RoboBeat, crafted by Simon Fredholm and Kwalee, is an exhilarating rhythm-based roguelike shooter available on the PlayStation 5. In this game, you step into the shoes of the well-known bounty hunter Ace, who is hot on the trail of the quirky robot entertainer, Frazzer. This pursuit will see you navigating his bizarre techno-themed labyrinth, all while syncing your attacks to a pulsating soundtrack. Standing still isn’t an option in RoboBeat; you must stay on the move to survive. With each playthrough, you’ll face procedurally generated levels, demanding you to constantly refine your strategy. Choose a track that complements your play style to fully engage with the beat while enjoying the action.
I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself in other rhythm-based shooters like “Metal: Hellsinger” on PS5 and “BPM: Bullets Per Minute” on Switch, so naturally, I was excited to see how RoboBeat stacks up on Sony’s platform. What’s interesting about RoboBeat is its crossover with BPM, offering extra tracks from BPM, DUSK, and ULTRAKILL.
When you’re ready to dive in, you’ll guide Ace using the left stick for movement and the right stick for aiming. You can dash by pressing the left stick and jump with X, which can be doubled. Use Circle to slide, and while airborne, press the right stick to perform a ground slam. Combat involves dual-wielding with L2 and R2 to fire weapons in rhythm with the music, building up your combo. Parrying is handled with Square, charging weapons with Triangle, and utilizing gadgets with R1.
So, what arsenal do you have at your disposal as you make your way towards Frazzer? Start with the trusty Revolver, known for quick shots and critical headshots with a one-beat cooldown. Or try the Flux shotgun if close-range power is your style, sporting a hefty two-beat cooldown. The Contact pistol offers great damage and can splash damage to adjacent foes, only requiring a single beat to reload. For something different, experiment with the Ping Pong—every third shot causes an explosion, resetting in just one beat.
Earning Blips with each victory allows you to purchase weapons and upgrades and unlock new room types. Spend Blips in the shop room for additional gear, snag data chips for boosts, tackle parkour challenges, or rush to hit all targets in a target room. Unlocking these rooms requires first finding blueprints to bring back to your workbench.
Trophy hunters will be thrilled with RoboBeat’s complete trophy list, featuring a Platinum trophy among its 24 Bronze, 8 Silver, and 5 Gold trophies. Achievements range from exploring new areas and collecting keys to accessing various rooms and defeating bosses. Some challenges include executing rapid kills, earning high combos, accumulating currencies, or destroying surveillance cameras. Need guidance? Check out the RoboBeat Trophy Guide.
RoboBeat is more than just fast-paced action; it’s a rhythmic challenge set in a world where each beat demands your precision. With 38 tracks and exclusive songs from BPM and others, it encourages you to find your groove. Launching tomorrow on PS5 for $19.99, RoboBeat promises a unique action-packed experience.
For those curious, I’ve based this review on a PlayStation 5 copy kindly provided by Kwalee.