Invector: Rhythm Galaxy

Invector Rhythm Galaxy is the perfect follow-up to an already perfect rhythm game. Its eye-popping visuals light up my living room as its bass lines make my teeth chitter in pure glee. This game makes me happy and that is probably the best praise I can think of.

If you’re a fan of these songs or just like rhythm games in general, you will get some enjoyment out of Invector. The bugs and glitches will ruin a round or two here and there and you might not like all the songs but for $25 there’s a decent amount of content for a game that’s pretty engaging.

If you're wanting to expand your musical tastes or play some more of Invector: Rhythm Galaxy, I recommend that you get at least one of its song packs. The Spinnin' pack is more for EDM folks, whereas Latin Power contains great choices for those interested in reggaeton/Latin pop music. I'm a smidge disappointed that the packs only contain music and not much else, but hey – the tracks themselves are excellent candidates for a rhythm game and will assuredly join your "on repeat" playlist this holiday season.

Overall, it's a visually striking game and I was quite mesmerized by the world you get to play in. Because the story really didn't grab me I wasn't super fussed about the disparity in the music options and instead took it as a chance to enjoy some tracks I am familiar with along with possibly finding some new artists to do a deep dive into later (which may be somewhat the intent of the variety on offer). If you like rhythm games and don't mind a broad range of songs then you may just enjoy jumping in your ship and boosting your way around the neon tracks of Invector: Rhythm Galaxy.

Invector: Rhythm Galaxy has trouble figuring out its licensed soundtrack, and the combination of returning and brand new issues leaves the series in a difficult position moving forward.

Invector: Rhythm Galaxy combines rhythm and visual in an excellent musical journey. Controlling the ship according to the beat is enticing, especially due to the constant style changes in the stages. Beyond that, the atmosphere is impressive with colorful and bright scenery that pulsates along with the eclectic soundtrack. Some elements could have been more polished, like the difficulty curve and the visual chaos, and there are few new features when comparing it to the previous title. Compelling and offering a good challenge, Invector: Rhythm Galaxy is a harmonious experience recommended for fans of the genre.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a lot of games quite like Invector: Rhythm Galaxy, and this is the kind of dopamine injection I feel the genre was in need of for a while. The feel of sweeping across alien landscapes with some sick tunes in the backdrop while handling fast and furious rhythm action all flows so well together… once you get the hang of doing it. If you’ve dived into ship-based rhythm romps like Audiosurf and Amplitude, you’ll be happy to know that Invector: Rhythm Galaxy is right up that same alley, and is absolutely just as much of a blast to play, doing exactly what these types of music/rhythm games do best.

Invector: Rhythm Galaxy squanders the rare advantage of an officially licensed soundtrack with some strange design choices and unbalanced difficulty that may repel newcomers, while being far too similar to its predecessor to attract returning fans.

Rhythm Galaxy is a very good rhythm game, but it's also very safe and very familiar, doing little to freshen up the formula.

The Invector series may have started as a tribute to a specific artist who had actually been part of its development, but I cannot deny that Invector: Rhythm Galaxy is the perfect follow-up for these games (as controversial as the idea for an Avicii-less sequel may sound), as well as the obvious next step for the franchise. It’s easily one of the best rhythm games released in recent memory, combining a fun and intuitive gameplay loop with an expertly curated setlist.