Just Shapes & Beats
| Just Shapes & Beats | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Berzerk Studio |
| Publisher(s) | Berzerk Studio |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 |
| Release | May 31, 2018 |
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Just Shapes & Beats is an action rhythm video game developed and published by Canadian indie team Berzerk Studio. It was released on May 31, 2018 for Windows and Nintendo Switch, February 24, 2019 for macOS and Linux, May 10, 2019 for PlayStation 4 in the US, and May 30, 2019 for PlayStation 4 in Europe, Russia and Australia. In the game, players move to the beat of background music as a colorful shape that survives by dodging pink shapes.
Gameplay
Up to four players control one small shape, surviving attacks simply by dodging against a variety of attacks, such as huge beams, bouncing hills, snake-like spirals, and pulsating shapes. These attacks appear, move, and attack in rhythm to the music, with difficulty increasing the further players progress.[1]
Getting struck by one of these attacks causes a player to lose part of their shape. If the shape breaks entirely, the game rewinds to the previous checkpoint. Three breaks results in a Game Over screen. The rhythm and the beat visually manifests on-screen as all manner of objects, of different patterns and sizes, that must be dodged until the track ends.[1]
Just Shapes & Beats offers multiple modes that feature variations on the basic gameplay, such as party mode, playlist, and challenge run.
Development
The first demo of the game was revealed at PAX 2016 and was supposed to be released that summer. During the event, release date was delayed from late 2016 to early 2017.[2] The game was eventually delayed again, with a launch date of summer 2018. On March 20, 2018 it was announced that the game would also receive a release on the Nintendo Switch.[3][4]
Reception
On review aggregator Metacritic, Just Shapes & Beats has received 83/100, indicating "generally favorable reviews."[5]
Accolades[6]
- PAX Prime, 2014
- Indie Megabooth Alumni
- PAX East, 2015
- Indie Megabooth Alumni
- SideQuesting Team Choice Award
- Destructoid Best of PAX
- Golden Joystick Awards, 2018[7][8]
- Best Audio Design
- Best Indie Game
- Independent Games Festival Awards[9], 2018
- Excellence in Visual Art
References
- ^ a b "Review: Just Shapes & Beats". destructoid. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
- ^ McAloon, Alissa (April 23, 2016). "Just Shapes & Beats is stressful, chaotic, and I absolutely love it". Destructoid. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ Osborn, Alex (March 20, 2018). "GDC 2018: 14 Games Announced for Nintendo Switch in March 20th's Nindies Showcase". IGN. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ Moyse, Chris (March 20, 2018). "Reaction-based bass blaster Just Shapes & Beats coming to Switch". Destructoid. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ "Just Shapes & Beats for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ^ Studio, Berzerk. "Just Shapes & Beats". justshapesandbeats.com. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
- ^ Hoggins, Tom (September 24, 2018). "Golden Joysticks 2018 nominees announced, voting open now". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
- ^ Sheridan, Connor (November 16, 2018). "Golden Joystick Awards 2018 winners: God of War wins big but Fortnite gets Victory Royale". GamesRadar+. Retrieved November 18, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Fogel, Stephanie (January 3, 2019). "'Return of the Obra Dinn' Leads IGF Awards Nominees". Variety. Retrieved January 14, 2019.
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