Just Shapes & Beats

 Switch
Just Shapes & Beats Image
Metascore
83

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 70 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: A game about shapes, and about beats.

    "Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoid Shapes, move to the rad Beats, and die, repeatedly. It's a new spin on SHMUPs, adding a layer of coop that's at the core of the game: 'cause everything is    A game about shapes, and about beats.

    "Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoid Shapes, move to the rad Beats, and die, repeatedly. It's a new spin on SHMUPs, adding a layer of coop that's at the core of the game: 'cause everything is better with friends.

    Play alone or with up to four players, local or online, through the game's Story Mode or Challenge Runs.

    MUSIC TO YOUR EARS, AND HANDS

    You like music? SO. DO. WE. That's why we have 35 hand crafted stages with licensed tracks from over 20 chiptune and EDM artists.

    Hits like a ton of brick straight into your eardrums and your eyeballs; BAM

    EVERYTHING IS BETTER WITH FRIENDS

    Gather up your squad and play up to 4 player co-op, drop-in drop-out, either all on your couch for a house party, or an online party!

    Don't have/like your friends? WE GOTCHU MY DUDES, make new or BETTER friends by playing a few quick online challenge runs. Let us pick your new best buds for the next hours; strangers are just friends you haven't met yet.

    Kind of a lone wolf, back hurts from carrying people, would rather play with yourself? Do it, the game is just as fun, just a different experience waiting for you; ain't nobody judging here yo.

    SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

    We have many different game experiences to offer! Story mode helps you learn the ropes with our intermediate-ish tracks and the optional Casual mode. When you think you're ready, Challenge Runs is where you get to prove yourself: get judged on your skills by playing through randomly picked tracks.

    Need some kind of training montage to get better? Rip off your sleeves and practice the tracks you're struggling to master in the Playlist.

    PARTYYYYY

    Literally the soundtrack for your party! Let the game play in Party Mode and let it light up your social gatherings, + you can even still have people playing this if they like, WE'VE THOUGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING.

    So yea, go ahead and throw the most epic party of your life thanks to us, you are welcome.    … Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. God is a Geek
    Jul 18, 2018
    95
    Everything I’ve wanted in a new music game. When Sound Shapes hit the Vita a long time ago, it instantly became my favourite music game and I’m glad to add a new entry to my favourite music games of all time list with Berzerk Studio’s Just Shapes & Beats. It is frustrating in some areas with the skill required but every second I’ve put into it has been more than worth it.
  2. Nintendo Insider
    Jun 18, 2018
    90
    Just Shapes and Beats is gaming filtered into its purest form. While E3 may have treated us to immense cinematics, bigger worlds and even bigger promises, it’s great to be reminded that not every video game needs to be this. Sometimes it’s enough to just be able to sit down, pick up a controller and play. Just Shapes and Beats may be a simple concept but it’s one that combines its soundtrack and visuals to craft a truly addictive and memorable experience.
  3. GameSpace
    Jun 5, 2018
    90
    Just Shapes & Beats allows some simple ideas to blossom into an inventive, engaging challenge that proves a tiny cluster of well-proportioned pixels can contain more personality than the mightiest action hero.
  4. CGMagazine
    Jul 4, 2018
    90
    Just Shapes & Beats’ excellent soundtrack spawns intricate levels in a stylish aesthetic that is sure to challenge even the most dedicated players.
  5. Nintendo Enthusiast
    Jun 11, 2018
    85
    The game is perfect for the Switch due to its short songs and addicting gameplay. Just Shapes & Beats can be played on the go in short bursts or for long periods of time. Fans of the music genre will find a lot to love, and those who like fast action will be glued to the screen for hours. Switch owners looking for an entertaining indie game should pick up Just Shapes & Beats. Not only is it a fantastic game on the console, it’s one of the best indie games of the year.
  6. Cubed3
    Jun 29, 2018
    80
    Just Shapes & Beats is an inventive, creative, and memorable experience. It takes a simple concept and does so much with it, causing each level to feel wholly special, even if the lag issue can sometimes dampen the moment. The story mode is a joy to play, and the online mode offers hours of entertainment, as well.
  7. Universo Nintendo
    Jun 19, 2018
    70
    Just Shapes & Beats is a game for those who enjoy music, mainly electronic music, in which the central objective is to escape from its shapes and beats. So if you are looking for a game with a cool story maybe this game is not for you. The coolest of Just Shapes & Beats are the musical qualities and their Party mode, that can be played freely while people enjoy the party. Just Shapes & Beats is a good buy to have on your Nintendo Switch and will brighten up your parties.

See all 17 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. bassman2112
    Aug 1, 2018
    10
    A wonderful game with a spectacular soundtrack, cohesive & unique art style, and extremely satisfying gameplay. It can be really difficult,A wonderful game with a spectacular soundtrack, cohesive & unique art style, and extremely satisfying gameplay. It can be really difficult, but it is also completely fair. Its story mode is really endearing, and I have few complaints other than I wish the story mode was longer, and that perhaps you could take a few more hits naturally (without turning on casual mode). Basically my complaint is "it is too awesome, make more plz." Definitely one of the best of 2018.… Expand
  2. nintendosfan
    May 12, 2020
    10
    Un gioco magistralmente perfetto, spero lo tengano sempre aggiornato ed escano dei dlc.
  4. eIipe
    Jan 9, 2023
    10
    The setlist is very good. Lots of great artists: a mix of chiptunes, dubstep and different electronic genres make this game very appealing inThe setlist is very good. Lots of great artists: a mix of chiptunes, dubstep and different electronic genres make this game very appealing in the musical sense. The gameplay is challenging: similar to Super Hexagon. It's a lot of try and repeat, but as addictive as it is, you go through the game without getting bored. One of the best rhythm games available on the Nintendo Switch.… Expand
  5. bbcbreno
    Jun 20, 2018
    9
    [TL; DR]
    Game had a simple idea and wonderful execution, unique stages, fluid gameplay and neither so punitive. The main campaign I believe    [TL; DR]
    Game had a simple idea and wonderful execution, unique stages, fluid gameplay and neither so punitive. The main campaign I believe lasts about 3h with a great replay factor. Note: 9.0.

