Sport reveals like PAX East are the place the place somebody could discover their subsequent favourite recreation. And the great thing about all of it is that should you ask anybody one that attended a conference, their reply for what their favourite recreation of the present can be can be completely different. For me, that recreation this yr was Buffalo Buffalo’s, Fresh Tracks. Its mixture of music, welcoming gameplay to rhythm video games and roguelikes, its setting, and its narration and narrative created a combination that hooked me proper from the leap. And I couldn’t shut up about it when speaking to mates. Critically, go ask anybody who hung out with me at PAX, they usually can affirm this.
Fresh Tracks takes place in a Scandinavian-based fictional world. You play as Skaii, who begins a quest to unite the pantheon of the land of Norwyn. Norwyn has fallen to darkness below the blight of Mar, the Queen of Terror. To cease their rule, you could convey again rhythm, tune, and people who can save their folks. How do you do that? By snowboarding throughout the lands.
A rhythm rogue-like might odor hassle. Listening to the songs over and over with increased problem components might be annoying. But the songs accessible on the present ground have been past catchy. It’s a promising signal that I needed to listen to the remainder of the soundtrack after the primary space had this many hits. Particularly when every space has a theme. The primary space focuses on pop, the opposite is about metallic, and so forth. The soundtrack you play to is sort of a “select your individual journey” however with a observe record.
Beating a degree provides you an possibility of problem, tune, and boon. Fresh Tracks additionally makes clear when a degree’s observe is one you’ve not heard but. It’s a good way to push you to attempt new ranges as you progress. And the rhythm mechanics are fantastically welcoming, even to those that aren’t good at rhythm video games.
Fresh Tracks doesn’t require good rhythm to have a good time.
Fresh Tracks isn’t at all times about staying on beat. You’ll have particular notes and obstacles coming at you on the beat, but it provides you time to arrange to hit them as a substitute of getting to be precisely correct to the rhythm. As an illustration, there can be timber that you could be want to chop down. Their window to be sliced down is fairly forgiving. Or generally you possibly can transfer out of their manner. Identical for different obstacles, the place you could lean out of the way in which. You’ll be able to be taught forward of time if you see what’s coming to prepare, which counts within the grand scheme of issues as leaning on the beat.
Being on beat is rewarding, although. Like slicing these timber down? The nearer you’re to hitting it on time, the extra cost you’ll get to your weapon, which, if crammed, will heal you up. So being riskier will reward you with extra well being. Identical for getting a bit bit extra foreign money to purchase upgrades and boons in between ranges. Even the roguelike components, beginning over should you die, aren’t as dangerous for individuals who don’t like roguelikes due to how diversified the songs are, the narration, and the animation.
The world is gorgeous, with every degree considerably completely different from what you’ll face whereas taking place the observe. One degree, you’ll have pillars taking pictures out of the bottom or flying at you. One other, you’ll have some funky villagers attempt to assault you to cease your progress. And as you go down these tracks, your chosen companion will inform you a narrative with completely different lore about that space, your self, your journey, and extra.
Unlocking a brand new companion and taking place that very same observe will provide you with a brand new story. It’s a incredible strategy to promote replayability, not simply by getting higher rewards, however to listen to extra about an fascinating story about one’s journey.
Fresh Tracks is a winter wonderland for individuals who are in search of an amazing rhythm roguelike that doesn’t rely closely on the worst elements of each of these genres. It’s such a welcoming recreation that I can’t wait to play extra of. The music alone may have you coming again for another run. The storytelling will seize you as you hear Skaii’s full epic. And belief me after I say, Fresh Tracks finds a strategy to shred that powder whereas being welcoming to everybody who hasn’t stepped down this path earlier than.
Fresh Tracks is coming quickly to PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5.
