ROBOBEAT, crafted by Simon Fredholm and published by Kwalee, brings a thrilling, fast-paced roguelike rhythm shooter to the PlayStation 5. Ready to dive in? Let’s break it down!
In ROBOBEAT, you step into the shoes of Ace, a renowned bounty hunter on a mission to capture the flamboyant robot-showman, Frazzer. To catch him, you’ll have to navigate through his chaotic techno-playground, shooting everything in sight—all in sync with an electrifying soundtrack. Standing still is not an option here; you’ve got to keep moving to stay alive! With procedurally generated levels at every turn, you’ll need to evolve your strategy as you go along. Choose a track that fits your style to master the rhythm and enjoy the ride!
I’ve spent time with other rhythm-based shooters before, like Metal: Hellsinger on the PlayStation 5 and BPM: Bullets Per Minute on Nintendo Switch. With those experiences in mind, I was eager to see how ROBOBEAT would perform. The game even includes crossover tracks from BPM, alongside tunes from DUSK and ULTRAKILL, adding an exciting layer to its musical arsenal.
When gearing up to play, you control movement with the left analog stick and aim with the right. Dashing is achieved by pressing the left stick, while jumping and double jumping are mapped to the X button, and sliding can be done with the Circle button. For a ground slam, jump and then press the right stick in. Combat involves using L2 to shoot with your left weapon, R2 with your right—all in rhythm to build that combo! The Square button lets you parry, and charging weapons is done via the Triangle button. For extra utilities, the R1 button comes into play.
Wondering what kind of firepower you’ll wield? The trusty Revolver offers swift shots with a one-beat cooldown and can deal critical headshots. Meanwhile, the Flux shotgun is a powerful tool up close, but it requires a two-beat cooldown. The Contact weapon is perfect for delivering solid damage, affecting one enemy nearby with its one-beat cooldown. And don’t overlook the Ping Pong, with every third shot causing an explosion.
Conquering levels and enemies earns you Blips, which serve as the in-game currency. Use them to buy weapons, upgrades, and unlock new rooms like the shop room—ideal for stocking up, the data-chip room for boosts, or the parkour room to test your skills. Want to rush targets quickly? There’s a room for that too. Unlocking rooms requires the right blueprint, so keep an eye out!
The trophy hunters among us will be thrilled to know that ROBOBEAT offers a full trophy list, complete with a shiny Platinum. This includes 24 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 5 Gold trophies. Tasks range from entering new areas and collecting keys to unlocking various rooms and defeating bosses. There are trophies for hitting a 100-beat combo, holding up to 25,000 coins, and more. If you need help, a comprehensive ROBOBEAT Trophy Guide is just a click away.
In summary, ROBOBEAT is a fast-paced, rhythm-infused roguelike shooter that puts you in the role of Ace, set on capturing the quirky robot Frazzer. Each level is procedurally generated, so adaptability is key. Pick your perfect soundtrack from 38 songs, with bonus offerings from beloved titles like BPM, DUSK, and ULTRAKILL. Look out for ROBOBEAT, launching tomorrow on PlayStation 5 for $19.99.
Curious if you can corner the audacious Frazzer? Only one way to find out! Please note that this review is based on a PlayStation 5 copy provided by Kwalee.
