Beatbuddy HD Review

BeatBuddy HD is a rhythm game, but not in the way that you’d expect. It’s not a game about playing as a guitarist keeping up with the beat; instead, you’re keeping up with the beat in order to explore an undersea world in a bid to restore music to it. It can turn a little repetitive, but the musical score goes some way to keeping you interested.

Across 6 levels, each being reasonably lengthy, you control Beat as he works his way from blocked tunnel to tunnel, attempting to vanquish enemies and ultimately restore beautiful music to his world. Everything about BeatBuddy HD offers its own beat or sound - even enemies firing at you offer their own distinctive tones. This is a game where headphones are essential to truly enjoy it.

Floating around is a matter of tapping to direct Beat or using the virtual d-pad controls. The latter being slightly more comfortable in my experience. Spikes are a big issue, with the need to punch a switch before diving through them otherwise it’s game over. Fortunately, BeatBuddy HD doesn’t restrict how many new attempts you get, leading it to feel reasonably calming even when up against difficulties. You’ll be solving simple puzzles too, although these did eventually feel a little tedious compared to the simple exploration.

Other times you’ll be controlling a submarine, which utilizes the musical beats well. Hit the boost button at just the right moment along with the music and you go faster, proving particularly useful when trying to rush through an area.

It might not always reach the high notes, but BeatBuddy HD is really quite gorgeous. It sounds great and it looks great, plus it’s an excellent idea. Those components ensure that you’re much more willing to overlook a few dull puzzles in favor of the general experience.