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Rhythm games are a staple for every generation. Music already plays a large role in other genres, but here, every note, beat, and crescendo is central to the experience. Whether you enjoy the music itself or testing your own rhythm as you go, there are plenty of games out there.
There are always promising titles on the horizon, but there are already a lot of awesome games that’ll keep your ears happy and trigger fingers busy on PC. If you’re not sure where to start, the best rhythm games on Steam cover pretty much every end of the spectrum.
Updated September 16, 2023, by Gary Kay: As the years go on, the global success of rhythm games continues to grow as more and more gamers discover this satisfying genre. And with more people playing, there are more rhythm games being put out. The strength of modern rhythm games is their variety and just how many different types are available.
This means that no matter what kind of games you love, there will be a rhythm game that will suit your taste. Steam has a wide selection of rhythm games available, so which are the best on the platform?
Best Aesthetic Rhythm Game - Melatonin
A lot of rhythm games can be completely focused on the gameplay while the visuals take a backseat, and that works for plenty of games. With Melatonin, however, the aesthetic is baked into the foundations of this satisfying rhythm-based story.
The pastel-toned hue that dominates the look of the game keeps its various minigames feeling cohesive, and the look of each game matches the thematic throughline that makes this game such an emotional experience.
Best Y2K Style Rhythm Game - Space Channel 5
With so many amazing rhythm games coming out in recent years, it is easy to forget that we have been getting some amazing rhythm games for years already. An amazing example of this is Space Channel 5. It's a great way to get that retro Y2K gaming fix, especially if you are a rhythm game fan.
Ulala has become an icon for fans of the Y2K aesthetic, and the game she stars in continues this. The blend of rhythm and action is a unique experience every fan of the genre should experience at least once.
Best Storytelling - Hi-Fi Rush
With so many rhythm games just being collections of songs you can play at your leisure, it is sometimes easy to overlook the more structured experiences. But Hi-Fi Rush manages to balance impeccable rhythm gameplay with an adventurous story that will captivate you until its action-packed conclusion.
The game tells the story of Chai, who gets some defective cyborg-like surgery and has to survive being eradicated by the perpetrators. Along the way, Chai will meet some colorful characters, all while enjoying the music that moves the game world.
Best Intense Rhythm Game - Thumper
A lot of people play rhythm games to relax, and plenty of games in the genre fulfill this purpose perfectly, but a rhythm game that will get your hands sweaty and your heart rate up is Thumper.
Thumper is described as an immersive rhythm horror experience, with the bug-like character you control facing abstract enemies that get more and more relentless with their attacks as the game goes on. The gameplay is tough, but it is also incredibly satisfying when you are finally able to complete a level.
Rhythm Game With The Most Variety - Sayonara Wild Hearts
It is a common struggle that some gamers can have trouble completing rhythm games with how repetitive the gameplay can be. However, Sayonara Wild Hearts is a rhythm game with the opposite of this problem.
It helps that the game is pretty short, but even within its runtime, it manages to tell an engaging story while also constantly changing up the gameplay so the audience doesn't have a chance to become complacent.
Best Quirky Rhythm Game - Rhythm Sprout
With more and more rhythm games coming out every year, it is getting more and more challenging for new games to stick out, but this is not a problem shared by Rhythm Sprout.
It is a rhythm-action genre hybrid with a unique but cute look that keeps you playing through the adorable but unusual story until it is finished. The game also borrows from a variety of genres to keep the soundtrack fresh, with everything from lo-fi to K-pop included.
Best Roguelike Rhythm Game - Crypt Of The Necrodancer
As with any good roguelike, Crypt of the Necrodancer is not easy to beat. The gameplay is so engaging, though, that it’s worth practicing to get as far as you can. It manages to be one of those games you just can’t be annoyed about when you lose.
The soundtrack is already fantastic on its own, but the game also lets you play using your own MP3 files. It’s a neat little touch that helps to change things up whenever you feel like it.
Best Rhythm Game For Metalheads - Metal: Hellsinger
In Metal: Hellsinger, you journey through hell with the power of metal and dope tools of righteous violence. The premise is simple enough: you must time your attacks to the beat in order to inflict maximum damage on the variety of Hellspawn that want to consume you.
It’s an intense journey that is worth coming back to time and again. What makes it even better is that the music gets more intense the longer you stay on beat. Once you get to lyrical levels, it’s almost like an out-of-body experience. Metal fans will rejoice in the epic list of artists they got for the soundtrack, with legends like Serj Tankian, Tatiana Shmayluk, and Randy Blythe on the roster.
Funniest Rhythm Game - Trombone Champ
A game that lets you dramatically play My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion as if you were one of the musicians on the Titanic (albeit via modding)? Definitely a win.
Trombone Champ is a truly fun rhythm game that manages to be both silly and exquisite at once. The goal is to toot your trombone to become, well, the Trombone Champ, and it is not as easy as it looks. Thankfully, there are a lot of sloppy laughs to be had.
