Crypt of the NecroDancer
PC & Console · Rhythm Roguelike
A dungeon crawler you play with your feet - every step has to land on the beat.
Bottom line
Crypt of the NecroDancer scores 8.5/10. A dungeon crawler you play with your feet - every step has to land on the beat. Best on PC with headphones and a controller; Players who like roguelikes with a pulse Expect about 15-40 hours of play.
Our take
Crypt of the NecroDancer is a roguelike that refuses to let you stand still. The whole screen pulses to Danny Baranowsky's score, and your moves only count when they hit the rhythm - step off-beat and you miss, take damage, or waste the turn you needed. It sounds punishing; in practice it turns grid combat into a dance.
Beneath the gimmick is a genuinely deep roguelike: permadeath runs, a sprawling dungeon, 15 characters with their own rules, and a steady drip of permanent upgrades bought with the diamonds you scrape together. Bring your own MP3s and it becomes a playlist simulator; bring a dance pad and it becomes exercise. Few games make failure feel this musical. Reviewers agreed (IGN 8.8/10, PC Gamer 87/100, Game Informer 8/10), even if the strict beat gate is not for everyone.
Good to know
Who it's for
Players who like roguelikes with a pulse
Length
15-40 hours
Best on
PC with headphones and a controller
Pros & cons
Pros
- Rhythm twist makes combat fresh
- Huge character variety
- Bring-your-own-music mode
Cons
- Demands a sense of beat
- Later zones get brutally fast
- Soundtrack fatigue on long runs
Where to get it
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