Aaero

Strap on some cans, turn the volume up to 11, and you’ll quickly find out how much satisfaction can be found with the visual and audio masterpiece that Aaero is.

One of the most visually and auditorily exciting games I have ever played, Aaero provides such an exciting sensory experience that I would recommend it to everyone, despite occasional frustrations and hiccups along the way.

A successful mix of rhythm games and Rez-like rail shooters, adorned by a memorable EDM soundtrack, resulting in an exciting gameplay experience.

It goes without saying that Aaero is something that shouldn’t be slept on. While it may not have the big budget or heavy advertising of something like Rock Band or Guitar Hero, it’s a very impressive, engaging and standout addition to the music genre. One that I sincerely hope will end up receiving the appreciation it deserves, as well as an even longer sequel.

Take a pinch of Rez, add a helping of Gitaroo-Man, serve with loads of electronic beats and fascinating visuals and you get a quite interesting rhythm game. With more content and better balancing this could easily play in the same league as Amplitude or Thumper.

Aaero is a wonderful introduction to the varied world of EDM with each level being a beautiful visual representation of the song being featured. Its greatest misstep is the smaller selections of songs available which prevent the game from being more than an introduction to the genre. Gaining mastery over a song evokes a sense of accomplishment that is unfelt in most other music games, in large part, due to the way Mad Fellows captures the sense of EDM. Unfortunately, the lack of customization options make return trips to the game less likely, but even those with no familiarity with EDM should make at least one trip to check out Aaero.

Aaero is a new beginning for rhythm action games, as it draws on the genre’s past strengths and makes them its own. It has a different outlook – completionists may balk at the improbability of a ‘perfect’ run – but equally that could make it all the more alluring to those looking for a true score attack experience that doesn’t give up its wares so easily. Aaero’s setting may be apocalyptic, but its outlook is full of hope for a genre that still deserves its place in the here and now.