The folks at Humble Bundle have just unleashed their latest weekly sale: a series of indie rhythm games featuring award-winning hits. This is a huge cross-genre package, reaching from the platforming and running of Bit.Trip Runner to the shmup-style Beat Hazard and time-bending Retro/Grade. As always, the bundle follows the name-your-price model, and as long as your amount hits over $1, you’ll get steam keys for the entire lower tier, which includes Symphony, Sequence and Bit.Trip Runner. A $6 or higher price tag will earn you access to Audiosurf, Beat Hazard Ultra, and Retro/Grade. Symphony, Bit.Trip Runner, Beat Hazard, and Retro/Grade all come packaged with OSTs to round out this Humble Bundle deal.
Audiosurf, arguably the most well-known of the lot, brought the PC rhythm-gaming genre into the spotlight. In a trend we’ll see repeated frequently, the game allows you full access to your own personal music library to build each round; higher BPMs and more complexity mean harder, faster paced levels while calmer songs will result in a more relaxed style. Your surfing plays out on a “highway” on which your choice of vehicle attempts to pick up a series of colored gems, somewhere along the lines of driving down a Guitar Hero board. A selection of 14 highly different characters, plus free reign over your own music, means Audiosurf’s variety is nearly infinite. Whether you currently top global leaderboards or are just picking up the title for the first time, be sure to check out running-based Audiosurf 2, now on Steam Early Access.
Symphony fuses the visual style of Geometry Wars and adds in a heavy helping of forward-facing shmup action. It too uses an Audisurf-style system, building stages based entirely on the contents of your music library. Empty Clip Studios has won awards for the advances they made in music analysis, so expect some highly dynamic levels based on what tracks you feed it.
Sequence takes some notes from Puzzle Quest, adding in a layer of RPG elements to the rhythm genre. A DDR-esque sheet of arrows rains down to the beat while you fight off enemies, level up, and generally do what you would expect from an RPG. Deep customization and an interesting story make this game a no-brainer.
Bit.Trip Runner, the second title in Gaijin Games’ venerable Bit.Trip series, has earned a great deal of attention for its bright, retro-inspired visual style as well as its phenomenal soundtrack, which features appearance from Anamanaguchi. Runner errs on the difficult side, demanding perfection with every jump, slide, flying kick, or trampoline that the levels throw at players – and a single misstep sends protagonist Commander Video back to the start of the stage. Quick respawns and engaging gameplay ensure that frequent deaths never get frustrating. If you enjoyed this, check out the (also critically acclaimed) sequel, Bit.Trip Runner 2.
Beat Hazard Ultra also uses Audiosurf-style algorithms to build shmup levels, but with a higher focus on boss rushes and multi-directional play. Fast-paced and endlessly addictive, there’s probably enough mileage in this title alone to warrant the $6 entry fee.
Retro/Grade literally turns the genre on its head by implementing reversed time as a core mechanic. The game plays like a classic music game but in the skin of a backwards shmup: as Rick Rocket, you suck up laser shots and avoid enemy projectiles in a series of lanes. 24 Carat Games’ original soundtrack has received a great deal of praise; its inclusion in the package makes this one an easy buy.