Super Crazy Rhythm Castle (PS5) Review
Release Date: November 14, 2023
Publisher/Developer: Konami Digital Entertainment GmbH
Platform: PlayStation 4& 5 (reviewed), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One/Series, Steam
Price: $39.99
Konami and their Bemani branch of rhythm games deserve respect at bringing the beat to video games. Therefore, when I heard Konami had another music game on the horizon, I was excited. Super Crazy Rhythm Castle did not end up scratching that itch, being a different take on the music genre, but when looked at independently, it can add up to a fun and chaotic multiplayer experience akin to games like Overcooked or Moving Out.
Super Crazy Rhythm Castle sounds like you’re going for a traditional music game experience, when in actuality players find themselves attempting to usurp the throne of King Ferdinand, who recently took over the castle himself. The castle is based on music and rhythm, with a heaping pile of absurdity thrown on for good measure. Instead of seeing this as a straight music game, think of it more like Overcooked, except instead of making dinner you’re dropping beats.
Most of the levels in the game have some sort of bar in them with music notes heading toward a line to interact with like most every rhythm game you’ve ever played. These beats are integral to beating the level: they might energize a machine or add ammunition to a cannon. During each level, something weird happens. Garbage may fall on your path, forcing you to clean up before you can play more. Monsters may come out and tie you up. Heck, in an early level a finger comes out and just stops your meter from increasing until you push buttons to get rid of it. These oddball mixups keep you on your toes, and it becomes perfectly natural to use your rhythm skills to destroy a giant DJ Eggplant or even play a video game inside the video game. King Ferdinand does everything he can to annoy and interrupt you.
I went into the game thinking “rhythm” when I probably should have been thinking “party game.” SCRC disappointed me at first when I played a level that I got the beat down, stuff covered my screen, and I was able to hold it, only to be told I had to “clean up” to progress. I had to do the cardinal sin of leaving the rhythm portion of the game while the song was going to go do Other Things. It feels wrong. Of course, I was looking at this from a solo perspective. I could see that this game, with up to four players, can easily spread the chaos. Just like Overcooked, someone might be running the rhythm but be closer to the next wonky thing, jumping off to save the day while someone else runs in to take over. A frustrating bit also is rhythm games do take a set amount of time to get through a level while chaos multiplayer levels rely on luck and figuring out what to do, which can lead to level failures. This means you may find yourself replaying levels simply because you didn’t know what to do the last time, and having to push through stuff you’ve seen before. With the rhythm taking the back seat, it also means that there aren’t a lot of popular songs on here. You do end up unlocking some stages with classic Konami music in it though. Players can unlock tracks to play without distraction, too, so you can practice. Maximizing your rhythm will help you in the normal levels to beat Ferdinand’s evil schemes.
Put SCRC in a party situation, though, and it’s sure to please. Several friends can get together and poke around laughing at the silly antics you find yourself in. It’s less about perfect runs and more about an extra bit of spice thrown into the traditional wacky multiplayer game. If you’re looking for something after exhausting the other chaotic multiplayer games on your system and can keep a beat, Super Crazy Rhythm Castle offers a fun, lighthearted story and plenty of Super Crazy levels to tap your foot to.
Pros:
-Perfect for gamers who want the zany feel of Overcooked or Moving Out
-Excellent throwbacks to classic Konami music
-Odd humor thrown in everywhere
Cons:
-It feels really weird to play a rhythm game where you let go of the beat
-Sometimes frustrating to have to figure out what you are supposed to do
-Not as fun solo, hyper chaotic in a group. You have to find a good team and balance.
Special thanks to Konami for providing a code for review!