PGC NEWS

The platformer genre, a cornerstone of gaming history, continues to hold a special place in the hearts of players worldwide. While modern gaming trends lean towards action RPGs, shooters, and other high-octane experiences, the inherent challenge and evolving mechanics of platformers maintain a dedicated following. NIS America’s Mad Rat Dead attempts to carve its own niche by fusing platforming with rhythm-based gameplay, a combination with significant potential. This review explores the unique gameplay loop of Mad Rat Dead, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.

Grooving to the Beat: Engaging Gameplay

Mad Rat Dead casts players as a lab rat resurrected by the Rat God for one final day of life. Each level unfolds as a platforming challenge, demanding precise jumps, dashes, and wall bounces to navigate a series of obstacles. The core mechanics are familiar to platformer veterans, offering a comfortable starting point.

Mad Rat Dead gameplay

However, Mad Rat Dead adds a unique twist. The resurrected rat’s actions are tied to its heartbeat, requiring players to synchronize their movements with the rhythm of the music. This rhythm-based gameplay, reminiscent of Crypt of the Necrodancer, is visualized through a beat bar, adding a layer of musicality to the platforming action. The catchy soundtrack motivates players to overcome the challenge of matching inputs with the beat. Executing precise platforming maneuvers while staying on beat adds a compelling and rewarding layer of complexity to the gameplay.

Mad Rat Dead rhythm mechanics

A Few Sour Notes: Control and Design Issues

While the core concept is intriguing, Mad Rat Dead stumbles in its execution. The marriage of rhythm and platforming, while novel, creates inherent control issues. Precision platformers, such as Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, demand absolute freedom of control. Even the slightest misstep can lead to failure, requiring repeated attempts to master intricate sequences.

Mad Rat Dead level design

The rhythmic constraint in Mad Rat Dead hampers this freedom, preventing the fluid movement crucial for complex platforming challenges. The need to time every action with the beat introduces a psychological barrier, discouraging experimentation and the exhilarating feeling of mastering intricate combos.

Mad Rat Dead controls

Furthermore, the level design fails to capitalize on the game’s unique premise. The layouts lack the intricate twists, turns, and hidden paths that define truly challenging platformers. Even games like Super Mario Maker 2 offer more complex and engaging level design. The low penalty for failure, a stark contrast to the unforgiving nature of classic platformers, further diminishes the sense of accomplishment.

Mad Rat Dead lack of complex level design

Conclusion: A Missed Opportunity?

Mad Rat Dead presents a fresh and innovative concept, but its execution falls short of its potential. The rhythmic gameplay, while intriguing, clashes with the core principles of platforming. The restrictive controls and underwhelming level design prevent the game from reaching the heights of its genre contemporaries. While the soundtrack and core concept offer glimpses of brilliance, the overall experience is hampered by its inherent design flaws.