-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
THUMPER is pretty much a perfect game
- Thread starter Neiteio
- Start date
SilentTristero
Member
VR was transcendent for this game. That final level is a religious experience.
This game is so gorgeous.
I love the inverted pyramid that appears in the sky before the omega boss in each world, and how the track dips down like a rollercoaster, to convey the sense that you're diving deeper into this hellscape. And sure enough, the giant demonic head rises up to greet you.
SO COOL!
I love the inverted pyramid that appears in the sky before the omega boss in each world, and how the track dips down like a rollercoaster, to convey the sense that you're diving deeper into this hellscape. And sure enough, the giant demonic head rises up to greet you.
SO COOL!
MaverickHunterAsh
Member
Hmm, interesting! Our tastes usually align completely, Neiteio, but I'm going to be the obviously lone voice of dissent here and say I'm not a fan of Thumper!
I do think Thumper is a great game outside of my own issues with it and I can see why it's popular, but as an existing hardcore rhythm game fan, I don't like it at all. Weird, right?
I think it has to do with the "rhythm violence" conceit and the overall focus on creating an oppressive, unsettling, uncomfortable atmosphere for the player and the music it uses to achieve that. I agree that Thumper absolutely, fully sells the dark atmosphere it's all about presenting and successfully marries that with its gameplay, but I've found that's just not what I'm looking for in rhythm games. I'm not a fan of industrial, metal, and hard-style "dark" electronic music outside of games, so it goes to follow that I wouldn't really enjoy that within the games I play either. I think I also just associate rhythm games with peppy, positive, bright vibes in general (see most mixes of most Bemani titles, Rhythm Heaven/Tengoku, Hatsune Miku, etc.).
Anyway, I digress. I applaud Thumper's developer for creating what is certainly a singular rhythm game experience (and also for tweaking the Switch port to take full advantage of the system) and I recognize it's a great game despite my personal tastes, but it's just not for me and this is not at all the kind of music and visual presentation I'd ever want to see the genre trend toward overall.
And before anyone who isn't Neiteio accuses me of drive-by shitposting, I've played Thumper on PS4 several times, PSVR included... which only exacerbated the issues I have with the game as described above. Remember, I'm not trying to say it sucks, I'm just explaining why it hasn't won me over like it has so many others.
I do think Thumper is a great game outside of my own issues with it and I can see why it's popular, but as an existing hardcore rhythm game fan, I don't like it at all. Weird, right?
I think it has to do with the "rhythm violence" conceit and the overall focus on creating an oppressive, unsettling, uncomfortable atmosphere for the player and the music it uses to achieve that. I agree that Thumper absolutely, fully sells the dark atmosphere it's all about presenting and successfully marries that with its gameplay, but I've found that's just not what I'm looking for in rhythm games. I'm not a fan of industrial, metal, and hard-style "dark" electronic music outside of games, so it goes to follow that I wouldn't really enjoy that within the games I play either. I think I also just associate rhythm games with peppy, positive, bright vibes in general (see most mixes of most Bemani titles, Rhythm Heaven/Tengoku, Hatsune Miku, etc.).
Anyway, I digress. I applaud Thumper's developer for creating what is certainly a singular rhythm game experience (and also for tweaking the Switch port to take full advantage of the system) and I recognize it's a great game despite my personal tastes, but it's just not for me and this is not at all the kind of music and visual presentation I'd ever want to see the genre trend toward overall.
And before anyone who isn't Neiteio accuses me of drive-by shitposting, I've played Thumper on PS4 several times, PSVR included... which only exacerbated the issues I have with the game as described above. Remember, I'm not trying to say it sucks, I'm just explaining why it hasn't won me over like it has so many others.
n0razi
Member
And then grab the superior version on PSVR
Totally understand, Ash! I always enjoy reading/hearing your opinions.Hmm, interesting! Our tastes usually align completely, Neiteio, but I'm going to be the obviously lone voice of dissent here and say I'm not a fan of Thumper!
I do think Thumper is a great game outside of my own issues with it and I can see why it's popular, but as an existing hardcore rhythm game fan, I don't like it at all. Weird, right?
I think it has to do with the "rhythm violence" conceit and the overall focus on creating an oppressive, unsettling, uncomfortable atmosphere for the player and the music it uses to achieve that. I agree that Thumper absolutely, fully sells the dark atmosphere it's all about presenting and successfully marries that with its gameplay, but I've found that's just not what I'm looking for in rhythm games. I'm not a fan of industrial, metal, and hard-style "dark" electronic music outside of games, so it goes to follow that I wouldn't really enjoy that within the games I play either. I think I also just associate rhythm games with peppy, positive, bright vibes in general (see most mixes of most Bemani titles, Rhythm Heaven/Tengoku, Hatsune Miku, etc.).
Anyway, I digress. I applaud Thumper's developer for creating what is certainly a singular rhythm game experience (and also for tweaking the Switch port to take full advantage of the system) and I recognize it's a great game despite my personal tastes, but it's just not for me and this is not at all the kind of music and visual presentation I'd ever want to see the genre trend toward overall.
