Must Know
What’s it? A rhythm game-slash-2D fighter with some rockin’ guitar beats.
Launch date April 18, 2023
Count on to pay $30 / £25
Developer Modus Studios
Writer Modus Studios
Reviewed on Nvidia GeForce RTX3070, AMD Ryzen 7 2700X, 16GB RAM
Steam Deck Untested
Hyperlink Official web site (opens in new tab)
For 2 genres that really feel acquainted on the floor, fighters and rhythm video games are extra like polar opposites. Certain, they each require exact inputs to a specific circulation, however rhythm depends on mechanical perfection whereas preventing video games want a deeper understanding of an usually unpredictable opponent. In a perfect world, I feel the 2 may harmonise fairly properly, however in God of Rock’s case, the genres it is attempting to mix are sometimes at odds with one another.
It is an actual disgrace, too. Fighters and rhythm are two of my favorite genres, so the thought of a sport that marries the 2 was music to my ears. As a substitute of prolonged transfer lists and devoted punch/kick buttons, God of Rock’s battles happen with notice charts scrolling throughout the underside of the display. Hitting a notice on the similar precision as my opponent causes each of us to dam assaults, however getting extra correct time lets me break via their defenses and wallop them.
Matches do not finish till one participant falls, which suggests two individuals with good timing might be locked in an infinite battle with the notice chart turning into more and more tough. That is the place Modus Studios throws an additional sprinkle of preventing video games in. Every character has three supers and an extremely transfer that may be thrown out with some extra conventional fighter inputs like half and quarter circles. In addition to hitting the opponent with a cluster of random notes, these talents can do issues like quickly altering the notice velocity or letting me heal up if I am taking a beating.
God of Rock’s track library is completely serviceable. I wasn’t tremendous wowed by any of its songs and I feel the sport would have benefitted from a smaller track library or perhaps a sprinkle of licensed songs. The issue is the preventing sport parts severely break the circulation of the rhythm half. I discovered it robust to search out a gap to do my tremendous inputs—I often discovered myself purposely dropping the combo to try to get an assault out. Fortunately, you do not want exact reminiscence of each skill enter since you may often mash it out—a small window above the notes will solely present right inputs so you could have an concept of if you’re going incorrect. These strikes are nearly unattainable to drag off when taking part in with a mouse and keyboard, nevertheless. Whereas I used to be nonetheless dropping combos when utilizing a controller, it was considerably simpler utilizing analog sticks in comparison with having to shift my arms to a wholly completely different location on my keyboard.
There are additionally reversals that may be executed, however studying and reacting to them correctly additional added to the visible chaos. A circle in the course of the display lights up a specific color when my opponent is about to throw out an excellent transfer. With the intention to reverse their assault and save myself, I needed to shortly reply with an excellent transfer of a better stage. Making an attempt to take my eyes away from notes to regulate the circle, learn its color, after which reply appropriately was nigh unattainable.
Not solely that, however some UI selections make studying notes in God of Rock an arduous job. There is a motive video games with horizontal notes are sometimes relegated to at least one or two enter lanes—horizontal notice charts are an absolute ballache to learn. With 4 inputs to regulate and poor rebind choices, I discovered it tough to learn extra dense notice charts. Vertical lanes would enhance the expertise tenfold, particularly when taking part in with a keyboard.
I’ve another small gripes with the UI—the well being bar is just too removed from the notes, making it robust to look over and get a fast learn on how my well being—and my opponent’s well being— s wanting. Whereas the precise preventing taking place within the background is punchy and a deal with to get the odd glimpse of, it is usually accompanied by vibrant white flashes. I bought used to it will definitely, however it made studying notes through the first hour of the sport much more tough.
Flash Dance Kick
God of Rock’s modes are restricted; there’s an arcade mode with some beautiful illustrated cutscenes for every character that has you preventing via the roster. Freeplay mode enables you to play via particular songs both in opposition to a CPU or with one other participant offline. Lastly, multiplayer mode has ranked and informal lobbies to face off in opposition to different gamers on-line.
The factor I used to be most impressed with was how streamlined God of Rock’s on-line multiplayer was. I jumped in for some video games with a fellow rhythm and fighter fanatic. Organising a foyer took no time in any respect, and inside lower than a minute we had been in a match collectively. As soon as our sport was over, hopping right into a rematch was immediate. As somebody all too used to coping with prolonged rematch loading screens (taking a look at you Tekken 7), it was an enormous blessing.
We may additionally bounce straight right into a rematch with a randomly chosen track, eradicating the necessity for us to maintain diving again into the track listing. The one factor I did not love was that management over handbook track choice lies with the host solely. On the brilliant facet, my pal may see me scrolling via the listing so we may choose along with a little bit of communication.
Regardless of its struggles, I actually did love God of Rock’s appeal. Its roster is a vibrant mixture of characters like comedian artist Edith or carefree spirit Lyn. I loved a few of their distinctive interactions throughout arcade intros—although I want these might be skipped in freeplay or multiplayer—and the sport’s stage designs had been fairly, if not a tad misplaced with the sport’s tone.
Sadly, I do not assume God of Rock goes to carry the eye of diehard followers of both style any time quickly. I discovered myself struggling to need to play for greater than an hour or two. Getting these two polar reverse genres to work properly collectively was a troublesome job, and God of Rock does not fairly get the 2 to mesh. It’s extremely fairly to take a look at and it is clear Modus Video games put numerous love into it, and I look ahead to seeing what the developer does with future updates. I do hope it considers making some UI changes and including an possibility for vertical notes—it will make the expertise way more pleasing.
