บทความ
The best rhythm games for PC
D
Diego Nicolás Argüello
Whether you're unfamiliar with the genre or you're just looking for recommendations that might have flown under the radar, we've got you covered with an explanation of what rhythm games are, how they work, what real-life benefits they bring, and the best rhythm games on PC to dive into.
What are rhythm games?
Rhythm games kick off from the enticing premise of tying actions, sequences, and gameplay mechanics to music and melodies. Rhythm based games are great at testing your reflexes and how well you can keep up with a beat, following specific cues to execute patterns that don't interrupt the pace. Yet you don't need to be a music expert to enjoy them—the vast majority of the genre has something for everyone, often with varying difficulty levels to choose from.
How do rhythm games work?
Rhythm-based games are far from homogeneous. Some ask you to dance or emulate playing a guitar, while others infuse rhythm mechanics with existing genres, creating unexpected mashups. Some of the most traditional rhythm games present "stages" that are tied to a specific song, which means you can play them in short bursts, usually pressing buttons at the right time and keeping track of your score, which you'll likely want to surpass in subsequent playthroughs. These games usually offer multiple difficulty levels so you can start with the basics and challenge yourself from there.
The more experimental rhythm games on PC will have you doing anything from defeating enemies with rhythmic punches and kicks on-beat to experiencing arcade-style gameplay in a new light.
How rhythm games improve your skills & get you moving
Video games can bring all sorts of real-life benefits. In particular, music games can be a positive force for your well-being. Studies have shown that games like Osu! are proven to increase attentional skills and concentration for esports players, making the case that rhythm games could be essential training tools for increasing psychological skills.
Here are some benefits of playing rhythm games:
- The integration of music as a driving force makes for a relaxing experience that can help relieve stress and emotional release.
- There's a strong sense of achievement when surpassing levels, especially if a player starts in the lower difficulties and slowly practices the same tracks until they're able to conquer higher challenges.
- Rhythm games involving physicality can be a good fitness method.
- Hand-eye coordination, decision-making skills, and memorization can all see an improvement as well.
The best rhythm games
Now that we've summarized the overall concept of the genre, it's time to look into the best rhythm games available now, from a novel rhythm shooter to rhythm action games.
Fortnite Festival
Epic Games acquired Harmonix in late 2021. Two years later, Fortnite Festival was born. Some of the developers who acted as the pioneers of one of the most influential periods of music games teamed up to create a modern take on the classic Rock Band and Guitar Hero blueprints. You're still playing notes as they appear on a fretboard, following the cues of some of the most popular music of the past decades. But now, it's all part of the Fortnite ecosystem, including emotes, skins, and ongoing collaborations to increase your library and look cool when playing music with others online.
Fortnite is available for free on Epic Games Store.
People of Note
Indie rhythm games have been full of surprises in the last couple of years. People of Note, however, is a standout example. This turn-based RPG uses rhythm-based cues to perform attacks and features characters with different music backgrounds in a single party to combine rhythms and melodies as you fend off enemies. Plus, it's all tied to a robust story starring a protagonist who wants to prove herself while rekindling the passion for music in all the people she reunites with.
People of Note is available on Epic Games Store.
Dead as Disco
The combat mechanics introduced by Batman: Arkham Asylum way back when are still inspiring studios around the globe. In the case of Dead as Disco, the result is one of the most engrossing and vibrant musical games out there. While the full game isn't finished yet, you can take part in carefully crafted boss fights where all your attacks are tied to the music in the background. In addition, you can select tracks or even add your own music to take part in a more traditional rhythm game experience, albeit with your fists and legs as the main instruments.
Dead as Disco is available on Epic Games Store.
Robobeat
The rhythm FPS subgenre has been a steady presence for a few years now, with the likes of Metal: Hellsinger and BPM: Bullets Per Minute being prominent examples. Robobeat shares a similar premise, in which you must shoot to the beat of music, but it also features the possibility of adding your own songs. Robobeat is also a rhythm roguelite, meaning that every run will always be different. If you're looking for replayability with lots of style, this is the one for you.
Robobeat is available on the Epic Games Store.
Beat Hazard 3
If you're looking for an inventive rhythm shooter, Beat Hazard 3 is one of the best music games out there. The team behind the series spent years iterating on the formula, resulting in an arcade shoot 'em up where music shapes the levels you play, from enemy intensity to the visual feast on your eyes. The third installment of the rhythm twin-stick shooter series features integration with music streaming services, features such as a galaxy where each star is an album and planets are tracks, and much more.
Beat Hazard 3 is available on Epic Games Store.
Melatonin
The Rhythm Heaven series is, in a way, the embodiment of music rhythm games. The franchise offers short levels revolving around a simple concept or situation that is tied to a melody, and you must learn and repeat the patterns to the right tempo. Melatonin builds upon this foundation with an assortment of minigames that depict a mix between dream and reality. Pair it up with a great soundtrack and an enchanting hand-drawn art style, and it's no wonder that Melatonin is part of the best rhythm games available out there.
Melatonin is available on Epic Games Store.
The selection above is far from the complete list of rhythm games on PC. While it can be a good starting point, rhythm games come in all shapes and sizes. If you're feeling like moving to the beat, you can explore more from Epic Games Store.