And before anyone who isn't Neiteio accuses me of drive-by shitposting, I've played Thumper on PS4 several times, PSVR included... which only exacerbated the issues I have with the game as described above. Remember, I'm not trying to say it sucks, I'm just explaining why it hasn't won me over like it has so many others.
Sounds like the game's tone is not to your liking. It's definitely going for its own unique vibe. I can see how it wouldn't be for everyone in that respect.
Also, I don't usually play rhythm games, so I have a much more limited point of reference than you. Maybe if I had played all those games you mentioned, I'd feel similarly.
But as it stands, I really enjoy this game.
thebisonxrc
Member
Yeah, Thumper is incredible. It's far exceeded my expectations and has become one of my favourite games for the Switch. I owe this one to GAF. Probably wouldn't have checked it out if it were not for all the positive chatter about it.
The Xtortionist
Member
Just beat level 2 and I'm finding the game to be more thrilling than unsettling (this is pretty much F-Zero GX in rhythm game form). Does it ratchet up the creepiness in later levels?
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
This is the first time I've looked at the game and it looks awesome! Appears to be an evolution of the Amplitude formula, which was a game I loved.
Man, this would be really nice to have with me everywhere.
Man, this would be really nice to have with me everywhere.
The Xtortionist
Member
Just started level 3. Holy fuck at this slam mechanic to break the boss' shield
Betta Lines
Member
They all do - the PS Move uses rotary motors, the Vive and Rift controllers use linear actuators like the Switch. The Switch ones seem to be the most effective in general (probably because of the biggest power-to-weight ratio), and Drool has done extra work to take advantage of that.
nice! sounds like playing on Vive or Rift would be really cool
SmokedMeat
Gamer™
Is this $20 on Switch? Damn Neiteio, you sold me on this.
You can use that slam mechanic to score combo multipliers on all kinds of panels, by the way :-O
Also, your description — "F-Zero GX in rhythm game form" — is spot-on!
Sadly I don't own a PS4. Is the Steam version with a VR headset comparable to that? Not that I own one either
And before anyone who isn't Neiteio accuses me of drive-by shitposting, I've played Thumper on PS4 several times, PSVR included... which only exacerbated the issues I have with the game as described above. Remember, I'm not trying to say it sucks, I'm just explaining why it hasn't won me over like it has so many others.
Why would anyone accuse you of drive-by shitposting with an elaborate post like that lol. The fact you can appreciate the quality of the game despite not being to your tastes tells me you don't do that kind of posts.
Neiteio doing gods work lol.
Tom Nook Sawyer
Member
Nope. It doesn't really need any movement at all
Not room scale. You just sit down, put on the headset, grab your controller and enjoy the trip.
It also re-calibrates your head position automatically in-game so you don't have to worry about sitting at a sweet spot like some other games.
Absolutely. Switch runs at 1080p 60fps. Lacks chromatic aberration (which would be disabled in VR anyways). Switch also has an extra shader, and HD Rumble. Looks, sounds and plays great.
Yup. You can check the digital foundry vid, but differences are incredibly minor. You wouldn't know if you weren't looking
It looks the same.
Spukc
always chasing the next thrill
This music was mediocre at best.
Voez has way better music
Apocryphon
Member
Gonna pick this up for my Switch when it arrives on Wed
The Xtortionist
Member
The level 4 final boss W E W
Think I'm done for tonight. Right thumb is getting sore from holding down A. This game is wild.
Think I'm done for tonight. Right thumb is getting sore from holding down A. This game is wild.
The music gets better the better you play, because your actions add elements. For example, flying to hit rings and subsequently slamming the panel is wholly optional but racks up combo multipliers -and- sounds cool.
But ultimately, the music in Thumper is more a supplement to the gameplay and atmosphere than an attraction in itself.
But ultimately, the music in Thumper is more a supplement to the gameplay and atmosphere than an attraction in itself.
wild wild rice
Member
Thumping is the best mechanic.
chixdiggit
Member
Sold, looks cool.
Probably go with PC for the ultrawide and eventually I'll get a Vive.
Probably go with PC for the ultrawide and eventually I'll get a Vive.
You must be insanely good to have gotten that far already. :-O
ew no
And if it had Lucina and/or best squid sister Marie as the main character. But let's be reasonable here.
The Xtortionist
Member
Started getting a lot of Cs with level 3, but haven't really been stuck on any individual segment for very long. Difficulty feels very fair. Even when I die, I don't find myself relying on memorization on subsequent tries. The developer has a very good read on how long an obstacle should be on-screen before the player has to deal with it. Reminds me of Retro's DK games.
You're already around where I am (World 5, halfway through), and I've been playing since it came out (albeit only an hour or so at a time). I really struggle in some parts, but I still love it. <3
Glad you've taken to it so well!