Rift of the NecroDancer

Rift of the NecroDancer is a rhythm game that has the player press specific buttons in time with the music. The player controls Cadence, the returning protagonist from Crypt of the NecroDancer, as she progresses through a series of stages in three different game modes. In the main game mode "rhythm rift" enemies advance towards Cadence down three lanes, and the player must press the corresponding button for each lane when an enemy reaches the front. Different enemy types have different behaviors such as moving between lanes, or requiring multiple button presses to defeat. If the player fails to defeat an enemy, Cadence will lose health, and the stage is failed if her health reaches zero. The player can collect food items during stages which restores some of Cadence's lost health. The game also contains minigame stages heavily inspired by Rhythm Heaven. Like the other modes, the player must press buttons in time with the music, but each mini game has a different setting and rules, such as Cadence needing to pose at the correct time during a yoga class. The game's story mode has players progress through stages in a linear order, with story cutscenes in-between gameplay sections. Players can alternatively select individual stages from the menu and choose to play on one of four difficulty levels. There is also a practice mode where players can practice stages without a failure state. The game also allows players to create custom stages using outside music, and share their creations with other players via Steam Workshop. ==Development==

Rift of the NecroDancer was first revealed on August 4, 2022, alongside a trailer for the Crypt of the NecroDancer: Synchrony DLC. A gameplay trailer announcing a Windows release was later posted on August 24, 2022. A Nintendo Switch version was also confirmed during the April 2023 Nintendo Indie World Showcase targeting a 2023 release date. One month later Brace Yourself Games laid off 50% of its staff, but confirmed that development of Rift of the NecroDancer would continue. In August 2023, Brace Yourself Games announced the game would be delayed to 2024 and also be published by Klei Entertainment. In November 2024, the release was delayed again, with the Windows version releasing on February 5, 2025. The Nintendo Switch version would release a month later on March 27, 2025, after the Nintendo Direct on the same day. The game has received various free and paid updates utilizing characters and music from other intellectual properties. Other than collaborations with other intellectual properties, the game received an update on October 2025 to add profile customization and unlockables. ==Reception==

Rift of the NecroDancer received an 79/100 aggregate review score on Metacritic, indicating "generally favorable" reviews. Charlie Wacholz of IGN described the game as a "Greatest Hits box set for rhythm games," praising the different game modes inspired by various other rhythm games, but noted that the variety results in a game that is "missing a sense of cohesion at times." RPGamers Ryan Costa also enjoyed the gameplay, but felt the game had some difficulty balance issues, and commented that extended play sessions and the higher difficulty levels were "physically punishing." Ronald Ingram of Nintendo Life also criticized its difficulty, claiming that the harder difficulties "became a step too far" in the latter half of the game, but praised the medium difficulty as leading to "in-the-zone play". Lucas White of Shacknews criticized the lack of any RPG elements compared to Crypt of the NecroDancer. Reviewing the game on Nintendo Switch, Willem Hilhorst of Nintendo World Report wrote the control options are unsatisfactory, feeling that the Joy-Cons directional buttons combined with the game requiring fast inputs made the game unforgiving. Many reviewers compared the game's various modes to games such as Guitar Hero, Rhythm Heaven and Punch-Out. Reviewers praised the game's soundtrack, noting its use of multiple composers across a variety of music genres. Awards ==References==