Beatblock may look simple but this rhythm-action game is absolutely brilliant (and brutal)

Beatblock has such a simple style to it that it may fool you into thinking it's a rather basic game, but the rhythm-action is provides is properly good. Note: the developer sent a key.

Entering Early Access in September, it fell down a bit of a hole in the GamingOnLinux inbox that I'm putting right today, because I'm not usually one for such rhythm games but it won my over during the tutorial. That's how fast it hooked me because of the clever game mechanics, and the wonderfully popping tunes to go with it. It's also really flipping challenging too. In a few ways, it reminded me a bit of the classic Super Hexagon.

Every song literally revolves around you, and so you have to keep up with it. You're in the middle, controlling a little face with a paddle that you rotate around you to catch blocks in time with the clicks from the tunes.

You get basic square blocks to hit, then there's longer curved blocks you need to move the paddle with to keep up, circles that form around you and shrink down until they hit the paddle where you need to mouse-click at the right time and then also blocks that come towards you with circles around them that require a mouse click too. Especially difficult at times when it combines them together, like the longer blocks that additionally require a mouse click at the start, and to take your finger off the button right at the end.

There's a lot more to it than that, as once you get into more tunes you'll see even more game mechanics making it even more varied and challenging.

Just so many little bits together that make sure you give it 110% of your attention. It's one of those deceptively simple looking games, that's anything but simple.

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Game Highlights:

• Explore new mechanics across 25+ songs in the Atom Map, from learning the basics to tackling challenges!
  • More songs are planned for future updates to bring the final scope to 40+ songs!
• Flow with the music in different ways with multiple block types.
• Tailor-made visuals for every song to set the scene (or mess with you...)
• Customize Cranky however you want with unlockable costumes!
• Chart a new path on your own songs with the built-in level editor!
• Accessibility options to tweak the game and have fun on your own terms!

Fantastic, if you can handle the challenge. The "Easy" mode is just a lie, there's nothing easy about it.