What has 50 amazing chiptune tracks, a loony story mode, 32 different chicken types to fight, and takes you on a tour of all your favorite retro games? It's Old School Musical! Tib and Rob are the heroes of a wacky adventure that will teach them where all of the bugs in our favorite games come from.
Players must tap the correct directional buttons (up, down, left, right) in time with the approaching notes that converge at the center of the screen. This gameplay, reminiscent of classics like Beatmania and DDR, provides a highly satisfying rhythm experience. Reviewers praise the responsiveness of the controls and the well-suited chiptune soundtrack, with many describing the music as "bangers" and "eargasms."
The game offers three difficulty settings to accommodate players of all skill levels. The Easy mode allows newcomers to grasp the fundamentals, while the Difficult mode pushes experienced rhythm gamers to their limits, with some levels described as "brutal" and requiring lightning-fast reflexes. Beyond the main difficulties, the Arcade mode and post-game "Chicken Republic" add further layers of challenge through visual effects and modifiers that can trip up even the most seasoned players.
While the rhythm gameplay takes center stage, the game also features a quirky, humorous story mode that transports players through a retro-themed adventure. Although the narrative is relatively simple, it effectively provides context and personality to the experience. Reviewers highlight the game's vibrant pixel art graphics, creative character designs, and comedic background animations as strengths, even if they can occasionally distract from the core rhythm mechanics.