With Headbangers, Glee-Cheese Studio and Team17 take us into the head of a pigeon. All with rhythm and music.
Before talking about this title, let me mention the development company of Headbangers: Battle Royale. Glee-Cheese Studio is an independent video game studio based in France. Their commitment is to develop innovative games with a strong artistic identity. Their debut title is A Musical Story, launched in 2022. The title is a musical game with a 70s flavor. From the psychedelic style and graphics we experience Gabriel’s story. Our protagonist tries to clarify what happened to him by using his musical memory.
Headbangers is their second title released on October 31, 2023. Originality, madness and music seem to be common themes for the development house. Let’s now talk about this interesting and fun title.
What is Headbangers?
First of all, Headbangers is a battle royale with a decidedly nonsense flavor where music is the main protagonist. 30 players will have to compete over 4 rounds, each with increasing difficulty. During the 4 rounds we should face a series of mini-games, each with its own unique musical touch. At the end of each round some players will be eliminated based on the score obtained, until the final round is reached. Only 5 will remain in the final clash to compete for the champion title.
Minigames, Rhythm and Reflexes
In Headbangers there are 23 minigames all with their own musical theme. Don’t think of the title as a real rhythm game, especially those of Japanese tradition. There will be no very difficult or difficult songs to perform, everything will have a player-friendly approach. Memory, rhythm and reflexes will be required, all seasoned with strong nonsense humor. We will be able to recognize the sound of some musical instruments before other players, play a musical memory game or sing classical music songs in choir. In other cases we will have to duel to the sound of rap and beat our opponent or play whack-a-mole.
Although 23 minigames are not few, the rhythmic-musical ideas can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Fortunately, the style of the minigames is so well done and original that this lack is not too noticeable. Furthermore, although not difficult, the minigames become faster and more exciting and even fun as time passes.
The music chosen is beautiful, engaging and really well constructed. They help you immerse yourself in that atmosphere of nonsense that permeates the entire game. Maybe just some weak sound effects during some memory games. Nothing that ruins the game though.
Also during the rounds there will be packages that cross the screen. The fastest player will be able to take it to obtain bonuses, special conditions and penalties. These too are always in line with the philosophy of the game.
We are a Pigeon
Well yes! Our avatar is a pigeon. We can move our neck in all directions, make strange noises and go to battle with our customizable outfit. In fact, the game has a large amount of cosmetic items which include costumes, accessories and emotes. Some are unlocked by leveling up thanks to the experience points taken after each round, others by completing challenges and others by purchasing them. The game currency is slices of bread that we can obtain with the progress made in the season. How will you dress? A T-Rex, pear or Scotsman costume? there is something for all tastes.
My Two Cents
Headbangers is definitely a fun, well edited and completely out of mind title. The very idea of a musical Battle Royal with pigeons already puts you in the right mood. The minigames are very accessible but become frenetic as the rounds go by and the light-hearted mood puts you in a good mood even when you lose. The cross platform solution is excellent, so as to be able to involve a greater number of players. Regarding this, I noticed that unfortunately it didn’t often happen to me to be among 30 real people, because when the time ran out in the pre-match hub, the game adds bots to complete the session. The game is stimulating and fun especially if played with friends, it’s a shame there isn’t also an offline training mode. Headbangers: Rhythm Royale is definitely original and one of a kind. A nonsense fun that takes little time while hoping for constant support from the developers.
“Headbangers is definitely a fun, well-edited and completely crazy title. The minigames are very accessible but become frenetic as the rounds go by and the light-hearted mood puts you in a good mood even when you lose. The cross platform solution is excellent, so as to be able to involve a greater number of players. Regarding this, I noticed that unfortunately it didn’t often happen to me to be among 30 real people, because when the time ran out in the pre-match hub, the game adds bots to complete the session.”
- The music is beautiful, engaging and really well constructed
- Good graphic and style
- Easy and engaging minigames
- The rhythmic-musical ideas can be counted on the fingers of one hand
- Sometime eccesive Bot presence
7.7/10
I’m a musician (pianist), a nerd and a longtime manga lover.
My gamer life started with a copy of Pitfall (1982) for Atari 2600, and so I grew up hand to hand with this medium until now. Later I started to look for what’s behind the final product, its design and what happens behind the scenes of the video game world.
