A Musical Story

Wonderful, lo-fi sounds and hand-crafted visuals make A Musical Story a clear a labour of love, sadly let down by its rhythm mechanics.

Great music, delivered in frustratingly bitty form. A clever rhythm game that doesn't mesh with its prominent story.

What the game ultimately delivers is a charming, unique debut title from a studio we’re certainly interested to see more of.

In its mission to make you listen to its music, A Musical Story practically hands you a blindfold. The story asks you to relax into its acid-trip jam-session cool, but somewhat harshes the mellow with its insistence on repeating long phrases until they’re perfect. However, it looks and sounds fabulous, and will reward perseverance and repeated plays.

For music lovers who can’t play instruments, keen on perhaps learning how songs pull together, this will appeal. But for gamers looking at an indie purchase with longevity and diversity of gameplay, it’s best to avoid.

A Musical Story is a warm, interesting and charming small adventure about songwriting and inspiration with, at its core, an essential, but not shallow, rhythm game. It looks and plays as a 70s rock concept album and lingers through solos, emotional spikes and perfect esecution. Sometimes is a bit unfair, but well, the road to perfection can be harsh.

A Musical Story is a game made by people who love music to fans who are also enthusiasts. The way its compositions completely match the gameplay and the illustrations telling a story, and the fact it isn't demanding perfection in the [player's] performance of the tracks, makes this game a celebration of music['s place] in our lives. Some situations briefly break the spell, such as the lack of visual cues during songs making errors more prominent in the complex tracks. The short duration of the game also leaves a slightly bitter taste in the mouth. However, neither defeats the effort of Glee-Cheese Studio. This is a worthy first title that defines the base for future productions of the developer.

Featuring a gorgeous soundtrack and sumptuous visuals, A Musical Story certainly has everything going for it, but the experience as a whole feels as hollow as an acoustic guitar that was played once and never picked up again. Once it’s done, it’s done. And you won’t feel the need to return.

A Musical Story is a short rhythm game that stands out with genuinely good original music, a touching story, and amazing visuals. If you're a fan of music, art, or all things creative, this game is certainly right up your alley.

All in all, A Musical Story takes you on a special journey, and it would be great to see more games like this.