Synth Riders was originally a VR title. This should be problematic as full-body motion controls don’t always translate well to controllers or Joy-Cons. Thankfully, my fears were miles off the mark as the developer has done an amazing job with the control system. Furthermore, although the concept is relatively simple, the action is addictive and tough to put down.
Kluge Interactive developed and published this synth experience. It is a single-player and multiplayer title that has a wonderful neon edge. Moreover, it is relatively simple to master as every core concept is well explained. However, there is plenty of room for error as you must react perfectly and avoid obstacles if you wish to get the highest score.
Synth Riders is all about heroes and a dystopian future.
AI is quickly becoming the norm. However, people fear that it will take over. Sadly, this is exactly what happens in Synth Riders. The ruthless AI named XANDER has seized control of the city. This evil entity has banned art, and society has almost forgotten its existence. Thankfully, 3 heroes will not let this happen as they grab their hoverboards and take to the streets.
The story is told wonderfully through cutscenes that punctuate the campaign mode. As you progress, an eclectic array of funky songs fills the air. It is this toe-tapping spine that makes Synth Riders a truly stunning spectacle. Although many of the tunes were not to my liking, I loved the hard-hitting bass and the vibrant neon edge.
Plenty to get your teeth into.
If you enjoy a competitive experience, this will appeal to you. The multiplayer mode is great fun. Additionally, competing to show your movement prowess has some great bragging rights. Timing, accuracy, and the ability to avoid obstacles help to enhance your score. If you can knit together a lengthy streak and time your movement perfectly, you will destroy anyone or anything that tries to take your spot on the leaderboard.
If you are a solo player, you can play this casually or dig into the campaign mode. Either way, the concept is the same. You are challenged to move your character’s arms to hit either a pink or a blue symbol. Alternatively, you must leap chasms, avoid walls, and ride rails. Each of these elements is easy on its own, but when combined, it becomes a bit hectic to follow.
Alongside this, there are some crazy tricks to execute. These add to the madness while enhancing your score. Consequently, mastering these moves quickly becomes an essential element. Thankfully, younger gamers can still enjoy the action without pushing themselves to the limits. This makes Synth Riders an extremely balanced and accessible game.
Synth Riders looks fantastic.
Whether you play this on your handheld screen or your TV, it looks fantastic. There is a wonderful futuristic edge that matches the energetic audio. Furthermore, each of the 3 heroes has a unique look that adds variety. I admit that I didn’t pay much attention to the background. However, when I did take note, I liked the grim appeal and the wash of neon lights.
The audio is a synth dream. Furthermore, if you buy the premium edition or buy the DLC, you’ll enjoy an array of popular artists and songs. If you own the base game, you’ll enjoy 28 songs. However, the premium edition extends this to 64 songs, including every item from the 6 available DLC.
Excellent controls.
I expected Synth Riders to be horrible to play. VR ported games tend to be a little jarring and poorly executed. Luckily, this doesn’t suffer from poor controls or a lack of accuracy. Instead, it is responsive, easy to play, and a joy to collect every blue and pink note.
If you love this genre, you will not be able to put this down. Whether you play this alone or with others, it’s a competitive, addictive, and great deal of fun. Moreover, the ability to expand the library of songs helps to enhance replay value and longevity.
Synth Riders is a great indie game.
This appealed to my love of music and my competitive side. I adore the futuristic style, the excellent story, and the multiplayer action. Moreover, it was easy to pick up and tough to master. Accordingly, I think it’s a great indie game, and I recommend buying it here! Can you bring art and music back to the world? Grab your board, pull off some amazing moves, and show that AI who is boss.
