Just like in movies, the sounds and music can make or break the immersion in gaming. From atmospheric background tunes to exhilarating sound design that underlines the action displayed on the screen, a game only comes to life through its auditory experience. Some games have capitalized on this and use music and its beat as a core gameplay mechanic. Whether you’re looking for arcade-style fun or a demon-filled heavy-metal adventure, these rhythm-based games offer something for any music fan.
Rhythmic Casual and Classic Games
Arcade-style games are the perfect platform for short musical experiences. DJMax Respect V, for instance, boasts fast-paced gameplay and a large and ever-expanding library of hit songs that have you tapping the right button at the right time to increase your score. Meanwhile, Spin Rhythm XD brings the nostalgia of classic arcade games into the 21st century, offering challenging gameplay mechanics that will have you spinning, flicking, tapping, and matching colors to the beat.
Even classic casino games incorporate music in their gameplay. You can find a lot of modern online slots for real money that feature intricate sound designs to increase immersion. Book of Dead, for instance, which is rated 8th on a list of the best online slots, uses an Egyptian-themed soundtrack to set the atmosphere. Musician-based online slots like KISS: Reels of Rock use popular artists, their likenesses, and their most famous songs to build gaming experiences around them. These casual and classic games are perfectly suitable for short game rounds.
Action with a Beat
The world of rhythm-based games goes far beyond casual experiences, as developers have found ways to incorporate musical gameplay in more traditional genres. Thus, the action-adventure genre now boasts games that will ask you to quit the button bashing and rhythmically tap to the beat of the track instead. Looking at the winners of The Game Awards, Hi-Fi Rush isn’t just one of the best rhythm-based action adventures available, but even one of the best games of 2023. With a soundtrack featuring hits from Nine Inch Nails, The Prodigy, and many more, every step, jump, punch, and slash takes place in the beat of the music, making each battle and platforming section a musical challenge.
Cranking the action and music up a notch is Metal: Hellsinger. The first-person shooter has you fighting demons in rhythm with an original soundtrack performed by metal legends including System Of A Down’s Serj Tankian and Trivium’s Matt Heafy. These titles are a must-play for fans of rock music and engaging action.
Musical Workout
It all began with Guitar Hero back in the day. Plastic guitars and later plastic drum sets turned gamers’ living rooms into concert halls that let them virtually step into the shoes of their favorite artists. In today’s age, it’s virtual reality that will let you fully immerse yourself in the music and feel the beat. The best rhythm game with motion control is, without a doubt, Beat Saber. It’s not just the best rhythm-based VR game but has oftentimes been touted as one of the best VR games, period. Different shapes (and bombs) come flying at you, and you have to hit them with your virtual lightsabers at just the right time and in the right direction to increase your score. This is a game that turns your living room into a dance floor and will make you break a sweat for all the right reasons.
Rhythm-based games take advantage of the power of music to create unique experiences that incorporate the beat as a core gameplay mechanic. From fast-paced tracks in rhythmic arcade games to heavy metal beats in high-octane shooters, these are some of the best games to play for music fans.
