Thumper Review
Reviewed by: Joseph Yaden
VR portion by: Stephen Marro
Available on: PC, PS4, PS VR, Switch, Xbox One
Reviewed on: Switch and PS4/PS VR
With a dark, ominous tone, and a drone-like, mechanical soundtrack, Thumper is the first “Rhythm-Violence” game I’ve ever played. While it isn’t violent in the traditional sense, the feeling of violence and discomfort is still there, making this a unique experience. In 2017, where many games lack originality, unique experiences like this should be cherished.
Thumper doesn’t have licensed songs, or even recognizable music, per se. What it does have are rhythmic, industrial sounds, not unlike those that would be found in a robot assembly line. Many rhythm games have immediately identifiable “songs”, but with Thumper, that is not the case. This works in the game’s favor. The tone is so dark and eerie that it almost makes this feel like a horror game at times, thanks to the incredible sound design. I tried playing a level with the sound turned off, and the game lost a lot of the feeling. So it’s safe to say the game’s soundtrack is essential for player immersion.
The player takes on the role of a beetle going down a track, interacting with the environment in a musical way. Like many rhythm games, the track mercilessly throws obstacles at the player. It gets to the point where there are so many button combinations happening in rapid succession, that the player must be in a trance-like state, just to be able to hit all the beats successfully. Doing so definitely behooves the player, because missing the beats results in taking damage. This causes pieces of the beetle’s shield come off, which is oddly satisfying, yet detrimental. If the beats are hit correctly, the player is rewarded with not only points, but the completion of the music coming through, beautifully. The nice thing about this is that if the player dies, they are returned to a checkpoint instantly, so there is no waiting around to respawn. Dying will happen a lot, too, especially towards the middle and end of the game. The obstacles start coming so quickly, that some areas will take a few tries to get down. Other than attempting to S rank all the levels, the main challenge is when the bosses come in.
That's right. BOSSES. A music game with boss battles. What a time to be alive! The bosses are similar to the rest of the level, culminating all of the new things the player should have learned throughout. However, there are no checkpoints during the boss fights, so the player must be a master to overcome them.
In addition to the fantastic soundtrack and the sheer fact that there are boss battles, Thumper is distinct in its visuals. The imagery outside the track is somewhat transcendental. It's like a mixture of space and a dream, something rarely explored in games. The bosses look like something from a nightmare too, and they stand out, especially against the less aggressive environments.
Thumper is available on multiple platforms. While the game is mostly the same on each platform, there are two that have specific benefits. Like most games on the Switch, this one lends itself well to the platform. It’s set up in such a way where a player can knock out a few checkpoints on the train, or even on break at work. It’s definitely something that can be picked up and played, with no worries of having to pay attention to story.
Stephen's Take
“Virtual reality, however, is where the game truly shines as the intensity and sense of speed is enhanced tenfold when you’re immersed in the action. The field of view is improved upon while in VR, and the experience can be exhilarating, with the sense of scale during the boss fights being especially jaw-dropping.”
After finishing Thumper, it’s safe to say this is a horror game. It’s not immediately clear at first, but I felt uncomfortable, uneasy, and tense while playing. Few games elicit such intense feelings, let alone rhythm games.
Thumper is a stand-out music game and a unique experience in general. I have not played anything that looks or sounds like this and I will undoubtedly be thinking about it for years to come.
Consider playing if you enjoy:
Music games that buck the tradition set by Guitar Hero or Rock Band
Atmospheric, surreal, and abstract experiences
An arcadey challenge
Consider skipping if:
The idea of unsettling and/or uncomfortable experiences turns you off
You like your music games with licensed music
You want a game that doesn’t require much focus
RATING: GOOD
This game is a quality experience and is recommended.
