Beat Slayer (2024)

Energetic and outspoken protagonist Mia and her trusty pair of headphones are slaying thousands of mindless robots to the beat, just to finally reach the ominous Dietrich, who is making people into literal disco zombies by blasting his own sounds. But beweary, because This synths heavy rhythm-based adventure will not only test your fingers and ears, but your patience and determination too. So just remember to STAY ON BEAT!

Whether busting robot heads or jamming to the tune, Beat Slayer promises a good time, even if a lack of versatility makes it a little stale.

Beat Slayer’s core mechanic is good. As long as players stay on the beat and mix and match their attacks, kicks, and dashes, they can deal with a wide array of enemy combinations. The game also has a good variety of upgrades for Mia and two extra weapons to unlock. This futuristic version of Berlin is interesting, although her sidekicks can be a little forgettable.

Beat Slayer is a game that falls short in some areas. I don't think it goes far enough in establishing its unique setting and the characters are just people you want to tune out after a while. With that said, I enjoyed the game on the whole. It's not a game that's good for long sessions, especially if you get particularly far in a run and have that adrenaline balloon get popped to send you back to the very beginning. For short sessions, however, it's got solid enough combat and a strong enough soundtrack to make it worth touring this robot-filled dystopia.

The ‘90s badass tropes will wear thin very quickly, but they won’t stop you coming back for more. Beat Slayer is a thoroughly enjoyable rhythmic romp that is both fun and deceivingly addictive. With an exceptional soundtrack and mix-and-match gameplay with something for everyone, you’ll be saying “Just one more run” until the wee hours.