Our protagonist is named Astrid, a teenager with aspirations of musical stardom. The narrative follows her journey from practicing air guitar in her bedroom to performing her first gig, and ultimately, pursuing her dream of becoming a rock star. Interspersed between the songs is a compelling story centered on themes of hope, ambition, setbacks, and disillusionment. Throughout this progression, players can unlock new guitars and outfits for Astrid, allowing for customization as she strives for her breakthrough.
Loud‘s core gameplay mechanic is reminiscent of titles like Guitar Hero and Boom Boom Rocket, requiring players to accurately time button presses with the musical cues. While the concept may appear straightforward, the execution presents a considerable challenge. Loud features stars originating from six distinct directions, demanding precise input using three buttons on each side of the controller. The game offers a visual aid by highlighting the path of the star closest to the optimal press point, but this assistance proves minimal given the rapid pace and simultaneous inputs required.
Initially, gameplay on the easiest difficulty setting appears manageable, however, the challenge ramps up significantly. Each song can be replayed as needed. I found that replaying earlier songs prior to attempting a particularly challenging one proved beneficial. Maintaining a sense of rhythm is paramount; losing sync can make it difficult to regain composure and timing.
I am generally a fan of rhythm-based games, and Loud delivers both engaging and challenging gameplay, creating a compelling “just-one-more-try” dynamic. The game’s seamless performance on the Switch’s built-in screen is also a significant advantage, facilitating portable play.
However, the game does have its drawbacks. The most significant issue with Loud is, somewhat ironically, the music itself. The soundtrack feels underdeveloped and reminiscent of royalty-free tracks. The prevalence of generic rock riffs detracts from the overall experience. Furthermore, Astrid’s character reactions can be problematic; her overly enthusiastic outbursts upon success and exaggerated expressions of frustration upon failure quickly become grating and unintentionally comical, sounding somewhat out of place during a performance.
In conclusion, I recommend Loud due to its substantial content offering relative to its price point. With 14 songs and three difficulty levels per song, the game provides numerous hours of entertainment for a minimal investment. So, consider supporting Astrid on her journey to stardom.
Qubic Games provided a review code for this evaluation. Content providers do not have editorial influence over our reviews.
