Rock and Rollerblade- R2Beat

While many free-to-play gamers find gratification in the depths of a enormously sized role-playing game or the furtive tactics of a first-person shooter, others associate the term “MMO” with an impenetrably complex pastime. Fortunately, for players more enamored by the breezy pastimes found on Pogo.com or PopCap‘s flash-based diversions, the amount of recreational options have mushroomed in recent years. One game that admirably bridges the chasm between those divergent audiences is R2Beat, which mixes familiar rhythm-based mechanics with the depth and options typical for most massively multiplayer titles.

Gamers who have ever played a round of Guitar Hero or Rock Band will instantly recognize R2Beat‘s inspiration. Using their keyboard’s four arrow keys, players tap out combinations in tempo with on-screen prompts. Yet instead of traveling down an abstract highway packed with music notes, gamers control a rollerblader- who dodges, jumps and crouches underneath obstacles while dashing to the finish line. Like any rhythm game, it may take players a few racers before they acclimate to R2Beat‘s pacing. However, after a few training runs, the title’s cadence become unmistakable, allowing gamers to fluidly weave around any succession of obstructions. Additionally, players use the control key to either initiate a boost, or fire any offensive measures found on each course.

As plastic instrument veterans will admit, replaying the same songs can grow tedious. Smartly, R2Beat includes a slew of modes- from heated team battles, baton-passing relays, or solo competitions, each variant allowing participants to select if items are distributed across the course. For players unable to decide which type of race they want to compete in, the game will even generate custom challenges  to carry out.  After each match, players are given RCoin based on their performance, which can be used to access new stages, pets, or even new clothing for their avatar. Within a few races, I was able to afford an eye-catching panda head cover and stylish pants. The title even starts players off with a hearty bankroll.

With adorable, cell-shaded avatars and a palette bursting with vibrant hues, R2Beat recalls the graphical charm of a first-party Wii title. Despite the client’s diminutive 371 MB size, the title visuals are consistently attractive, as participants dash across underwater, urban, and park-like environments. Special events are commonplace, with Halloween and Christmas stimulating themed events and festive costumes. Even with a capacity match of six on-line participants, the title displayed no noticeable lag- even at a low bandwidth-impaired wireless hotspot. Sonically, the title’s collection of K-pop is almost unswervingly catchy; the game has even spurred its own official soundtrack.

For players who crave a friendly, social competition, but are intimidated by both the complexity and intimidating community common to many massively multiplayer titles, R2Beat may prove to be a worthwhile destination. With a affable learning curve and uncomplicated control scheme, participants can become capable competitors within a few hours. Don’t be surprised to find that the thrill of victory is accompanied by the obsession to persevere in an effort to procure that adorable Nerocon pet.

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

27 comments

  1. How about a link?

  2. I’m sure everyone had the Panda Head on- It’s a Korean game, right?

  3. This proves Desert likes the “K” as much as the “J”!

  4. I thought it was MegaMan in the first pic!

  5. I wasn’t so big on Tales Weaver- it took too long to level up. Is this any better?

  6. Looks just like a Wii game and a bit like Jet Grind Radio.

  7. I’ll give it a try.

  8. Look for the big tall, white dude with one on.

  9. Cool looking graphics.

  10. Do the pets have any kind of function, or are they there for show?

  11. Didn’t you guys have an MMO portal or an ad for one?

  12. it’s nothing like JGR. Don’t even make the comparison.

    And damn you Sega for not bring it out on the Dreamcast collection, or updating the game.

  13. Um, where do you know what direction to push? I don’t see any indicators on screen?

  14. I don’t remember any. When I listen to the podcast, they rarely talk about MMOS.

  15. Is this from the Korean organization that was on the podcast? I need to get off my ass and play one of these games!

  16. I’ll try almost anything that’s free. But whats the catch.

  17. K is for Kirkland?

  18. Seems pretty simple so far, just finished the training levels.

  19. You guys should embed a video of the game along with the pictures.

  20. Pretty simple game, but you cant beat the price. Is there a link to download the soundtrack?

  21. HeadGamerInCharge

    Looks pretty meh.

  22. Getting the client right now.

  23. Looks like something Deagle would like and NOLA would hate.

  24. This looks insane:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vBBikpJAow

    tell me the game isn’t really that fast.

  25. How come there’s no score?

  26. I like something beyond reviews, but MMO talk isn’t what I’m looking for.

  27. I can tell by the graphics I’m not going to like this. Looks like a game for 13 year old girls.