共鸣 ReMix is one of the most unique and enjoyable survivor-likes that music lovers will enjoy

Oftentimes, there are games that are quietly released every month that do not get much attention but are actually gems worth trying. 共鸣 ReMix, a unique rhythm rogue-lite by GameSmith, is one of those games.

At first glance, it looks like yet another survivor-like rogue-lite bullet hell, but the unique musical elements and the details in between stages make all the difference.

On top of that, instead of facing ugly monsters, bats, skeletons and the like, your eyes will be treated to a colourful world of funky, chibi-like characters, ghoul-like figures with patterns on their hides, and too many cat-like monsters.

In 共鸣 ReMix, you live in a time where all the music in the world has disappeared so suddenly and caused great distress to people.

However, you as the player, have the ability to summon music and your mission is to recruit band members around the world to join you as you defeat monsters along the way.

Fighting evil with the power of music

The initial set-up is similar to Vampire Survivors. You start with just one character, navigating through a limited map and avoiding and attacking monsters that approach you along the way.

To attack, you should press the space bar in sync with the beat. And the more you land perfect beats, the easier it will be to summon your special skill.

As each wave finishes, you’re able to purchase upgrades that will not only make you stronger but also enrich the music being played in the upcoming waves.

Some of these upgrades may be items that can increase health, luck, %damage, dodge, lifesteal, defence, and more.

Other upgrades come in the form of band members you "recruit". These band members will play some of the major instruments for you along the way and fork out additional damage.

If you have your headphones on or your speakers blasting, you'll find that as you upgrade and recruit band members, you’ll find that the music being played in the background gets richer and richer.

Recruiting one band member might mean adding a bass guitar into the song all while slowing down enemies. Another band member might hand a saxophone into the mix instead and will give out additional burn damage to enemies nearby.

For example, summoning a character or band member named Dorian will add a more noticeable drum beat to your music, and you gain a passive that can slow the monster’s movement speed.

Once you finish a wave successfully, you gain access to other heroes and choose relics that will help you clear more levels later.

Each hero has distinct movement patterns and beats, and songs vary per level of difficulty. What I like about it is that there’s enough variety and concentration needed to be able to pull off certain waves.

The game was so enjoyable that I almost forgot that it’s a survivor-like, let alone a bullet hell, and found myself bobbing my head to the music, enjoying the beat, and wishing each song wasn’t over.

Don’t get me wrong, it gets hectic since the map is quite small. It’s so small that when you reach the extreme edges of the map you, you’ll see a massive blank space in black, and you would have no choice but to manoeuvre your hero back into the fray of monsters and flying bullets.

The special skills are also mostly a treat because once it’s activated, you’re treated to a symphony that may sound like the climax of the song.

There are some instances though when the special skills that sound off from the entire song and don’t mix well with the music, but they are few and far between.

Like other rogue-lites, you also gain upgrades in between levels that can also make you stronger in the form of relics that you can equip and replace in between waves.

You can also hang out at the bar and talk to the band members and increase your bond with them by reading the mini-stories that are revealed as you progress.

I thought the mini-stories would be something between too simple and uninteresting or too bizarre and cryptic.

However, I was pleasantly surprised that the stories were thoughtfully written and the conversations you have with the band members are quite substantial that it felt like you’re having a serious conversation with a friend over a few drinks at the pub after work.

共鸣 ReMix might not be the biggest, flashiest, and most advanced game released this month, but to me, it’s a real hidden gem.

With its enjoyable graphics, fantastic music, and a wide array of things to unlock — from band members to heroes to songs to play — coupled with its multiple difficulty levels, replay value, and addictive nature, it definitely deserves more love from gamers everywhere.

Anna is a freelance writer and photographer. She is a gamer who loves RPGs and platformers, and is a League of Legends geek. She's also a food enthusiast who loves a good cup of black coffee.

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