KickBeat

 PlayStation 3
KickBeat Image
Metascore
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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

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  • Summary: KickBeat offers players several innovative ways to interact with music. The game combines beat-matching mechanics with an acrobatic style of martial arts, turning every song into a raucous battle. The game also features a music analyzer that allows players to create new tracks from their ownKickBeat offers players several innovative ways to interact with music. The game combines beat-matching mechanics with an acrobatic style of martial arts, turning every song into a raucous battle. The game also features a music analyzer that allows players to create new tracks from their own music libraries.… Expand

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Kickbeat Announcement Trailer

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 2
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 2
  3. Negative: 0 out of 2
  1. PlayStation LifeStyle
    Sep 5, 2013
    75
    It isn’t the most technical or complex music game you are bound to run into, nor is it the easiest to get into at first. Once it gets going, though, you´ll find it hard to resist the urge of kicking fools in the face.
  2. TheSixthAxis
    Sep 9, 2013
    70
    Zen Studios have to be given some respect in taking a stale genre and breathing new life into it. KickBeat is a good game and it does provide good entertainment, however the game is crying out for more songs in the Story mode as imported songs don’t feel as well synced as the in game music.

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Michael78
    Sep 8, 2013
    10
    (Copied and pasted from my review of the Vita version the versions are identical aside from a few graphical differences and a throwaway local(Copied and pasted from my review of the Vita version the versions are identical aside from a few graphical differences and a throwaway local multiplayer mode for PS3)

    Let's get this out of the way: Kickbeat is a classic beat-matching rhythm game. If you don't like those, you probably won't like this one, either. It will kick your butt until you get used to the controls and the novel way that the rhythm cues appear. And like other beat-matching games, it becomes a "Zen" (haha) experience once you've developed enough skill to play at high difficulty levels and feel like a total badass.

    The things that KickBeat does differently is that instead of a note highway or other stuff slapped on top of the action in the background, the fighting action IS the note highway. Each enemy comes from one of 4 directions, and you press the button for that direction when the enemy is close enough. In the easiest difficulty level, there are icons on the ground that light up when the enemy can be hit. This helps you get used to the positioning and the controls. But at higher difficulty levels, they are gone, so don't get too used to them. (Note: the icons show the X/Square/O/Triangle buttons, but you can also use the d-pad with your left hand too, which helps when there's lots of enemies.) There's also a double-tap control to collect powerups and chained enemies where you hold the button down for the first one and let go for the second.

    Even though the controls seem pretty simple, like other rhythm games, it's about how they're matched to the music that makes it interesting. Punching guys to the beat feels really good and it's surprising that this is the first game to do it (that I know of). When the difficulty ramps up and your guy is flying around destroying mobs of enemies while the heavy, aggressive soundtrack blasts out at you, it gets your blood pumping and your fingers flying. It's like playing out a fight scene from a movie.

    The other cool part of the game is the Beat Your Music mode where you can use your own music in the game. I've tried a few songs and some worked really well, but some older ones where the beat wasn't steady got off track and weren't as fun. Electronic music and rap generally works best since it's easier to tap out the beat and it doesn't usually change beat since it's done with computers and drum machines. The tracks that it makes aren't quite as good as the ones in the game that were done by hand but it's still awesome to have an unlimited supply of songs in the game. This is the first game that I know of since Dance Factory to let you use your own music in a beat-matching game (Audiosurf isn't beat matching, though it is still cool) and I have to give them props for how well they made it work, even with its limitations.

