Super Crazy Rhythm Castle -[Solo Experience]-Two Minute Review!

Free from Epic games Sep12th-19th
Title: Super Crazy Rhythm Castle
Summary: It's Super Crazy Rhythm Castle, the chaotic rhythm adventure! A puzzling co-op mashup unlike anything you've ever heard -- work together to think outside the box while keeping your combo. Solo, or with a band of up to three friends... Can you conquer the castle?
Released On: Nov 14, 2023
Rating: Rated E +10 for Everyone +10
Developer: Second Impact Games
Publisher: Konami
Platforms: PS5, PC, Series S/X, Switch, PS4, Xbox One
Genres: Rhythm
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"Super-Crazy-Rhythm-Castle" merges a rhythm game with chaotic mini-games - taking the familiar "press-button-in-time-with-music" gameplay, and throwing in a load of additional distractions. Similar to party games such as Overcooked, you're constantly juggling objectives and managing your time - hopping between a standard rhythm game and carrying out a variety of random tasks.
The game itself is filled with life, and really nails the quirkiness and charm, but the jokes rarely land and the unskippable dialogue can drag. The music itself is fun and catchy, with clear beats that are easy to follow. Timing for short notes is forgiving, but releasing long notes slightly too early is punished. The game offers two difficulty settings, with the harder one adding a fourth lane and more complex patterns, but even on regular the game can be very challenging. There's also plenty of variation in the distractions across the six hour campaign.
Unfortunately, Super Crazy Rhythm Castle can feel unbalanced when played solo. It’s clearly designed as a party game, and the overwhelming number of distractions often become frustrating when playing alone. Even on regular difficulty, having to do everything means it’s easy to lose focus and miss cues. Further to this, some of the tasks feel pointless, serving more as cheap annoyances, rather than adding anything meaningful. Other tasks are ill-defined, or it's unclear how your time should be managed. The inevitable losses that come from the trial and error needed because of the lack of clarity compounds the frustrations.
Overall.. it's a well-made game, and fans of rhythm games or chaotic gameplay will appreciate the novelty it offers. However, unless you're looking for this specific experience, solo players may find it more of a frustrating and overwhelming trial, than an enjoyable challenge.