After an initial launch back in 2024 for PSVR 2, Parallel Circles’ Beat the Beats has finally arrived for Meta Quest headsets. But with the rhythm action genre increasingly packed with good games, can this make a mark? As it turns out, our friends over at 131XR seem to think so in their Beat the Beats review.
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Going with the Beat
Just like a number of other rhythm action titles, Beat the Beats utilises boxing for its core gaming mechanics. Players can jab, hook and uppercut their way through a variety of songs, working up a sweat in the process.
It’s all fairly standard stuff, with an Arcade mode, Challenge mode, leaderboards and more. But those two years on PSVR 2 have certainly helped the Quest launch as 131XR finds a solidly put-together experience that’s worthy of a recommendation.
Beat the Beats Review
As mentioned, this is part rhythm and part fitness, where you smash and dodge blocks to gain as high a score as possible. 131XR says in its review of Beat the Beats, that the main arcade mode is what you’d expect, offering a small selection of songs to begin with. More can then be unlocked by general progression as well as completing specific challenges.
What makes Beat the Beats stand out is how well-connected and timed the gameplay feels. There’s no uncertainty about whether you’ve hit a block or missed one, as some games in this genre tend to.
131XR does heap praise on Beat the Beats, however, there is still some criticism. The available song selection isn’t as extensive as that of other games, so you likely won’t find any of your favourite songs available. The review also noted that the scoring system was a bit strange, gaining a ‘C’ ranking after perfecting a song, as well as on a song they flubbed.
Watch the full review below to learn more.
A Bustling Rhythm Genre
While the rhythm-action genre isn’t as popular as it once was – that’s been overtaken by free social games like Animal Company – most VR players are likely to have played one in some form.
For the last six or so years, Beat Saber has been the dominant rhythm game, drawing catalogues from huge artists like Green Day and Billy Eilish. There are many more in this space depending on what you’re looking for. On the fitness side, you’ve got the likes of Synth Riders, Supernatural, FitXR and Les Mills Bodycombat. On the more unusual side, there’s Pistol Whip, Audio Trip, Metal: Hellsinger VR and Beatable, to name a few.
While crowded, that doesn’t mean to say Beat the Beats can’t find its corner of the market.
