Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson

“Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson is far from perfect. The story is clichéd and one-note, and the combat lacks the necessary balance and depth to remain enjoyable, which is massively disappointing considering the core premise carries so much potential. That said, I still recommend giving [Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson] a try. The way it leverages music in its RPG and deckbuilder mechanics is so clever, and the environments are literally singing with charm. Ritual Studio’s inexperience may have been what holds this back from being a must-play title, but their dedication to creating a world bursting at the seams with the positive energy of music shines through, making Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson an enjoyable and worthwhile experience.”

“Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson rocks! The game has so much personality not only in its presentation, but its unique RPG mechanics. Its musical inspirations mesh with a battle system that shreds expectations and creates a fresh take on the genre.”

“Fretless is a fun experience! I enjoyed my time with the game and if you are a fan of musical based games and turn based RPGs, I believe you will also enjoy this hidden gem.”

“It has one of the most fun turn-based combat systems in recent years, which is slightly spoiled only by the short duration of the game. We are waiting for either an update with new content, or a completely new project from these developers - they have every chance of creating something truly groundbreaking someday”

“Fretless: Wrath of Riffson successfully blends RPG elements with musical gameplay, creating a unique and immersive experience. Players follow Rob, a young musician competing in a Battle of the Bands against the villainous Super Metal Records. The game features innovative, rhythmic card-based combat inspired by titles like Slay the Spire and Guitar Hero. Visually, it excels with detailed pixel art and fluid animations, accompanied by an outstanding soundtrack. Despite minor issues such as the lack of a New Game Plus mode and an initial slow progression, the game is highly engaging and creatively designed, offering depth and accessibility to both music enthusiasts and RPG fans alike.”

“Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson doesn't just play a song. It's asking you to help write it, one note and one fight at a time. This is a genre-bending tour de force that combines rhythm and RPG in a way that is genuinely new and unforgettable. Fretless will make you feel like a rock god if you love music and know how to plan.”

“Part Slay the Spire, part Paper Mario, Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson takes two genres and finds unique harmony between them. Sprinkle in a third inspiration — the music-rhythm gameplay of Guitar Hero — and you have all the makings of a really rad band. The final result has its issues: notably, a slew of bugs, some balancing issues, and an underwhelming ending. Still, Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson is a worthwhile play, and an admirable addition to the genres that inspired it.”

“Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson isn’t perfect. The puzzles are so simple that they feel like filler, and the story is cute, but it won’t stick with you like the music or combat will. If a player has trouble with timing, the rhythm mechanics might be a bit challenging for them, but the game is forgiving enough that it never becomes a significant issue.”

“Despite some disharmony, overall, I really enjoyed Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson. Yes, it’s a short burn, and yes, some minor issues held it back. But it’s still a charming, retro, GuitaR-PG with a lot of heart. If you’re in the mood for an epic Battle of the Bands with a likeable hometown hero, look no further!”

“Whether you love music or just adore turn-based RPGs, there’s something here for everyone. Fretless would have been an excellent game if it wasn’t this huge ode to music, but being what it is makes it even better.”

“This is a must-play for musicians that game, but I'd also wholeheartedly recommend it to the non-musicals as well.”

“Fretless struggles with the fundamentals.”

“I’m happy to say that what was delivered was an enjoyable experience with a lot of soul and love poured into it. Fretless is not the type of game to lock you in for hours on end, or change your life, but it shines in its environment and sound design. It’s a passion project turned into a downright fun experience.”

“The only reason we can not give it a perfect score is due to the game’s teleport mechanic not working properly on multiple occasions and that there is only one difficulty to play the game on; there were a few times where we had to relaunch the game because we would teleport and end up glitched outside of the map unable to get back in. We expect that this issue will be fixed in the near future, but until then, enjoy its ambitious performance.”

“Like any creative 4-chord song, Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson makes good on the promise of a turn-based RPG that melds a great tune with a stylish bassline. Also much like a 4-chord song, it quickly becomes easy to predict and master, lacking that extra depth to elevate it beyond its accessible design. Even so, it's hard not to play it without a smile on your face and an appreciation for its colourful visuals.”

“Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson features an adorable premise, great presentation, and most importantly, an amazing combat system. The latter is a godsend, as the game will somewhat force you to grind a bit on goons and menial enemies before you’re actually able to defeat its bosses, which act like borderline unfair roadblocks. Still, there’s no way I cannot recommend this game. It’s fun, it’s original, and it’s about defeating evil record label executives with your instrument-shaped weapons. How would I even be able to not like it?”

“As well as this the different cutscenes and story beats all felt on brand and enjoyable, I always knew what my objective was, and can’t recall any instances where the story began to feel stale. Progress was fast and the reward to effort ratio was fair. I began to find myself engrossed in the world and was genuinely sad when my play-through came to an end. I would have liked to have seen some more endgame content, or perhaps a new game plus, but this is more of a testament to how much I enjoyed the story, than a critique.”