ROCKBEASTS stands out as a unique RPG that blends band management with narrative choices, all set against the backdrop of an alternative 1990s America. In this game, you step into the role of a manager guiding a rock band from humble garage beginnings toward potential stardom. The experience draws from the talents of Jakub Szamałek, the principal writer behind The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077, and includes voice acting from Baldur's Gate 3 performers along with rock icon Iggy Pop. At its core, it's a comedy-drama that explores the music industry's harsh realities, where every decision impacts your band's fate, from chasing creative integrity to navigating commercial pressures.
Gameplay
The gameplay in ROCKBEASTS revolves around hands-on management of your rock band in a story-driven RPG framework. You handle daily challenges like balancing limited funds for essentials such as food, equipment repairs, and rehearsal spaces. Egos within the band require careful attention to maintain morale and prevent breakdowns that could derail progress. Quests form the backbone of advancement, pushing you to make choices that shape the narrative, whether negotiating with record labels or deciding on creative compromises.
Performances bring a rhythm-based element into play, where you construct setlists to highlight your band's strengths and set up gear to match their style. These concerts demand active participation, with success boosting reputation, cash flow, and fan base, while failures harm morale and opportunities. The game features over 100 characters and 90 locations, all influenced by your decisions, creating a web of relationships with venue owners, promoters, and executives. Resource management extends to keeping the band functional amid industry grind, with mechanics that simulate the tension between authenticity and survival.
Seventeen original tracks inspired by 90s alternative rock enhance the immersion, allowing you to perform them during in-game shows. The hand-drawn art style evokes mature animated series, bringing to life gritty streets, dive bars, and iconic venues in a world where grunge and capitalism clash.
Game Modes
ROCKBEASTS focuses on a single-player campaign that unfolds through a narrative-driven management simulation. There are no separate multiplayer options or distinct competitive modes; instead, the experience centers on guiding your band through a cohesive story from obscurity to potential fame. This mode integrates RPG elements like choice-based progression with management tasks and rhythm challenges, all tied into one overarching journey.
Setting and Features
The game captures an alternative America steeped in 90s rock culture, with locations ranging from radio stations to record stores that reflect the era's sonic landscape. Player choices ripple across more than 90 distinct spots, affecting outcomes and relationships. Original music tracks let you engage directly with the Seattle sound during performances, adding authenticity to the band's rise.
- Manage band resources and relationships to survive industry pressures.
- Engage in rhythm-based concerts that determine success.
- Navigate moral dilemmas in negotiations and creative decisions.
Is It Worth Playing?
For those who enjoy narrative-heavy RPGs mixed with management simulation and a touch of rhythm action, ROCKBEASTS holds strong appeal, especially with its fresh take on the music industry. The involvement of a seasoned writer and notable voice talent suggests a compelling story, while the blend of mechanics offers depth for players interested in strategic decision-making. As an upcoming title, it targets fans of character-driven games, making it a solid pick if you appreciate themes of ambition and compromise in a rock-themed setting. If fast-paced action is more your style, this might not fit, but for thoughtful gameplay, it looks promising upon release.
