The Metronomicon

Crypt of the Necrodancer managed to make a really interesting blend of rhythm game and roguelike, with both aspects of the game being truely merged and equally important. In contrast, The Metronomicon is a generic rhythm game that happens to show pictures of some incredibly cliched characters while you're playing. The RPG aspects are effectively meaningless, with just the odd stat change that has no noticable effect on the actual gameplay. This is not helped by the interface. You're supposed to try to match elements in attack and defence to increase "damage", but the icons are both tiny to the point of unreadability and on the opposite side of the screen from the rhythm arrows you need to focus on. On anything other than the easiest songs, even looking at your characters or the monsters is hardly possible, making the entire visual theme completely pointless. As for the music, that's always going to be more a matter of personal preference, but for the most part it's just bland and instantly forgetable. There are plenty of classic tunes around that are clearly well written and memorable even if you don't like their genre, but I wouldn't recognise a single tune from this game if I heard it elsewhere. Overall, it's a big disappointment. A rhythm-RPG with the latter a tacked-on gimmick and the former just boring and generic. There's really nothing to recommend here.

The Metronomicon is a rhythm game unlike any other - you control a party of four characters, each with their own abilities, and you fight a procession of dancing monsters by hitting a sequence of notes correctly to activate said abilities. The songs are excellent and you'll find yourself looking up the songs and artists when you're not playing. The only downside I can find is that there's currently no way to buy the soundtrack, except at that lesser digital distribution site. Come on, Puuba, get on this, I WANT THESE TUNES! The writing is extremely silly, but how else could it be when the game has you fighting dancing bears at a rave? Also, the game works with a wide variety of controllers, including my USB Xbox 360 Rock Band guitar controller, and I've heard it will work with dance pad controllers - the buttons are easily customizable as well. Don't go into it expecting the deepest RPG ever - the RPG mechanics exist to keep you coming back, defeating stronger enemies and bosses, and unlocking achievements. As such, they do a splendid job. Easily one of my favorite games of the year, The Metronomicon is a wonderful surprise, and an excellent addition to any rhythm gamer's library.

Not a perfect game, hopefully if a sequel is ever made they will improve upon it, the music is good, great to listen to and importantly easy to here the beat. The game play is what you'd expect from a dance pad game on a keyboard, with keyboard controls and the switching between characters is a cool gameplay element which is necessary although even more fun with someone else playing. If they did make a sequel I'd love some clearer visual feedback that I've actually hit the notes as when playing with a keyboard there isn't that much feedback on whether or not I hit the notes, also it would be nice to be able to create my own charts with my own songs.

A uniquely humorous dance-fighting game.