You spin my head right round, right round, just like those iconic beats that get your adrenaline pumping the moment you hit play. When you go down, when you go down, down—it’s not just a catchy lyric, it’s the rhythm that pulls you in, hooks you, and refuses to let go. That’s exactly how I felt diving into this latest offering from Super Spin Digital, where they’ve spun the music rhythm game genre into something fresh, exhilarating, and uniquely their own.
Hello, gaming enthusiasts! I’m Lewis! Welcome to the XPN Network! Here with another review, where today we’re not just talking about your typical VR experience. No, this time, we're diving into a game that masterfully bridges the gap between immersive virtual reality and the traditional controller-based experience. Imagine the fusion of the best elements of Guitar Hero, the spectacle of Fortnite Festival, and the kinetic energy of Beat Saber, all rolled into one—but with a twist that makes you feel like you’re at the heart of a pulsing, electrifying DJ set.
Super Spin Digital has taken the essence of what makes music rhythm games so addictive—the sync between your actions and the beats—and amplified it with their latest release. Whether you're spinning away in VR or twisting into the groove with a controller, this game doesn’t just challenge your reflexes; it pulls you into a world where you become one with the music. The visuals are dazzling, the tracks are infectious, and the gameplay is an adrenaline rush from start to finish.
So, let’s spin those tracks like a pro DJ, match the beats, and feel the energy surge as we dive headfirst into a game that’s all about rhythm, precision, and pure, unfiltered fun. Strap in, because let’s get this party started right now!
Background of Spin Rhythm XD
Now an interesting aspect of this game’s journey is its roots in Steam Early Access, where it first launched back in 2019. This period was crucial in shaping the game into what it is today. Early Access allowed the developers to gather feedback from players, experiment with various mechanics, and refine the core gameplay loop. Players got a sneak peek at the innovative digital wheel and the intense VR integration, experiencing first-hand how the game evolved over time.
Throughout the Early Access phase, Super Spin Digital actively engaged with the community, implementing changes based on player input and gradually adding new features. This collaborative process helped iron out technical issues, balance the difficulty, and introduce new content, ensuring the final release was polished and packed with content.
The journey through Early Access allowed the game to mature, growing from a promising concept into a fully realised, exhilarating rhythm experience that both VR and controller players can enjoy.
Gameplay
In most games within the rhythm genre, the focus tends to be more on the fun, energetic workout than on delivering a deep narrative experience. If you're looking for a story-driven game, you might be disappointed—this title doesn’t venture into those territories like Guitar Hero or Lego Rock Band. Instead, it zeroes in on gameplay, offering a dynamic, skill-based challenge that’s all about precision and timing.
The core mechanic revolves around a digital wheel, which is central to how you control the game. This wheel features two different colours that can be customised to your liking, allowing for a bit of personalisation. Your task is to spin the wheel to match the colours with on-screen prompts, and while it might sound straightforward, the difficulty ramps up quickly.
One particularly interesting mechanic involves swiping from right to left or vice versa, mimicking the scratching technique used by DJs to create percussive and rhythmic sounds. This adds an extra layer of immersion, making you feel like you’re really mixing tracks in a high-energy DJ set, rather than just playing a rhythm game.
I played this on the PSVR2 version, so I’ll dive into my experience with that in mind. Honestly, I found the VR mode to be the standout way to play. It felt significantly more immersive and engaging compared to using a traditional controller. The sense of presence and the way the game pulls you into its rhythm makes the experience in VR much better overall.
The Music of Spin Rhythm XD
As for the music, the tracks are all EDM (Electronic Dance Music), which perfectly complements the fast-paced, high-energy gameplay. The pulsating beats and vibrant visuals sync up beautifully, creating a rhythmic experience that’s hard to match outside of VR.
Playing in the VR mode made me feel like I was right in the middle of a live EDM festival, with the beats and visuals surrounding me, making every move feel more impactful.
As you progress through the game, you’ll unlock keys that can be used to access more songs. And when I say there are a lot of songs, I’m not kidding—there’s an impressive selection to keep you entertained for hours.
The soundtrack features a diverse line-up of artists, including F.O.O.L., Aimee Francis, Maxo, Haywyre, and many more. Each track brings its own unique flavour to the mix, ensuring that there’s always something fresh and exciting to play. Whether you’re into intense beats or melodic rhythms, the wide variety of songs adds a ton of replay value, keeping the experience dynamic and engaging.
Performance and Challenges
In addition to the core gameplay, the game offers several features that enhance the overall experience. You can easily check your performance progress, giving you detailed insights into how well you’re doing across different tracks. There’s also a section for trophy information, perfect for those who love to chase achievements and fully complete their games.
For the competitive players, the game tracks your lifetime stats, allowing you to see how you’ve improved over time. Leaderboards add another layer of competition, where you can compare your scores with other players worldwide and see how you rank.
Lastly, a handy track filter lets you sort through the extensive song list, making it easier to find exactly what you’re in the mood for, whether you want to revisit a favourite track or challenge yourself with something new. These features make the game not just about playing, but about constantly striving to improve and connect with the broader community.
Other Modes
One aspect that feels a bit lacking in this game is the variety of modes available. Now whilst you do have a Practice mode, which is great for learning and mastering songs without the pressure of scoring. You also have a Normal Play mode, where you aim to complete tracks and earn your rank, there isn’t much beyond that.
A notable omission is the absence of any multiplayer or competitive modes that would allow you to directly challenge other players. This is a bit disappointing, especially given the potential for friendly competition in rhythm games. The addition of such a feature could have taken the game’s replay value to the next level, providing players with the opportunity to test their skills against friends or the broader community in real-time. As it stands, the game focuses heavily on solo play, which, while still enjoyable, misses out on the dynamic excitement that multiplayer modes often bring.
