8 Best Rhythm Games You Can Only Play On PC

There’s something inherently satisfying about rhythm games. This genre tends to include a lot of experiences that ask the player to keep to a specific beat. Despite being packaged in a variety of different ways, the one goal of all of these entries is to do the best to keep that rhythm going throughout a challenge or adventure.

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A lot of the major rhythm games released over the years have done so across all platforms. But some of the hidden gems of the genre can mostly be found exclusively on PC, where there is a vibrant indie development space that is always worth checking out.

8

UNBEATABLE [White Label]

It’s rare that developers would release a side story of a game that hasn’t come out yet, but the folks over at D-CELL GAMES are trying it out with UNBEATABLE [white label]. Set in the world of the developer’s upcoming rhythm adventure game UNBEATABLE, [white label] is an episodic series that revolves around a young girl learning a new song.

The game features battles that can be fought to the beat of the music playing during it. It is set in a world that can be traversed in 3D with characters drawn in 2D. Thus far, only one episode has been released but more are planned for this beautifully animated game.

7

Quaver

It’s a rhythm experience combined with a sandbox environment. In Quaver, players can take on two different types of challenges. They can either try their hand at various songs using only four keys or increase the difficulty by using seven keys.

However, the key to the Quaver experience is for people to create their own maps and challenge people around the globe to try their hand at it. Creators can pick from a variety of different songs as well as a slew of customizable options that change the look of a map. The game is strictly community-driven.

6

Project Arrhythmia

A lot of rhythm games task the player with trying to time their inputs with the beats of a song. However, there are some twists on this concept across the rhythm game spectrum. Take the early access game Project Arrhythmia, for example.

This musical bullet-hell has players play as a programmer attempting to determine if projects they came across might help them find a cure to a virus called the “Tokyo Flu.” Each level has players attempting to dodge hazards to the tune of the song as it also attempts to tell the story of each of these projects.

5

Rhythm Doctor

It only makes sense that there is a rhythm game revolving around keeping up with someone’s heartbeat. In Rhythm Doctor, players take on the role of a doctor in a world where learning a patient’s heart patterns is key to healing them. Specifically, players must learn to press their space bar at the seventh beat for each song.

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The early access experience features over 20 levels, with each revolving around a different patient and their story. There is a local multiplayer option as well as a level editor for those interested in community levels.

4

Ragnarock

These rhythm games are great on their own, but what if they were also in virtual reality? While there are some major VR titles in the genre, a smaller game that is worth checking out is the nordic-themed Ragnarock.

The heart of the gameplay is being a Viking captain who is trying to lead his ship to a victory in a race. Timing slamming on the drums in front of them while listening to rock and metal tracks will make players feel like they are on an epic journey. Along with a solo mode, there is a multiplayer component where players can pit their skill against others in either a public or private match.

3

Intralism

Generally speaking, this genre tends to contain entries that are meant to be very difficult. Intralism embraces this. The object of the game is to listen to the song that plays and try to match the arc that is displayed to the beat with not much room for error.

Intralism gives people the opportunity to create their own beat maps. In addition, each map has its own global ranking system that could reveal that the player is among the best in the world. There are also online battles and items that could be won by winning.

2

Spin Rhythm XD

Another early access game, Spin Rhythm XD is meant to embrace Guitar Hero-like mechanics and turn them up a notch. With a library of electronic music, this rhythm entry puts players in control of a “wheel” of buttons that they must use to press the correct colored button at the right time while also spinning the entire wheel when prompted.

This unique take can be played in five difficulties and with a nice amount of accessibility features. The game can be played with a mouse and keyboard, a gamepad, and even MIDI DJ turntables.

1

Audiosurf

A classic of the computer scene, Audiosurf is one of the more personal rhythm PC games out there. Released in 2008, Audiosurf asks players to find some of their favorite songs, whether they are formats like MP3s or iTunes M4As, and the game will design a level automatically that players can experience.

The game is a puzzle racer where players must try to hit as many blocks of the same color to wrack up a certain amount of points all to the beat of the song of choice. There is also a sequel to the game, Audiosurf 2, that allows people to incorporate Steam workshop mods.

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