‘A Musical Story’ is a rhythm game set against a 70s backdrop. Explore the memories of Gabriel, a young man trying to come to terms with his situation through the connections to his musical memory.
The gameplay revolves around a "call and response" loop. The game plays a short musical phrase, and players must then repeat that phrase by pressing the left or right arrow keys (or controller buttons) in time with the music. This core rhythm-based mechanic forms the foundation of the experience.
The difficulty ramps up steadily throughout the game. Early levels provide extra repetitions of the musical phrases to help players establish the rhythm. However, later segments feature more complex, longer sequences with less repetition, requiring players to truly internalize the underlying rhythms.
The game includes an "assist" mode that displays additional visual cues to help players keep time with the music. This adaptive difficulty system prevents the gameplay from becoming too frustrating, allowing players of varying skill levels to progress through the experience.
The true challenge lies in perfecting each musical segment. To achieve a perfect rating on a level, players must precisely replicate the phrase without any mistakes. Accomplishing this unlocks a hidden final chapter for those dedicated enough to complete the game flawlessly.
Reviewers have noted that the rhythm gameplay is the core focus, with the music and visuals serving to enhance the emotional impact. The game requires players to develop a deep understanding of the rhythmic foundations, going beyond simple button-pressing to truly internalize the musical structures.
The game uses a simple two-button control scheme, with players pressing left, right, or both buttons to correspond with the musical notes. Reviewers recommend playing with a controller, as the button inputs feel more natural and responsive compared to using a keyboard.