Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians sets you free in a sumptuous underwater kingdom where every plant and sea creature adds to the music.
It’s been a very long time since I last played this charming rhythm game. Originally released over a decade ago, the game charmed me with its lovely music and the way in which everything in the game would bring something new to the music. Even if it’s a laser hazard looking to make your life a bit more painful, it’ll bring some sort of riff from an instrument to the game. This means that, the more danger you’re in, the more complex and satisfying the music gets. So, it leaves a smile on your face even as you’re threading your way through dangerous places.
Beatbuddy is also pleasant to look at while it’s sending you through challenging seas. The game’s underwater world does an excellent job of continually surprising you with striking new places to see and creatures to run into. I love the constant variety in the locations, and really enjoyed taking in the pink crystal reefs and wavy kelp forests. And again, with everything seeming to flow and move to the beat, there’s this wonderful sense of connectivity with all of the things around you. Even though things are trying to blast or smack you, there’s this sense of oneness with everything thanks to the music and play.
The rhythm-based play is also challenging in a charming way. Movement and attacks happen on-beat (as do some of your vehicle movements), so the game really encourages you to feel out the flow of the music as you play it. If you can get that sense of rhythm and get in-tune with the world, I think you’ll really enjoy the time you spend beneath the waves with Beatbuddy.
Beatbuddy: Tale of the Guardians is available now on the Nintendo eShop, Microsoft Store, GOG, and Steam.
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