choices and sadly, Fast Response is not that thrilling. It is a mini-game the place you press buttons as rapidly as attainable, and you may clear every thing in lower than 5 minutes. Day by day Combine is extra attention-grabbing as that merges a number of songs into an extended stage for a singular problem.

I would additionally like extra choices for the principle gameplay. Increasing the problem settings can be welcome, whether or not that is by way of modifiers like a one-miss fail or lowered well being, or extra pre-determined problem ranges. Completely different colours for blocks/gloves might go a great distance, too.

Beat the Beats Evaluate – Closing Ideas

Beat the Beats makes nice use of VR’s physicality to ship a number of the most enjoyably contemporary rhythm gaming I’ve skilled in latest months. Whereas the extras do not go notably far, the builders have a giant canvas to construct on sooner or later and there are robust core mechanics right here for very satisfying lively VR classes.

UploadVR makes use of a 5-Star score system for our recreation critiques – you may learn a breakdown of every star score in our assessment tips.