Unbeatable

Unbeatable suffers from an identity crisis, pairing a decent arcade mode with an uneven story mode that buries its rhythm gameplay beneath a bit too much padding.

Ultimately, what do I score a game like Unbeatable that has such observable problems but some of the most heart-pumping emotional resonance I’ve experienced in games throughout this entire year? What cute, little video game review cliche can I lean on to help me out of this predicament? D-Cell itself offered a cheeky, little take at how review scores can be perceived, and I figure why not send that ball back over the net? I was thinking a seven at first, but Sonic Adventure 2’s problems are way more frustrating than Unbeatable’s. And I am a little shy as a person. So let’s go with that.

Unbeatable is a classic example of a completely broken and raw game labeled "not for everyone". There is a glimpse of style in it, but it is buried under a mountain of flaws.

Combining a full narrative adventure with Rhythm-based gameplay is not something most would think about doing. D-Cell Games somehow accomplished this with a fantastic soundtrack, intriguing characters, and an animated flair that's unlike anything else. The imperfections are certainly there with an over-reliance on exploration, jarring narrative elements, and some of the gameplay issues. But the game as a whole, nails the positives so well that it's well worth pushing through to experience in its entirety

In UNBEATABLE you will have to follow an alternative rock band that rebels in a world where music is forbidden and where rhythm will be your most powerful ammunition

UNBEATABLE takes a simple two-button rhythm system and builds its entire experience around mastering patterns and timing. Arcade mode lets you focus purely on the songs, pushing for cleaner runs and higher difficulties, while story mode slows things down with longer stretches between musical moments. The rhythm gameplay stays satisfying as it ramps up, and the game’s visual style holds everything together. If you’re here for a focused rhythm experience and don’t mind a slower story pace, UNBEATABLE delivers where it counts.

UNBEATABLE is far from a perfect game, but it excels in the areas that are important.

Unbeatable brings so much flavour and distinct personality to what is inherently such a simple game at its core that it's hard to dislike. If you're still on the fence, a demo is available as well as the White Label demo from 2021. The latter lacks a lot of the final product's visual polish, but will still give you the exact feel of what to expect from the final game's mechanics and narrative style.

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The totality of the messaging in UNBEATBLE does come out a bit saccharine. Themes about love, support, and forgiveness are pervasive. Yet, at least for the moment, I can’t help but feel that sweetness myself. The feeling that, if I simply accept the love and care thrown my way, we really can band together and become unbeatable.