GRIDbeat PC Review

I love it when a game turns up and knocks me off my feet. This is exactly what happened when I was given GRIDbeat to play on both the PC and the Steam Deck. Yes, you may be wondering why I’m reviewing another PC game. Well, why not? Second, I’m sure this will eventually get a port to Xbox, and I didn’t want to miss the early train.

Developer Ridiculous Games presents a rhythm-based experience that is occasionally punishing. However, the delightful synth music, tough on-the-beat movement, and extremely high replay value make this a game that is tough to put down and great to experience.

GRIDbeat shows that hacking and AI are wrong.

We all know that mega corporations and optimisation are bad news for the little guy. However, GRIDbeat takes it to a whole new level. With systematic program wipes and “The Architect”, aka, Buzzkillington, on the warpath to remove any program with soul, passion, and a sense for musical edge, “Pulse”, the rogue program must make a stand.

The story is extremely well delivered in a minimalist but theme-accurate style. “Pulse” and “Static” work together nicely to navigate layers of the original OS mainframe as they overcome glitches, take down firewalls, and deactivate “Sentinel” guardian programs in a boss-style encounter.

The result is a game that is punishing no matter which setting you pick. I chose the easiest one, and I’m a little ashamed. However, had I gone any harder, I genuinely believe I’d have launched my PC and Steam Deck into the sea.

Brilliantly simple.

GRIDbeat is one of those games that lives and dies through its incredibly simple ideas. Effectively, you must move to the beat of each phenomenal song. If you fail to do this, you’ll go out of sync and eventually lose data packets. This results in a slowdown of your system and death. Furthermore, if you are tackling a corrupted level, you’d better stick to the rhythm, or the corruption smashes you into a million pieces.

As the game unfolds, you’ll unlock new tools to help your cause. These specialist tools are balanced with the problems that you face. Consequently, you can always make it through a stage even if you cannot take every path on offer. Once you have unlocked enough tools, you can return to the stages to find every collectable on offer.

This was a great design choice as you are left to work things out, but never feel out of your depth. Despite the challenging approach, everything feels balanced, and there was no frustration aimed towards the stage design or the way things progress. Instead, many of my issues came from a lack of skill.

GRIDbeat is truly futuristic.

If you love refined, cold, callous, and futuristic games, GRIDbeat is one for you. The developer grabbed their theme by the horns and refused to let go. The dialogue uses tiny text boxes to reflect messages on a monitor or data screen. Moreover, the use of vibrant and sharp colours juxtaposes the lifeless backdrop. The audio adds to the mix with its funky and impressive synth vibes. Furthermore, the sound effects are shrill and work with the robotic and futuristic theme.

You can play this with a mouse and keyboard if you wish, but it works much better with a controller. This is reflected in its near-perfect Steam Deck performance. The control system is easy to understand, and a thorough tutorial sets you on your way. Although it would be a struggle, younger gamers could play this if they wish. Replay value is off the charts with loads of collectables and the drip-fed tools. Subsequently, if you are a completionist or you love to test yourself, there are loads of reasons to return.

GRIDbeat is a fantastic indie game.

I love it when a game surprises me. Originality is hard to come by, and GRIDbeat has some impressive and original ideas. Although it is very tough, and some levels can feel a little rinse-and-repeat, it is a fantastic indie game. Additionally, the ability to play it on the Steam Deck with no issues or compromise was a massive bonus. Accordingly, I recommend grabbing a copy from Steam!