Let’s kick off with Just Shapes & Beats by Berzerk Studio. Berzerk Studio is a small indie team from Trondheim, Norway. Besides this game, they also released Alright Johnny back in 2017. Even better, the publisher—Berzerk Studio—handled everything from start to finish. That kind of hands-on work really shows—I love that level of consistency.
I agree. In particular, they licensed tracks from over 20 chiptune and EDM artists. I’ve heard they even run community music jams in Norway every year to discover new talent. As you might expect, that effort shows in every beat. It’s both retro and fresh—each song picked to boost the game’s energy.
From a technical side, the game runs on the Unity engine with FMOD for audio. Together, these tools keep the music and gameplay locked in sync. Bullet patterns match the music down to the frame. Because of this, the game feels natural to play—even during chaotic scenes. That’s especially true for players who rely on sound cues.
Berzerk launched the game on both PC and Nintendo Switch. Impressively, it runs at 60 FPS on both. I noticed a 70% spike in concurrent Steam players on launch day. Clearly, that shows how well-optimized it is—whether you play docked or handheld.
All in all, Just Shapes & Beats is a chaotic co-op bullet-hell done right. With over 48 handcrafted stages and easy drop-in drop-out co-op, it feels smooth and complete. I hunted down every secret Playlist track and earned every achievement. Whether you play solo or with others, the local and online multiplayer modes make it great for couch parties or leaderboard showdowns.
One Steam user said it felt like “a breath of fresh air” after games like Undertale and Hollow Knight. I totally agree. The visuals and music-timed moments keep you alert. Even though the genre is different, fans of emotional indie games will still enjoy the style and mood here.
I really focused on the controls. You move your shape with the arrow keys and dodge with Shift. Since it’s so simple, it fits bullet-hell gameplay perfectly—and even adds a rhythm twist. Because of the easy inputs, the real challenge comes from timing and awareness.
For speedruns, I stick with Playlist mode. Interestingly, it helped me cut ten seconds from my best time. Even short runs stay steady thanks to custom practice tools. On top of that, smart checkpoints make this a great choice for rhythm-based runners who want to improve.
The story mode tells its tale through animated scenes. According to Berzerk Studio, they wanted players to feel a shape rebellion—but without using lots of words. I paid close attention to every transition. Through this choice, they tell the story with visuals, light, color, and sound instead of talking.
Even though there’s little dialogue, the world feels alive thanks to colorful backgrounds. More importantly, there’s no text—just music and motion. Each boss acts like a character. Each level builds toward a bigger musical journey.
The game’s short lines and quick pacing keep everything moving. Because of that, you’re never stuck between levels. I really appreciate that. It reinforces the focus on rhythm and flow—not long story breaks.
No lengthy scenes means I can restart quickly. After all, every second matters in speedrunning. This skip-friendly design works well for players chasing fast times.
Visually, every level pops with its own color theme. They used vector art and lighting tricks for that glowing look. Even better, I never saw any lag. The bright contrast makes bullets easy to spot—which is key for a fast-action game.
It reminds me of Geometry Wars and Rez. The glowing particles and shapes blend into cool visuals. Also, every time I replay, I notice something new. That level of detail rewards both casual players and hardcore fans.
The game’s simple, high-contrast look keeps everything smooth. Even during boss fights, the frame rate stays solid. A steady 60 FPS means your controls stay sharp—especially when dodging tightly.
Optimization shines. I tested with 200 bullets on screen. No stutter, no frame drops. Clearly, that level of performance under pressure is essential in modern rhythm shooters.
The soundtrack rocks. Tracks from Nitro Fun, Drumcorps, and China Maine deliver eargasm moments. One user review even wrote, “Amazing what an amazing game you can make with just shapes and beats!” Undoubtedly, every track adds to a sense of journey—building tension and release across stages like a DJ-crafted setlist.
Sound effects sync perfectly with every dodge and hit. Each bass drop signals a new wave of bullets. The integration between audio cues and enemy behavior becomes instinctive, improving reflex-based play.
