Klang 2 [Nintendo Switch] | REVIEW

I’ll always try out a cool-looking rhythm game, especially when it does something that feels a little different. That’s certainly the case in Klang 2, where players launch around hypnotising arenas as they smash up varied targets to the beats of electronic dance music. It makes for a fun experience and one that manages to get a satisfying balance of simplicity and difficulty.

Check out a gallery of screenshots down below:

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Klang 2 has a story that features beings known as ‘rave warriors’ and a powerful weapon known as the Tuneblade, but if I’m being honest, I didn’t really pay much attention to it. It was just a little weird and it didn’t really resonate with me, especially since I hadn’t played the first game where I’m assuming some of the ideas behind the tale were initially introduced. It’s not that anything is outright bad and it’s cool that the developer integrated some narrative behind the rhythm-action… it just felt a bit too strange and convoluted for me to get invested in.

Fortunately, the rhythm-based action offered more than enough to keep me entertained. Players find themselves in the centre of the screen and armed with their Tuneblade, with different targets appearing that they have to aim towards with the left stick and then perform the corresponding actions to destroy. These targets come in different varieties too, with some requiring just a well-timed button press, some requiring the player hold down the button, and others requiring a shift of the left analogue stick to line up arrows as they strike. It’s similar to the sort of things you’d have seen in other rhythm games really, albeit with a more action-orientated twist.

Your character will move around as they dash towards targets though, which means you’ve ALWAYS got to be aware of your position in order to ensure that you’re aiming in the right direction. It adds a heck of a lot more challenge to the experience, especially since rhythm games often put players in a comfortable position where they’ve just got to watch notes appearing on the screen – in Klang 2, you’ve also got to watch your OWN movement.

“Whilst tricky though, it never feels unfair, with the difficulty of Klang 2 ensuring that completing levels always feels rewarding and that failures will keep players coming back for that ‘one more try’.”

It makes for a really neat gameplay loop that’s both addictive and challenging, with the constant array of targets that appear really keeping the player on their toes. The fact that they’re always alternating will throw players into a spin too, especially since they demand different actions to destroy. Whilst tricky though, it never feels unfair, with the difficulty of Klang 2 ensuring that completing levels always feels rewarding and that failures will keep players coming back for that ‘one more try’. There are boss encounters that change up the flow of the gameplay too, so there’s extra elements of variety to be found outside of busting-beats with your Tuneblade.

My only real issue is that the screen could get overly busy at times, making it hard to keep up with the action. There were a few times where I failed purely because I couldn’t keep track of what was going on, with the pace of the game proving a little bit too frantic on occasions. I told you, it’s a tough game.

Audio-wise, Klang 2 features a soundtrack that I wouldn’t normally listen to, but it was still fun to play along to and suited the psychedelic vibe of the game perfectly. Fans of electronic dance music will certainly appreciate it the most, with the pulsating beats from the variety of artists including bLiNd, Nhato, Steven Silo, cYsmix, and more offering plenty of catchy tunes to complement the manic gameplay.

The only problem is that because I’m not really a fan of the genre, there weren’t many songs that tempted me to come back and replay levels. I’m a sucker for a rhythm game and will often return to play through some of my favourite tracks (I’ve spent hundred of hours with the likes of Guitar Hero and Rock Band in the past), but nothing in Klang 2 made me want to constantly replay it. Of course, this is more of a personal issue and not something that made the game or the soundtrack feel bad in any way, but it did hurt the replay value for me – especially after I was done playing through the main campaign.

“The screen will be bursting with colour during some of the more action-packed songs, whilst the vivid imagery adds a slick and surreal futuristic vibe to the surroundings.”

I did really enjoy playing through the game whilst it lasted though, whilst the neon-lit visuals were really striking and complemented all of the action. The screen will be bursting with colour during some of the more action-packed songs, whilst the vivid imagery adds a slick and surreal futuristic vibe to the surroundings. I spent most of my time playing in handheld mode on my Nintendo Switch and it looked really sharp with no performance or latency issues too, so it’s definitely a good way to experience the beat-busting action of the game.

Developer: Tinimations, Ratalaika Games
Publisher: Tinimations, Ratalaika Games
Platform(s): Nintendo Switch (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Website: https://tinimations.net/