There is a huge variety of different rhythm games out there, so we have hand-selected the best toe-tapping musical indie games for you to play.
When it comes to games with good music, there are so many to choose from. But, if you want that music to be a core part of the gameplay – to follow the beat and to ensure that you are finding yourself clicking or playing along with this rhythm – you probably want to find some rhythm games. Classic rhythm games that come to mind always have the notes falling from some unknown space, allowing you to follow them, quickly hitting the corresponding buttons, but when it comes to the best indie rhythm games, some of the games do follow this, while others work with rhythm in new ways.
Everhood
Everhood uses rhythm as a weapon against you, having you leap and dodge around sound waves that come out from each enemy’s songs. With such a wild array of characters and tracks, this gets to be pretty harrying in a hurry. However, it’s hard to walk away from due to the compelling characters and surreal world it all takes place in. And there’s some kart racing, because why not?
“The music battles are fought by having waves of notes rushing your way. Think Guitar Hero, but instead of hitting the buttons to match the notes, you instead have to hop and move around the incoming commands. You’ll also get a sword to hit the notes back at times, but for the most part, you’ll need fast feet to keep from being beaten up by a tune played on a few planks of wood. Like I said, the game can get kind of bizarre. But in a really charming way!”
Read our review of Everhood.
Muse Dash
Muse Dash is all about fighting to the beat, having you defend a pair of lanes from an onslaught of enemies that appear along to the music. Filled with high-energy tracks, though, it can become quite ruthless despite its cute, colorful look. It also offers a ton of fun characters to use while playing along the music, giving you many different ways to tackle the songs you like.
“Muse Dash features a selection of upbeat tracks for you to thump critters to, having you defending two lanes by hitting a button to attack in each lane. Creatures will come to you to the beat, and you’ll need to fend these adorable beasts off. This simplicity made it very approachable for a certain person who is not very good at rhythm games. Not that it doesn’t offer challenge, as you can push yourself on higher difficulties if you’re more comfortable with the genre.”
Watch our IG+ First Look at Muse Dash.
Poco a Poco
Poco a Poco sees you conducting a frog boy choir to sing in order to cheer up sad frogs. The inputs are straightforward, but it’s still a challenge. Plus, it’s endlessly delightful to make frogs happy, right?
“Commanding a three frog chorus, your job as Maestro is to hit those notes with style. The controls are as simple as 1, 2, 3 (Literally). Just hit those notes to the beat of the songs and you’ll be chaining together strong combos to rack up some major points. If you sing your heart out, your frog-in-distress will be hopping for joy. Frog songs are magical, after all. This is pretty basic knowledge. I’m surprised you didn’t already know that.”
Read our review of Poco a Poco.
Songbird Symphony
Songbird Symphony is a game filled with cute animals and vibrant song & dance numbers. Not only do these timing-based musical encounters create steadily more elaborate dances, but you can also rescue lost animals while exploring, each adding new notes to the background music and enriching it. It feels like a celebration of the vitalizing power of music, and is easily among the best indie rhythm games.
“You’ll be joining Birb on a journey through the wilds, meeting all kinds of other birds who can help in his travels. Well, if you can keep up with the music, that is. You’ll be engaging in song-based battles, tapping the right buttons to keep up with the ever-more complicated patterns that the game throws at you. These come with some spectacular dances with your allies and enemies, making for a colorful show as you savor the tunes.”
Read our review of Songbird Symphony.
Nocturne: Prelude
Nocturne: Prelude, released in 2020 by Pracy Studios, is an RPG at heart, but the interesting and captivating rhythm combat really ensures that this game belongs on a rhythm game list. This first chapter is about eternal life, and the sacrifices that are made for it.
“If you’re a master of rhythm, you’ll have no problem taking on Nocturne: Prelude‘s challenges. You may even want to ramp up the difficulty if you’re finding your skills aren’t being tested. For those less rhythmically-inclined, yet love a good twisted tale, you will be able to take on an appropriately-leveled challenge to build those skills up. You wouldn’t want to miss out on this twist on classic RPGs that lets you meet a variety of characters trying to survive this world. A dark story awaits you if you’re willing to step to the beat and take on a mysterious force.”