That deep audio-game link teaches you timing windows by ear. I mastered tricky sections faster because of that design. Effectively, you learn to anticipate not by visuals alone, but by beats—almost like playing an instrument.
I wear studio headphones to catch subtle tempo shifts. That trims precious milliseconds off my splits. Therefore, immersive audio makes high-level play a sensory experience. Details like reverb trails and tempo changes offer performance cues.
Characters here are shapes, but they still feel like avatars. You choose your color, outline, and face icon. That tiny customization feels personal. Consequently, it’s abstract enough for universal appeal but personal enough for expression, ideal for all age groups.
I love that low-barrier customization. It keeps the focus on gameplay, not lore or backstory. It’s inclusive and fun. Perfectly suited for accessibility—no narrative gatekeeping, just instant connection and joy.
Each shape sports a unique trail color. That helps me track my hitbox in crowded bullet storms. As a result, visual clarity aids performance, especially in 4-player co-op where chaos is constant.
I pick smaller shapes for narrow corridors. That tiny edge makes a big difference on leaderboard runs. Indeed, subtle strategic tweaks like this add depth without overwhelming new players.
Difficulty runs from Casual Mode to hardcore Challenge Runs. I earned all collectibles and achievements on every mode. In short, scalability makes it perfect for beginners and bullet-hell veterans alike.
A few users mentioned a spike at stage 25. I hit it too, but practice and Playlist drills helped me overcome it. That spike functions as a skill-check moment and keeps the late game tense and satisfying.
The ramp is smart. It stays easy to learn, then packs a punch. That “easy to learn, hard to master” loop works well here. Therefore, it’s ideal design for retention—players stay engaged long after initial discovery.
I set personal goals per stage. Hard mode unlocked after I hit silver ranks on all mid-levels. Not only that, achievement-based progression motivates improvement and invites mastery without frustration.
Replay value feels huge. You unlock new cosmetic shapes, Playlist tracks, and global leaderboards. It keeps me coming back. Simply put, a strong endgame loop supports replay sessions, speedruns, and leaderboard rivalries.
I discovered hidden remix stages after ten hours. Those secret levels reward explorers. Clearly, exploration pays off, appealing to completionists and fans of unlockable content.
Comparing to Crypt of the NecroDancer or Geometry Dash, Just Shapes & Beats nails the fusion of audio and action. While others lean on precision timing or roguelike structures, by contrast, this game’s fluidity is its standout trait.
Leaderboards fuel my next attempts. I beat a friend’s Stage 7 time by 0.3 seconds yesterday. For that reason, real-time scoreboards make every stage feel like a mini-tournament.
In conclusion, Berzerk Studio pushed bullet-hell into musical territory and nailed co-op. Few games achieve this level of synergy between music, visuals, and multiplayer mechanics.
It stands out as a vibrant party game that still challenges solo players. Whether you’re a rhythm junkie or a casual player, it hits the sweet spot.
Just Shapes & Beats blends precise controls, dynamic audio, and slick visuals into a fresh formula. Truly, a masterclass in game-feel—every element supports the core concept beautifully.
It redefines rhythm speedruns. Every practice session translates directly into faster runs. Without a doubt, it’s become a staple in the audio-action speedrun scene for good reason.
Looking for rhythm-based action games that blend challenge with music? If so, here are five standout titles that hit all the right notes. Crypt of the NecroDancer combines roguelike dungeon crawling with rhythmic combat—every step and attack syncs to the beat. Geometry Dash tests your reflexes with fast-paced jump-and-fly sequences across player-generated levels. For those craving a more visceral experience, Thumper dubs itself “rhythm violence,” putting you on a space beetle’s high-speed path through a trippy world of pounding beats and brutal obstacles. AudioSurf 2 lets you transform your own music library into custom racetracks, where every note shapes the course and gameplay. Lastly, for an immersive VR challenge, Beat Saber has you slice through beats with lightsabers to energizing soundtracks, offering a full-body rhythm workout. These games deliver pulse-pounding fun and are perfect for fans of music-infused gameplay.