Most Cinematic Rhythm Game - Pistol Whip
Although you obviously want to focus on the rhythm aspect of such a game, Pistol Whip stands out for its eclectic visuals. The art style makes for an amazing VR experience that really enhances how the game plays.
On top of that, the music tracks used in the game perfectly the wild scenes you can explore. If you’ve finished your journey and want more, their Styles system helps modify the gameplay enough to make a replay enjoyable.
Rhythm Game With A Great Steam Workshop - Intralism
Intralism’s gameplay interface is quite different from other rhythm games of its kind, but it should appeal to you if you graduated from Osu. The round layout is where you need to hit your notes, which can be jarring at first but is easy enough to pick up on the keyboard.
Where Intralism shines, though, is its community. You’ll find a large, active space in Steam where members upload custom maps, hold tournaments, and share guides and memes.
Rhythm Game For Norse Gods - Ragnarock
It’s always rad when games let you play as a Viking, and Ragnarock cranks that up by throwing you in command of Viking ships that you lead by playing drums. Hard rock and metal tracks with distinctive Nordic flavor adorn this VR adventure as you use the hammer of the gods to achieve greatness.
You can captain your ships solo or embark on PvP battles against other players. If you ever watched Mad Max: Fury Road and wanted to feel the power behind going to war with a battle song, Ragnarock is the one to get.
Hardest Rhythm Game For Masochists - A Dance Of Fire And Ice
The whole goal of A Dance of Fire and Ice is simple — help two orbiting planets traverse various levels by clicking your mouse button to the beat. Where it gets complicated is the fact that you must strictly hit each beat based on the rhythm, and the visuals won’t always be on your side.
If you want a deceptively difficult challenge with beats worth nodding your head to, you can take on the dance. The Steam version is worth getting because it gives you access to tons of great Workshop content.
Best Bullet Hell Rhythm Game - Just Shapes & Beats
As if a bullet hell wasn’t punishing and wild enough, Just Shapes & Beats throws in a rhythm element to spice things up. You can play solo or try co-op and PvP modes, but it’s always a dash trying to get to the end of the progressively wilder levels.
Every “enemy” moves to the beat, and so should you. It’s simple enough to get into but a real challenge to master. Thankfully, the awesome soundtrack makes it worth diving back into no matter how many times you die.
Most Adorable Rhythm Game - Muse Dash
Muse Dash tends to jump from cutesy visuals to sexual ones with disjointed voracity, but this doesn’t necessarily detract from how fun the gameplay is. Sheets and enemies approachn you and basically take the place of notes that you have to hit at the right time.
As with any rhythm game, you’ll want to listen to the songs to guide you, but there is also a general area where you want to hit each note. Each level is an onslaught of sugar and spice that's worth trying at least once.
Most Customizable Rhythm Game - Audiosurf 2
Although others have tried to take its place, few games offer the “ride your own music” style like Audiosurf 2. What puts it above its predecessor is the fact that you can connect online, so you’re not limited to using audio files if you’d rather stream the songs of your choice. The most recent version does require a community patch to restore the online music functionality, but it's a pretty seamless and easy installation. It uses YouTube because Spotify has lots of licensing issues that would be hard to wade through.
Every track is procedurally generated based on the song you pick, and you can surf through any song you choose. It’s a listening experience you can’t miss, especially if you have songs that go hard with their BPM. Try Ninja mode to make things even more intense.
Rhythm Games For FPS Stans - BPM: Bullets Per Minute
If you’ve ever listened to music to hype you up for your FPS session, then you’ll definitely enjoy BPM: Bullets Per Minute. You need to time all of your shots, dodges, and jumps to the beat as enemies spawn all around you.
Timing is everything as you increase your power with various loot and go through fast-paced dungeons, all to the sweeping sounds of a rock opera. BPM is a romp for anyone that likes rhythm and diving into great FPS adventures.
Best Arcade Port Rhythm Game - Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix+
It’s Hatsune Miku’s world and we’re all just chilling in it. Although this game is, naturally, primarily dedicated to fans of the virtual pop star, it’s a solid rhythm game in its own right that anyone can enjoy. You don’t need to be a stan to enjoy the huge library of tracks.
The great thing about the Steam version is that you can play in either Mega Mix or Future Tone style. It just adds to the already fun customization aspect of the game.
Best One-Button Rhythm Game - Rhythm Doctor
Despite being a one-button rhythm game, Rhythm Doctor manages to be fun, wild, and engaging all throughout. Its pixel graphics are a treat to see, and the story is really enjoyable.
When it comes to games where you are basically a doctor, this one stands out as you save patients with the power of rhythm. Even if you finish the story levels, you can check out community-made levels that keep things fresh.
Most Physical Rhythm Game - Beat Saber
Beat Saber is arguably the most popular VR rhythm experience, and it’s easy to see why once you get into the game. It’s an adrenaline-pumping, heart-racing time that can give your arms a decent workout to boot.
This rhythm game has each beat flying toward you at full force, and it’s your job to slice through them to finish the level. The wildest levels will make your arms sore, but it’s so worth it.