    [History]
    The story mode is something fantastic, the game can show us an adventure of our protagonist Square and his friends only with shapes and beats, there is only one word pronouncement throughout the whole plot and it's this one: @%&*! . That is, for lack of dialogues, the game got heavy on the animations and sounds and the result is a show apart.

    The mode works similar to the Super Mario World map, but there are lots of interactions and little minigames, nothing difficult or challenging, but it's fun to walk between stages.

    [Graphics]
    The graphics are simple, there is no extraordinary effect. But they knew how to make nice shapes and colors with effects and animations at the point, leaving everything very harmonious, nothing out of the ordinary, the union of all these things makes the graphics very interesting.

    [Sounds]
    There's nothing to talk about. Simply amazing, the songs are cool and lively beats, they are not cloying and the tracks are unique. It would make it easy for the CD to sell in the stores (if we had in the 80s / 90s years).

    [Gameplay]
    The proposal is quite simple: we are a baby blue square and our goal is to dodge everything that is pink, the motto is: "Pink is bad." We can walk in all directions and give a dash, at the time dash we are immune. There is no shot, combo, special or anything else to get our attention of what matters: the shapes and the beats.

    The pink shapes sprout on the screen in sync with the music, but although the game is rhythmic, we do not have to follow the beats, our freedom here is very big (or not, because there is time that has so much rose that can not go to many places).

    [Stages]
    They spent no effort on building level design, the game could be boring and boring if it were not for the unique stages we encountered throughout the game. Seriously, each stage is a unique experience, we get a taste of want more and not with that feeling of "ahhhh I'm tired of doing this, it's so boring!". The stages are abstract, but you can see the reference with several other games, Metal Gear Solid (PS1), Rive Raid and Mario. Still has the theme of 007 and Mortal Kombat.

    [Difficulty]
    In fact the game is very challenging, but I did not get to spend much punitive because of the short stages. If we die (touch 3x in pink), we return to the last checkpoint (which has all the time), the problem that if you die 3x gives game over and has to start all over again, this for me was a negative point of the game . There are a lot of people cursing on twitter because of the difficulty of the game. There is the casual mode that makes it easier. The bosses do not have checkpoint and some are difficult, but nothing like trying 2 or 3 times and decorating their movements, as the stages are short, don't gets so punitive.

    [Multiplayer]
    It can play the campaign with more people (which should facilitate a lot) and has the Challenge mode where we can play alone, local multiplayer or the internet. I tried the mode and it started ok, but after a while it started to bug (it seemed that the stage was out of sync because I took damage without touching anything and the other players went through the pink without taking damage). I have not played much this way to know if it was because I was playing with Japanese or if you will be recurring.

    [Replay Factor]
    We have access to all the songs and we can play any one again, there is a list with the performance note of each stage. Here we can play and play and play the stage until you get a bright and colorful S. Also unlock some cool little things after completing the game.    … Expand
  6. RayRay26
    Jun 28, 2018
    9
    A solid musical game. There's lots to do even when there's only 34 songs. However, being musically inclined, I have noticed the numerousA solid musical game. There's lots to do even when there's only 34 songs. However, being musically inclined, I have noticed the numerous imperfect timings in the attacks and obstacles, which make me mistime my very short dash. Also there's a bunch of multiplayer desync problems like a song ending early or starting midway. Other than those minor problems, I have yet to stop listening to the soundtrack since day one! I loved the minimalist story too.… Expand
  7. SA-Xophone
    Apr 25, 2020
    9
    A near perfect bullet hell with very minor flaws, a few frustrating levels, unlocking extras is somewhat tedious, but the former of theseA near perfect bullet hell with very minor flaws, a few frustrating levels, unlocking extras is somewhat tedious, but the former of these flaws is mitigated by an optional “casual mode” accessible at any time, doubling health. All in all a must buy, especially for those looking for a co-op game or dubstep fans.… Expand
  8. Nintendist
    Jun 29, 2022
    0
    the gameplay is not the strong part of this game and it is what i wanted the most

See all 26 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best Switch Game of 2018
66
#66 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018

Current Switch Games

Full List »
95 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
94 Metroid Prime Remastered
92 Xenoblade Chronicles 3: Expansion Pass Wave 4 - Future Redeemed
90 Chained Echoes
90 Persona 4 Golden
87 Melatonin
87 Theatrhythm Final Bar Line
86 Rakuen: Deluxe Edition
86 The Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure
86 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass - Wave 4
85 Octopath Traveler II
85 A Space For The Unbound
85 Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo
84 Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster: FF35th Anniversary Edition
84 DREDGE
84 DRAINUS
84 Lil Gator Game
84 PowerWash Simulator
83 Labyrinth of Galleria: The Moon Society
83 Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: Booster Course Pass - Wave 3
All Current Games »