PGC NEWS

BPM: Bullets Per Minute blends the familiar rogue-lite dungeon crawler with a unique twist: rhythm-based gameplay. If you’re tired of the same old dungeon crawling formula, this game offers a refreshingly different experience. But does this unique combination work? Let’s dive in.

A Dance of Death

BPM: Bullets Per Minute seems simple at first glance. Run, shoot, jump, dodge, reload. But there’s a catch: every action must be performed on the beat of the driving heavy metal soundtrack. The game operates on a 4/4 time signature, meaning every shot, reload, and dodge needs to be timed perfectly. Different weapons have unique rhythmic patterns, adding another layer of complexity. For example, the six-shooter requires a wind-up before unleashing a devastating volley, while the powerful shotgun demands a manual reload between beats.

alt text: Gameplay screenshot of BPM: Bullets per Minute showing the player character firing a weapon in a rock-themed environment.

While this mechanic might sound complicated and even frustrating, there’s immense satisfaction in syncing your movements to the music. Successfully navigating encounters feels like a deadly ballet, transforming the player into a rhythmic engine of destruction. The learning curve can be steep, but once mastered, BPM’s gameplay becomes incredibly addictive.

The rhythm-based gameplay also enhances the impact of the weapons. Each shot and reload not only has satisfying sound effects and visual feedback but also fits perfectly within the musical framework. This adds weight and significance to every action, creating a truly immersive experience.

Players battle through ten procedurally generated levels of hell, each culminating in a unique boss fight. The bosses themselves adhere to the rhythmic gameplay, making these encounters engaging and challenging despite their somewhat limited move sets.

alt text: Gameplay screenshot of BPM: Bullets per Minute showcasing the player character fighting a demon in a brightly lit environment.

As a rogue-lite, each run offers different weapon and ability combinations, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging. This encourages thorough exploration to unlock the full potential of the various upgrades and advantages hidden within each level.

alt text: Gameplay screenshot of BPM: Bullets per Minute showing the player character exploring a dungeon-like environment.

A Visual Assault

While the gameplay is innovative and engaging, BPM’s visuals can be a significant barrier to entry. Each of the ten levels features a distinct monochromatic color palette, resulting in high contrast and often jarring visuals. This stylistic choice might initially seem interesting, but it quickly becomes problematic, making items difficult to distinguish and causing eye strain. Some color choices, like the pale yellow of level 3 or the dull blue of level 6, are particularly unappealing. Coupled with the repetitive enemy and environment designs, it’s hard to remember much about the game’s visuals beyond the soundtrack.

alt text: Gameplay screenshot from BPM: Bullets Per Minute demonstrating the game's high-contrast, monochromatic visuals in a yellow-themed level.

Inconsistent Pacing

BPM’s procedurally generated levels also suffer from inconsistency. While randomization adds replayability, the level generation can result in levels that are too long, too short, or have awkward enemy placement. This can lead to frustrating situations where players get stuck on the first level or struggle against bosses due to unfair enemy spawns. Such inconsistencies can easily discourage players, especially early on.

alt text: Screenshot from BPM: Bullets Per Minute displaying the game's monochromatic visual style, this time with a blue color scheme.

Conclusion

BPM: Bullets Per Minute offers a unique and exhilarating experience that successfully blends rhythm and FPS gameplay. The soundtrack is fantastic, and the core mechanics are incredibly satisfying to master. However, the jarring visuals and inconsistent level design can detract from the overall experience. If you can overcome these hurdles, you’ll find a rewarding and addictive rogue-lite that offers a fresh take on the genre.

Game Information

• Developer: Awe Interactive
• Publisher: Awe Interactive
• Genre: Action, Rhythm
• Release Date: September 15, 2020
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One

Minimum System Requirements

• OS: Windows® 7 / Windows® 8.1 / Windows® 10 64-bit
• CPU: Intel Core i5-4590
• RAM: 8GB
• GPU: GTX 960 2GB or equivalent.
• Storage: 20GB

Tested System Configuration

• OS: Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
• CPU: Intel i9-9750HQ
• RAM: 16 GB
• GPU: Nvidia RTX 2060
• Storage: Samsung SSD 850 EVO 250GB