Every now and again, I come across a game that is truly stunning, putting me in a place of joy that I honestly didn’t expect. Sometimes this feeling comes from games that I may not even enjoy all that much or at least a game I find extreme fault in. Just Shapes & Beats was a game that I heard of often from my colleagues here at Marooners’ Rock but I didn’t realize how much I would adore this game until firing it up recently on the PS4.
Just Shapes & Beats lives up to its name; it’s a rhythm driven game all about dodging bullet-hell style obstacles that may remind gamers of the harder fights in Undertale. Players take on the role of a little blue shape and must dodge all of the hurtful pink patterns, all to the beat of some of the best EDM around. The moment to moment gameplay ebbs and flows and can be extremely tense sometimes and getting into a groove creates that amazing feeling of being in the zone. All of the action is handled with the analog stick and a couple of dash buttons. I do wish there had been some button remapping options though. I really wanted to play with dash as L1.
While the game is certainly challenging, there is a casual mode available in the options that doubles the hits one can take from three to six. However, even with that advantage, there were several tracks and bosses that required several attempts and created a bit of frustration. Bosses, in particular, were hard because of their lack of checkpoints. Although finally winning creates that addictive sense of catharsis.
Those seeking that challenge though will find it in Just Shapes & Beats as each level is a test of dexterity and awareness. For anyone who has already exhausted the levels on Switch or PC, there is a new hardcore that ups the difficulty for every track to celebrate the new PS4 version. Fear not Switch and PC players! A hardcore update will be available soon. Berzerk Studio also added localization options for German and both Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
There are playable intervals in the story mode.
What was truly groundbreaking to me about this title is the use of sharp, fluid animation that is coupled with excellent music. Anyone studying graphic design should check out Just Shapes & Beats. This level of mastery is made apparent almost immediately in the game’s story mode, which does a great job of creating emotional moments without dialogue. The game’s first boss fight is nothing short of spectacular.
I ended up besting the first couple bosses and then opted for the extra health option. I do wish there had been the same easy option in story mode as what’s found in the game’s party mode which features unlimited lives and multiplayer.
Multiplayer simply adds more characters on screen who have the added ability to revive fallen allies. I imagine that this could be a wild time at game nights, especially for those with nice sound systems. Lastly, there is a challenge mode in which players pick a song from three options and go through a randomized, almost roguelike run. This is where the game’s full soundtrack is steadily unlocked but know that some goals to get songs are incredibly time-consuming. That said, any game where the classic Mortal Kombat song is a level has my vote.
On PS4 there were very few visual hang-ups, at least none that affected gameplay. There were times that it felt like there could have been lag but the game moves so quickly and demands complete attention that it could’ve been just me. There is also a photosensitive mode for those that struggle with flashing screens; I turned it on myself as it reduces the intensity of flashes. That said, this is the sort of game I wouldn’t play for long periods of time due to the visual cacophony.
Deceptively simple. Don’t touch the pink.
Even with that in mind, I think that Just Shapes & Beats could make for a fantastic VR game and I would love to see it brought to the PSVR. Tetris Effect showed that there can be almost a monk-like zen with visuals and sound in a VR setting. It would be cool to see that approach from Berzerk Studio. Either way, this is a development group with an edge for visual flair and their future works will be games to watch out for.
Even though I didn’t get heavily invested in the challenge, I think just about anyone will enjoy Just Shapes & Beats. The story is a must play that has some truly incredible moments, making for an easy recommendation to just about any type of player.
Just Shapes & Beats is available now for the PS4. A digital copy of the game was provided for review purposes.
For another recent review, check out our look at the Switch version of Masquerada: Songs and Shadows or Under Night In-Birth Exe: Late[st] which most people call UNIST.
