Rift of the NecroDancer is the latest spin-off from the team behind the cult rhythm hit Crypt of the NecroDancer, and it’s finally here on PC and Nintendo Switch. Mixing rhythm-action gameplay with JRPG-style boss fights, quirky mini-games, and a killer soundtrack, it aims to stand out in a crowded genre.
Let’s dive into how Rift of the NecroDancer plays, how it looks and sounds, and whether it lives up to the hype. If you’re wondering if this rhythm game is worth adding to your playlist, here’s everything you need to know.
A Tale Between the Tracks
Rift of the NecroDancer picks up with Cadence, who finds herself pulled through a mysterious rift into a modern, human world. Disastrously monsters are spilling out of these rifts too, so alongside a cast of familiar faces, our heroine must use the power of music to send them back.
The story isn’t the main focus, but it does a nice job of breaking up the rhythm battles with short cutscenes. These little moments show the characters trying to adapt to everyday human jobs while still investigating the rifts and the villain behind it all, the NecroDancer.
If you want a structured journey, the dedicated story mode is there to work through. But if all you really care about is diving into the game’s excellent soundtrack, you can skip straight to unlocking tracks by just jamming your way through.
Learning the Steps
If you’ve played a rhythm game before, Rift of the NecroDancer will feel instantly familiar. The tutorial gives big Guitar Hero vibes, only instead of coloured notes falling down strings, it’s enemies charging at you. Across the game’s 35 tracks, you’ll face a steady stream of monsters, and since launch, DLC characters like Hatsune Miku have even joined the party.
Many of the enemies will be familiar if you’ve played Crypt of the NecroDancer, including fantasy staples like slimes, skeletons, and harpies. Each has its own behaviour, though most come down to needing a set number of hits to take out. This is where Rift sets itself apart from other rhythm games: it’s not just about timing button presses, it’s about reading enemies and adapting to their quirks.
Take skeletons, for example. Basic ones go down in a single strike, but yellow skeletons lose their heads and sprint around before returning to the fray. Things can get hectic quickly, and at first it feels overwhelming, but once you start moving in sync with the beat, it clicks and becomes both challenging and satisfying.
The real curveball comes with enemies that attack off-beat. You can spot them by their oddly shaped shadows, but until you’ve trained your ears and eyes to expect it, they’ll throw you off. You can see this in the first few minutes of our gameplay video, where those off-beat foes caused some real trouble.
Big Bad on the Beat
One of Rift of the NecroDancer’s best tricks is how it shakes up the formula. At its heart it’s still a rhythm game, but boss fights give it a fresh spin.
These battles play out like a classic JRPG encounter. Cadence stands at the bottom of the screen with her back to you, while the boss looms ahead. As they attack, button prompts pop up across the screen. Nailing these lets you counter and chip away at their health bar. It’s a clever twist, and while simple, it adds variety and keeps the action feeling lively.
A Quick Dance Break
To keep things varied, Rift sprinkles in a handful of mini-games throughout story mode. These short diversions strip things back to lighter rhythm challenges, dressed up with a colourful art style and playful animations.
The first one has Cadence joining a yoga class after Dove tells her she’s too stressed, and it only gets sillier from there. There are five mini-games in total, each fully replayable, and they serve as a fun breather between the more intense battles.
Dancing with Style
Rift oozes style from start to finish, switching between looks with real flair. Characters bounce along to the beat during songs, while boss battles channel the feel of classic JRPGs. It nods to different genres without ever losing its own identity.
The mini-games add variety both mechanically and visually, swapping to a chibi, light-hearted style that feels like a playful break from the main action.
There are moments where the screen can feel a bit crowded, with enemies, effects, and prompts all firing off at once. But if you stay in rhythm, the chaos becomes part of the charm, almost like you’re dancing through the madness.
Turn it Up!
Danny Baranowsky’s tunes are instantly recognisable, and Rift of the NecroDancer keeps that tradition alive. The soundtrack is punchy, energetic, and full of driving rhythms that had me nodding my head the whole time I was playing. Thanks to Spotify, it’s even slipped into my day-to-day listening outside the game.
His mix of thumping basslines and catchy melodies, blending electronic and rock vibes, feels chaotic yet perfectly controlled. It’s not just great to hear, it’s designed to be fun to play against, keeping every beat clear and satisfying.
It’s also a treat to hear tracks from Danny B’s other work, like Super Meat Boy, making a return. And while he’s the star name here, other contributors shine too. Everything Alex Moukala touches, for example, is just fantastic — Amalgamaniac is banging.
The First 40 Minutes of Gameplay
Encore
Rift of the NecroDancer is a brilliant twist on the rhythm game formula. It keeps the heart of what made Crypt so unique but isn’t afraid to try new ideas, from JRPG-style boss fights to silly mini-games that give you a breather between tracks. The visual style is bold and varied, and while things can get a bit busy on screen, sticking to the beat makes it all click in a way that feels both chaotic and satisfying.
The real star here is the soundtrack. Danny Baranowsky and friends have delivered a setlist that’s not just fun to listen to, but an absolute joy to play along with. It’s a game that makes you want to nod your head, tap your foot, and keep coming back for one more run.
The growing list of DLCs are impressive, they also include characters from their respective series. On PC however, it’s got full Steam Workshop support. There’s plenty of custom songs to keep you entertained, but word of warning, they’re really difficult!
Whether you’re here for the story, the challenge, or just the music, Rift of the NecroDancer delivers. It’s not perfect, but it’s stylish, clever, and packed with personality. For rhythm fans — and especially for anyone who loved Crypt — this one is well worth your time.
8/10
A stylish, challenging, and surprisingly funny rhythm game that’ll keep you moving to the beat.