Headbangers: Rhythm Royale review (PS5)

Headbangers: Rhythm Royale, developed by Glee-Cheese Studio and published by Team17, takes the concept of a battle royale and infuses it with the musical energy of rhythm games. In this avian-centric extravaganza, you and 29 other pigeons compete in a series of rhythmic challenges to determine who is the ultimate “Master Headbanger”. The game supports cross-platform play, and we tested out the PlayStation version.

The premise for the game is simple yet quirky and striking – imagine 30 pigeons engaged in musical minigames, each round eliminating the less rhythmically inclined until one of them stands as the champion. The variety of challenges keeps the experience fresh, from mimicking a fitness instructor’s neck stretches to judging the open mouths of opera singers. And while some minigames might feel repetitive or too similar to one another, the overall diversity provides an entertaining experience.

The game features 23 different minigames and plays out across four rounds, each minigame testing your memory, rhythm and/or reflexes. Simple controls make the game very accessible to play, ensuring that the musical party is open to both casual and seasoned players and even the less rhythmically-inclined. The integration of power-ups and Crumbs as in-game currency adds an extra layer of personalization, allowing players to customize their pigeons with outfits, hats, glasses, voices, and more. The developers also play around with the bird theme in fun ways, for instance by introducing players to the likes of Michelangelcrow.

Progression in Headbangers: Rhythm Royale is tied to completing challenges, unlocking pigeon customizations, and progressing through the battle pass. The cross-play and multiplayer feature allows up to 30 pigeons to battle it out on any platform, which should hopefully keep the player count at a good level for quite some time.

In terms of visuals, the game boasts a charming aesthetic, and the goofy, floppy pigeons add to the overall lighthearted atmosphere. The customization options provide a wide range of choices in that sense as well, though the visuals aren’t pushing any boundaries on your PS5. The audio complements the gameplay, with the rhythm-centric challenges enhanced by the musical elements while the inclusion of quirky pigeon sounds and silly phrases adds to the overall charm.

In conclusion, Headbangers: Rhythm Royale is a fun multiplayer game that successfully blends the battle royale genre with rhythm game mechanics. While it may face the challenge of potential repetition, its charm, customization options, and accessible rhythm elements make it a worthy addition to the party game genre. The future success of the game may depend on continued support through content updates and a lively player count, but for now, it’s a delightful and entertaining experience for players of all skill levels.

Score: 7.5/10