GAMbIT Magazine Issue #12 June 2015 | Page 15

(movement) on said enemies, but you’ll also have access to a variety of weapons to aid on your adventure. Each weapon that you collect, or purchase from the hub store, has unique properties that offer you some sort of tactical advantage against various enemies. Some will up your attack range, some can be thrown at enemies, some have magical properties that offer up massive damage, and many also come in enchanted versions. Likewise, armor and items can also be snagged to help you better deal with the hazards you’ll face. until death comes a knocking.

Learning patterns is the key to everything and the games opening cinematic makes mention of this. The patterns you’ll have to learn are not only from the enemies you’ll be facing, but from the music that the game spits out at you. As this is a rhythm game, it will live and die by its musical choices. Crypt of the NecroDancer nails the audio as every track really drives the game forward. It’s the first game that I can remember where I actually downloaded the soundtrack just so I can play it outside of the game. Every track is done in a chiptune style, with tracks ranging from slower paced affairs, to crazy uptempo dance mixes that will keep your reflexes sharp. On top of all that, the game features fully voiced cutscenes as well as in game voice cues that are extremely well done and add to this already great package.

The game itself is a throwback to roguelikes of old, so the graphics style is done with some really solid sprite art. Even though Crypt of the NecroDancer is a dungeon crawler, the animations and world is all so bright and vibrant, with lots of color and detail. The game has a very light tone to it and that really helps keep the whole experience fun. As the music is an integral part of the experience you will get perks for staying with the beat. You can rack up coin combos by not skipping and that activates the games “Disco Floor” that not only adds a score multiplier, but another visual pop that adds to the games overall aesthetic.

Add seven large bosses that will test your patience and rhythm skills to the whole thing and you have a game that is not only fun, but quite challenging as well. Crypt of the NecroDancer is game that I would have never thought would exist, but one that we so desperately needed in a time of so many generic offerings. Crypt of the NecroDancer is the kind of game that you’ll love like crazy whether you complete it a half-dozen times, or even if you can’t get past the first zone. Add in a ton of additional modes and daily challenges and you have a must have title that I can’t recommend enough.

J. Luis

@_ShadowGallery