Rhythm titles are always a fun time, especially for people who enjoy music. While rhythm games typically aren’t in the conversation of the best games dominating the industry conversation, they certainly have a large audience that will be drawn to them.
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The Xbox Series X/S, luckily, has a wide catalog of games thanks in part to its backward compatibility and Game Pass. Many solid games on the service either have rhythm elements or are top to bottom rhythm games throughout. Either way, those who love rhythm games on Xbox Series X/S have a lot to choose from.
Among the popular narrative adventure games on Xbox Series X/S wasRoad 96, a game that had a procedurally-generated story that put players in the shoes of several kids trying to escape a totalitarian regime. A few years after its release, the gamegot a rhythm spin-offtitle calledRoad 96: Mile 0.
Taking place before the events ofRoad 96,Mile 0focuses on the story of Zoe and Kaito as their friendship is challenged thanks to the changes happening in their world. The musical sequences in the game will not only test rhythm skills but will also force players to make choices in the story.
6Kingdom Hearts: Melody Of Memory
One game franchise that is known for having an incredible soundtrack isKingdom Hearts. It makes sense that eventually, fans of the series would get a rhythm spin-off that would also build a little bit more of the game’s story. That entry came out in 2020 asKingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory.
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Set after the events ofall the gamesreleased before it,Melody of Memoryis a recap of the events of the franchise while also building on the story from Kairi’s perspective. Players will have to press buttons in line with the music while taking on enemies and bosses associated with specific worlds and entries of the franchise.
5A Musical Story
Rhythm games can sometimes have narratives that have nothing to do with the music being played, butA Musical Storyis actually about a group of musicians in the 1970s looking to hit the road and try to make it big. Specifically, it focuses on Gabriel as he tries to remember his memories after a car crash.
The arc ofA Musical Storytakes players on a journey through Gabriel’s day-to-day life until his friends decide to hit the road. Along the way, he meets a girl that joins them on the road trip. The gameplay involves hitting a sequence of notes that appear as a ringas the story plays out. Players will get endless chances at getting the notes right before going to the next sequence.
4Rhythm Sprout
It is always a delight to get a rhythm game that is as colorful and cheery asRhythm Sprout, a comedic action-adventure game where Sprout, a knight hired by King Brook to find his daughter, goes on a journey through various food-themed areas and fights different enemies based on snacks.
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Players mainly use two buttonsin the gameplayofRhythm Sprout, with a third prompt only tasking the player to hit both buttons at the same time. Music ranges from chill beats to EDM, depending on the situation that is unfolding. All the while, there are plenty of hilarious characters and situations that players will run into.
3Taiko No Tatsujin: The Drum Master
One of the few Microsoft exclusives that is available only on Xbox Series X/S and Windows through the Microsoft Store,Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Masteris part of a series of games from Bandai Namco that is all about hitting a Taiko drum to the beat of the music.
The gamefeatures 70 songs, ranging from music made by the team behind the game all the way through classic hits that people would hear on the radio. In addition to single-player and local multiplayer, there is an online ranked mode forTaiko no Tatsujinwhere players can go against other players of their skill level.
2Metal: Hellsinger
From the vibrant and silly to the dark and sinister,Metal: Hellsingertakes on a completely different vibe from other rhythm games. This first-person shooter takes inspiration fromDoomwhile implementing a solid heavy metal soundtrack where players shoot their guns in rhythm with the music.
Playing as The Unknown, players will go through each level ofMetal: Hellsingerwith the goal of taking out as many demons as possible while ranking up combos based on how well each of their moments goes in rhythm with the music playing in the background. Thelead vocals for songscome from notable artists in the heavy metal scene.
1Hi-Fi Rush
For the longest time, Xbox Games Studios had not had a significant rhythm title to call its own. That changed with the release ofHi-Fi Rushfrom Tango Gameworks, a studio that was better known for its horror titles than a lighthearted rhythm action platformer.
As Chai, who accidentally had an MP3 player installed into his body, players will be tasked to escape a facility that is attempting to kill Chai because he is considered a “defect.” Themusical vibesemitting from the MP3 player cause the world to be in sync with the music, which makesHi-Fi Rusha blast to play since it is encouraged to fight in line with the music to get combos.