    Overall you can tell that they wanted to do something new with the rhythm genre and give the game lots of replay value, and they succeeded. There are a few flaws like some of the note charts I think are off in places, and having to unlock everything, but all in all it's a very satisfying game if you are willing to put the time and effort in to get past the initial learning curve. I would give the game an 8.5 or 9 normally but because of the innovative approach and the fact that they tried something original in a genre I love, I'm giving them some bonus points.    … Expand
  2. TheQuietGamer
    Nov 28, 2015
    9
    KickBeat does get off to an awkward start. However once the mechanics click it's hard to put down this addicting rhythm game. Both the actionKickBeat does get off to an awkward start. However once the mechanics click it's hard to put down this addicting rhythm game. Both the action and soundtrack are awesome. Multiple difficulty levels and other modes are sure to keep people coming back.

    It's an interesting combination of brawler and rhythm mechanics that ultimately doesn't deviate too much from what most expect from the genre. You are still pressing buttons to follow the onscreen prompts to stay in tune with the beat, but the flashy action keep things more involving than they otherwise would be. With each color of enemy representing a different patter type (red enemies attack in pairs and blue quickly follow one another) there is a little bit more going on to keep gamers more directly involved in the action. The difficulty also helps with this. It offers a satisfying challenge that's fun to master on higher difficulties.

    The tracks themselves are a particular highlight. Most rhythm games are more pop-oriented. KickBeat however features electronic rock, rap rock, and even a little metal. Artists like Pendulum, Blue Stahli, and Celldweller accentuate the action well. I just wish there were more tracks included.

    The game has two story modes with different characters. The second campaign just serves as a way to finish up the story. However the only new content outside of a second character are the new cutscenes. You play through the same levels with the same tracks. Playing through the same levels isn't so bad, but I was disappointed to find out that the second campaign didn't add more tracks.

    The story itself isn't the deepest thing out there, but it's got enough humor and charm to make me actually want to playthrough it all again to see how things played out. Even if they gameplay and music were exactly the same as the first time around.

    While it hasn't got the largest collection of songs, what's here is still enjoyable enough to keep you going through the multiple modes and difficulty setting. With the story being so brief it's not hard to think that the game is light on content. However you are getting quite a bit for $9.99 should you attempt to truly master it.

    Rhythm gaming has rarely been more exciting or action-packed. Kicking butt to some energetic tunes is a blast. Even if it's a little bit light on content this a great pickup on PS3 & Vita, even if there isn't any cross-save. It's fresh, exciting, and most importantly fun. Truly one of the most addicting rhythm games I've played and it has a great theme to boot.    … Expand
  4. mikeburnfire
    Sep 8, 2013
    9
    This was a surprisingly good game! The controls are simple and the music is enjoyable. There's only a handful of songs, but there's actually aThis was a surprisingly good game! The controls are simple and the music is enjoyable. There's only a handful of songs, but there's actually a decent number venues. The story mode is great and even adds new cut-scenes on your second playthrough. Nothing compares to the level where you combat a helicopter to the beat of Rob Zombie's Scum of the Earth. You can even play couch co-op in Free Play mode. The only complaints I have against the game is that the harder difficulties are frankly impossible, so you won't be able to unlock new characters or costumes and most trophies are literally unobtainable. Furthermore, the Custom Track import feature is a mess-- nothing syncs up correctly, and playing imported songs is just unsatisfying.

    Otherwise, it was a great purchase for $10. I would gladly pay for a sequel or DLC for this game to play more songs.    … Expand
  5. mongoman
    Oct 1, 2013
    6
    Kickbeat is definitely a unique game, the graphics are good, the controls are good, and overall its a fine game. My beef is the extremelyKickbeat is definitely a unique game, the graphics are good, the controls are good, and overall its a fine game. My beef is the extremely unforgiving difficulty. The game requires a ton of practice before you can even complete the first song. The tutorial is in-depth but it just doesn't prepare you for the brutal butt kicking you get when you try the story mode the first time. Its extremely aggravating. I love Zen Studio, they created awesome pinball games, and mini golf games but they ramped up the difficulty a bit too much for beginners in Kickbeat. I give it a 6 because of difficulty, but if your willing to put in the practice and you have a ton of patience, then you'll find much to like in Kickbeat.… Expand

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