Musical games can sometimes be difficult to tune but we’re hoping for a swede serenade with our review of Rhythm Sprout.
Aiming for a hardcore market full of DDR veterans who can outmaneuver even the best Starcraft 2 clickers can limit the appeal of the musically inclined gaming, but simple button bashers can also be full of empty calories. Thankfully the likes of Crypt of the Necrodancer, Hi-Fi Rush, Wandersong, and Soundfall are just a few of the ways that musical adventures have managed to move on from the traditional button basher. These stellar adventures make standing out above the crowd difficult, but Rhythm Sprout is worth rummaging around for. Players can pick up this colorful new medley of RPG ideas and musical dungeon crawling right now on PC for a grand total of £12.79 / $14.99 or local equivalent. It’s only been cutting a swathe through your vegetable freezer since launch on 1 February 2023, but I think it’s safe to say that this is going to be part of my five a day for a while yet.
The tale of the chosen onion is a familiar, yet fruity time. A singular knight is thrown to the oncoming hordes, tasked with saving a princess and cutting through swathes of fearsome sugar-coated opponents. The idea seems reassuringly familiar, except the classic RPG narrative throws all pretense out the window at the first chance it gets. An intense palette and oversized character aesthetic sets the overall comedic key for this musical quest. Looking like a mix between the cell shading of Bit Loom’s Tray Racers and Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom the opening moments of Rhythm Sprout is a juiced-up collection of flippant florets and comedic carrots. This jaunty new world is unyielding in its oddity. Opening on a tracksuit wearing onion, you’ll turnip in front of a pair of broccoli guards in a regal throne room. Tinybuild’s latest game can’t even try to take itself seriously. Summoned by a vegetable king and given a pithy dressing down, you’re quickly off out into the yonder world with a sword, shield, and a toe tapping adventure afoot.
What unfolds is a series of simple button bashing scenarios that are as amusing as they are odd. Stumbling into a camp count’s lair or onto the mushroom gang’s turf is all an amusing introduction to the two-step that is the core of these levels. When Rhythm Sprout needs to navigate between points in this admittedly linear narrative, you’ll find a range of k-pop, electro, rock, and other genres all waiting. These are largely original works that are inspired by popular styles. While it’s nice to have an arrangement of bespoke tracks, don’t expect any chart-topping tunes either. There is, however, plenty of variety in these original and entirely entertaining tunes which have perfectly matched in game mechanics.
Whether cutting through a frosty valley or taking on some measly minions, rhythmic warriors will need to master one simple idea. Bash the button when it reaches Rhythm Sprout. Like most musical games, timing is the key here. Controls are largely split across three distinct areas of a keyboard or controller and easily identifiable as blue, red, or yellow movements. This easy one two three, allows anybody venturing out into this cartoonish caper to worry more about what’s on screen than in their hand. A very obvious three button system of moves does get a little more diverse, adding bonus rounds, holds, traps, and other challenges on screen. There’s still more to this accessible set of systems, with a health bar, a power up for perfect moves, and other bonuses to reward good play. Despite these on screen extras, core complexity largely comes through speed and track tabs rather than anything complex enough to best a beat ‘em up combo.
While the core gameplay loop of Rhythm Sprout isn’t decidedly complex, the delivery is excellent. Among the cartoon capers, talking vegetables, and nefarious candy-colored enemies, are plenty of ridiculous one liners to keep things light. A solid array of musical interludes of varying complexity land well and the RPG theme introduces a ridiculous number of themes, from a fruity island in the sun to a camp count in a haunted house. Even among this rich array of ideas, varying degrees of complexity land. Rhythm Sprout doesn’t just dance through a series of the same old minions. Aggressive gingerbread biscuits and killer cupcakes are nestled in between boss battles that don’t just look different. They manage to integrate their own musical chorus and distinct mechanics that even ape the cycles of big budget boss raids. This level of detail adds a surprising level of complexity to a simple idea. If the core campaign to rescue the princess ends up getting being too easy then there are even more ways to extend your playtime. A bonus origin story, replay levels, and in game cosmetic rewards for nailing those scores continues to spice things up no end.
Rhythm Sprout doesn’t break much new ground. It plants its roots squarely in the realms of traditional music making button bashers but draws light inspiration from other genres and serves up a tasty snack that sandwiches goofery, D&D, dungeon crawling RPGs, and musical mayhem into a single serving. If you have played your share of old school D&D and want a light hearted escape with a razor-sharp wit then take a look at Rhythm Sprout, available now on PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and PlayStation.