Graphics & Audio
The graphics in Spin Rhythm XD are nothing short of ecstatic—literally bursting with bright colours and fast-paced visuals that feel like a high-energy light show. The vibrant aesthetics perfectly match the intensity of the gameplay, immersing you in a visually stunning experience that’s as exciting to watch as it is to play.
One of the standout features of the game is its extensive customisation options. Spin Rhythm XD offers a huge array of ways to personalise your experience, allowing you to tailor the visuals to your liking. From different skins for the wheel to various track textures, track edges, and even note skins, there’s plenty to unlock and experiment with as you progress.
These customisations aren’t just cosmetic; they also add a layer of personalisation that makes the game feel truly yours. Whether you prefer a sleek, minimalistic look or something more vibrant and wilder, you can find a combination that fits your style.
Completing certain objectives unlocks more of these customisation options, rewarding you for your efforts with amazing aesthetic themes that enhance the overall visual flair of the game.
The customisation extends beyond just the gameplay elements; it also includes the menu itself. You can modify various aspects of the menu, such as the menu palette and menu assistant, allowing for a more personalised interface experience. This means you can adjust the colours and overall look to match your preferences or mood.
Furthermore, to these menu changes, the game lets you create new profiles to quickly switch between different colour schemes for each gameplay session. You can customise a wide range of elements, including Wheel Colour A, Wheel Colour B, Beat Bar Colour, Spin Left Colour, Spin Right Colour, Scratch Colour, and Highlights. This level of customisation ensures that your visual experience is fully tailored to your liking.
For example, if, like me, you’re a fan of blue and red, you can set those as your primary colours and see them reflected throughout the game. This flexibility not only enhances your immersion but also adds a personal touch to every aspect of the game, from the menus to the gameplay itself.
Audio Experience
Now the audio experience in Spin Rhythm XD is built around a dynamic mix of music and sound effects, creating an immersive auditory landscape that complements the high-energy gameplay. The soundtrack, featuring a diverse range of EDM tracks, forms the core of the audio experience. Each song is meticulously chosen to align with the rhythm and intensity of the game, ensuring that the beats and melodies keep you engaged and motivated throughout your play sessions.
The sound effects play a crucial role in enhancing the gameplay. Every spin of the wheel, every successful colour match, and every swipe is accompanied by distinct audio cues that provide instant feedback and contribute to the overall rhythm of the game. These sound effects are designed to be both satisfying and energising, syncing seamlessly with the on-screen action to heighten the sense of immersion.
Together, the music and sound effects create a cohesive audio environment that is both lively and stimulating. Whether you’re in the middle of a fast-paced track or fine-tuning your performance in Practice mode, the audio keeps you in tune with the rhythm and drives the excitement of the game.
Options & Accessibility
Spin Rhythm XD offers a wealth of customisation options in its settings and accessibility features. One of the standout aspects is the ability to tailor the Track HUD to your preferences. You can completely alter the HUD layout, including its distance and positioning, to suit your play style and ensure you have the optimal view for each track.
The customisation doesn’t stop there. The game provides extensive settings across two main sections: Controller-Based and VR. In the Controller-Based section, you can remap controls to fit your preferences and even change the style of the control layout.
There's also an intriguing Aim Assist feature that allows you to physically move the controller to adjust the wheel’s position, adding a layer of interactivity that enhances the experience. Using the touchpad for additional functions is another clever mechanic that enriches gameplay.
In VR mode, the game continues to impress with its intuitive and immersive controls, further expanding on the customisation options.
While I could dive deeper into all the impressive mechanics and settings available, I'll wrap it up here. Spin Rhythm XD’s settings and accessibility options provide a truly tailored and immersive experience, making it a standout in its genre.
Spin Rhythm XD excels in its accessibility options, making the game adaptable to a wide range of players. These features ensure that everyone can enjoy the music and gameplay, regardless of their skill level or preferences.
One key accessibility feature is the No Fail Mode, which allows you to experience the game without the pressure of failing, so you can focus purely on enjoying the music and the rhythm. Additionally, the game offers Hold Note Assist and Track Speed Override options, giving you more control over how challenging the gameplay is. These features can be especially helpful if you’re looking to adjust the game to suit your skill level or just want a more relaxed experience.
Visual customisation is also robust. You can change the background style and dynamics to fit your aesthetic preferences. If motion sensitivity is a concern, you can disable the motion tracker or opt to turn off visual effects like colour flashing and wheel flash effects. This level of customisation ensures that the game remains comfortable and enjoyable, even for players who may be sensitive to certain visual stimuli.
Final Thoughts
Initially, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from Spin Rhythm XD, but after diving in and exploring its array of tracks and mechanics, I found it to be an incredibly enjoyable experience. Both the Controller-Based and VR modes offer their own unique thrills, but if you have a PSVR2, the VR mode truly shines.
The immersive nature of VR adds an extra layer of excitement and engagement that enhances the gameplay significantly.
The combination of dynamic tracks, customisable features, and responsive controls makes Spin Rhythm XD a standout title. If you're looking for a fresh and exhilarating rhythm game to play on your PSVR2, I highly recommend giving this one a try. It’s a vibrant, immersive experience that’s well worth your time.
Thank you to everyone who took time out of their day to take a moment to read this review, your support is always appreciated and means the world to me!
So, from all of us and myself thank you! Oh, and guys before you go always remember to… KEEP GAMING!
XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (Gold)
Spin Rhythm XD is AVAILABLE now on: PlayStation 5 PSVR2 Steam Nintendo Switch
(Thank you to the team at Super Spin Digital for providing the code for this review)
I do love a good VR music rhythm game!