Retro/Grade

Overall, Retro/Grade is a wholly unique experience in both genres that it represents, and is well worth your time. If you have any interest in rhythm games or shoot 'em ups, you should do yourself a favor and check this out.

Fresh, funky, and super fun. [Nov 2012, p.82]

Retro/Grade is a stunning take on both the rhythm and the space shooter genres – both of which haven't had much innovation in recent years. With solid mechanics, fun gameplay and excellent presentation, this could just be the best, and certainly the most unique, downloadable game this year.

As far as rhythm games go, Retro/Grade is up there with the best.

An experiment in the combination of two drastically different genres, Retro/Grade hits its mark.

A clever twist on rhythm-style games featuring all that the retro scene has to offer.

You definitely won't find anything else like Retro/Grade on PSN, so if you're a fan of either genre (schmup or rhythm), definitely download the demo and give it a fair shot as you should find that you will be intrigued and drawn to its premise and gameplay elements that you will want buy the full game.

The rhythm genre isn't dead, it just got better with lasers. [November 2012, p79]

It's easy to get sucked in. [Nov 2012, p.119]

Retro/Grade is a novel game with a great concept and great execution but suffers from an unfortunate pitfall.

Retro/Grade is a weird but admirable attempt to rekindle the popularity of a genre that has fallen out of favor. Though its timing may be off, fans of games like Amplitude and Guitar shouldn't overlook this one.

Whether you're a fan of shooters, rhythm games or are just looking for a breath of fresh air, PlayStation 3 owners would do well to take Retro/Grade for a spin around space and time.

If you're looking for an innovative take on the rhythm genre, Retro/Grade is your jam.

For a $10 PSN game, Retro/Grade offers a unique, albeit short, experience that you won't find anywhere else.

Retro/Grade is a fresh take on a stale genre. If you ever loved those types of games I recommend checking out this unique PSN gem. For the price of admission you certainly can't go wrong, and hopefully we get some expansive DLC in the future to go back for more.

The very first guitar/shooter game available on the console is fun to play and very enjoyable.

It's rare that you come across a game that dares to blend two such disparate genres, let alone one that does so expertly.

Despite all the insanity around the concept – and aside from all the weird "challenge mode" variants, unlockable ships, cute level descriptions, and all the other quirk – Retro/Grade is a well-designed music game with a completely original soundtrack. And that's as rare as a backwards shmup these days.

The folks at 24 Carat Games apparently spent their nights dreaming of slamming Guitar Hero against a side scrolling shoot 'em up because that's exactly what they ended up making with Retro/Grade. And it's delicious.

Those who have never heard of Retro/Grade will be surprised when the end credits roll a mere seconds after starting the game. You have to interpret the Retro in Retro/Grade quite literally. Thus the game start with you fighting the final boss. [October 2012, p.79]

Retro/Grade is an atypical and fun rhythm game. Unfortunately, the limited number of sound tracks does not allow it to reach more positive judgement.

It doesn't have the charm of PaRappa, the hummable tracklist of Gitaroo Man, or the addictive quality of Elite Beat Agents, but it's a nice shot in the arm for a genre that has grown stagnant.

The problem is that I didn't play it for that long. Ten tracks just isn't enough to carry a rhythm game, even an eight-dollar one. The replay value is just so depressingly low.

A briefly mesmerizing trip backwards through sonic space that never quite coalesces into an essential purchase. [Nov 2012, p.64]

If you're sick of the same old formulas and you're open to some indie eccentricity, Retro/Grade is just the trippy time-sink you've been looking for – and it'll finally give your dusty plastic guitars a use past Rock Band and Guitar Hero.

Retro/Grade succeeds at bringing a fresh take to the rhythm genre and filling it with sensory pleasures, but a lack of music means it outstays its welcome sooner rather than later.

The core gameplay is smart and the music is catchy, but Retro/Grade feels spread thin everywhere else.

Only problem is that novelty doesn't make the game concept really workable, and thus you get a jumble of mechanics that partially invalidate themselves.

Lovingly assembled and enjoyable while it lasts, Retro/Grade is ultimately too meagre a package to be fully recommended. Rhythm game fans will get some mileage out of its solid gameplay and its unique wrapper helps the basic rhythm gameplay feel new, but unless you really fall in love with the presentation, it's tough to see anyone playing it more than a couple hours and essentially playing (and hearing) everything it truly has to offer long before the challenges end.