Read our review of Nocturne: Prelude.
Hexagroove: Tactical DJ
Hexagroove: Tactical DJ, released in 2019 by Ichigolchie, is a musical strategy game that follows more of the traditional rhythm game format. However, the intensity and challenge comes in more of a strategic form. You will have access to tons of instrumental loops and dance genres as well.
“As a game, it feels as though it straddles the line between music-generator and traditional game, although the developers would tell you that it follows a lot of the rules of the strategy genre. The core gameplay loop in Hexagroove: Tactical DJ involves switching buttons on and off at the right time, with each of the eight buttons positioned in a circle to match the Switch’s analog stick axis. Once you’ve selected an instrument, you can then pick from four loops which all work on the same beat — so you’ll always be creating rhythmic music, even if you’re picking at random.”
Read our review of Hexagrove: Tactical DJ.
Seeds Of Love
Seeds of Love was created by the UCSU Game Design and Art Collaboration in 2019, bringing a lovely little musical game together.
“To find your lot in farming life, you will be challenged in a multi-lane rhythm game. You’ll have to switch lanes to hit different targets and still manage to keep in time with the music. The outcome of these games will directly influence María’s mood. If you do poorly, she won’t be too pleased. If you’re on a date, it’s sure to go sour. So, to make sure María is successful in life and love, get into the groove of the musical blend of folk, country, jazz, classical, and EDM.”
Read our review of Seeds of Love.
Tadpole Treble Encore
Tadpole Treble Encore is a sheet music-inspired rhythm game that came out in 2016, created by BitFinity and Sunken Treasure games.
“The original Steam release had you guiding Baton, a charming newborn frog, through a sheet music obstacle course that matched enemies with the current song. If you dodged well and hit percussive notes, you’d be able to blast through things for a little while. This is all assuming you don’t get caught up in the game’s lovely, varied soundtrack and forget what you are doing. You might get even MORE caught up making your own music in the game, though. It features a Composition Mode that lets you create songs and levels for other players. So, you’ve got the freedom to make some really nice music (or something punishing and ridiculous) if you’re feeling creative. Besides, what could be better than making a good song that also viciously punishes your friends in amusing ways?”
Read our review of Tadpole Treble Encore.
Super Dodgeball Beats
Super Dodgeball Beats came out in 2019 courtesy of FinalBoss Games. It combined sports and rhythm into something unique and new.
“Super Dodgeball Beats mixes rhythm and sports with a high-energy visual style, having you pit your team of players against a variety of wild opponents from across the globe. These varied teams will bring vampires, thunder-powered ancients, and more to bear against your group of dodgeball students, so you’ll have to make sure your throws are all in perfect tune to the beat if you want to win.”
Read our review of Super Dodgeball Beats.
Floor Kids
Floor Kids, developed by MERJ Media, launched in 2018, bringing the idea of breakdancing into a unique, trick-styled rhythm game that has a big “one more go” feel to it.
“This form of dance exploration makes for some interesting rhythm-based play, as it encourages creativity while still following the beat. It’s a compelling take on rhythm games, and with its striking art style creating smooth transitions between whatever moves you choose to pick, it’s up to you how you wish to express yourself through dance.”
Read our review of Floor Kids.
Do you have a rhythm game you love to jam out too? Please share them in the comments and on our social media so we can find even more great indie games on the service!
About The Author
No love for Crypt of the Necrodancer? It may be old but it’s still the ur-example of the Indie Rhythm Game
Shoutouts to Rhythm Doctor by 7th Beat Games too – it’s still only early access but it was one of the highlights of 2021 for me. 🙂
Guys, if you are interested in rhythm game creation try MusicBoy Editor http://www.mboy-editor.com/