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Ever since music-based game classics such as Dance Dance Revolution, Bust A Groove, Frequency, and it’s follow up Amplitude came along, I’ve been a huge fan of the genre. There’s just something about that classic, hand and eye coordination gameplay that once you get in the groove (pun intended), it’s hard to stop playing.
Enter Spin Rhythm XD, the latest entry in this indestructable genre that perfectly captures what makes these games so fun and addictive while making it accessible to casual game players to the most hardcore, twitch reaction gamers that anyone can pick up and enjoy.
While Steam and Nintendo Switch players have been enjoying this awesome game since last year, it finally makes it’s PlayStation debut on the PS4, PS5, and PSVR2 for those really looking to throw themselves into the music-based action. Like most rhythm games, the object is to line up the correct colors, red and blue, with the corresponding notes that trickle down the “highway” in the middle of the screen.
To keep things more interesting though, Spin Rhythm XD uses a wheel that you spin to the correct color while also giving you other ways to play, such as flicking your analog stick left or right depending on the direction shown on screen, to spin your wheel wildly as the music plays, as well as having to tap some of the notes that come along using one of your controller’s face buttons while other notes only need to be grabbed by making sure the correct color on the wheel is lined up with them.
It sounds complicated, but it’s anything but once you start the short and sweet tutorial. Once you’ve got the basics down and selected your difficulty level which adds or takes away more complex notes and wheel movements, you’re off to explore the loads of music tracks you can spin your way through. Most of them consist of genres such as Dubstep, Chiptunes, EDM, and more from artists like 2 Mello, Hyper Potions, Panda Eyes, Lena Raine, Tokyo Machine, and tons more.
As you play, you’ll earn experience points that’ll allow you to unlock extra music tracks as well as some cool customization options such as changing the colors, texture, and more of your wheel, the music highway, your avatar, and more. I also love how there’s loads of accessibility options such as making sure the music is syncing properly to your button presses, how the wheel responds and plays, and more to make sure anyone and everyone can play and have a great time.
There’s also local multiplayer for up to four players which is nice, but it would’ve been awesome if online play was offered along with some other game modes to keep things lively. Even still, you’ll have plenty of fun making your way through the tracks and unlocking more as you go.
If you happen to pick up the Deluxe Edition (or buy the DLC separately), there’s more music tracks to play through with the Chillhop and Monstercat packs that also include some exclusive customizable options, as well as a Supporter Pack with even more cool options that also supports the developers, which is always a plus and will hopefully pave the way for a sequel.
Fans of music games or those looking for something cool to play will want to get their groove on with Spin Rhythm XD. It’s fun for casual and hardcore gamers while also being extremely addictive and hard to put down once you get into it. Toss in 60 music tracks for you to play your way through (even more with the DLC), and you’ve got a title you’ll be toe-tapping and spinning to for a long time.