"Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoid Shapes, move to the kick-ass Beats, and die, repeatedly.
Players control a square-shaped character and navigate through stages filled with moving geometric shapes and obstacles that sync to the beat of the music. To survive, players must time their movements and dashes precisely, avoiding collisions with these shapes. The game uniquely blends the bullet-hell genre with a strong focus on music and rhythm.
One of the standout features is the emphasis on cooperative gameplay. Up to four players can team up, either locally or online, to tackle the chaotic stages together. Players must coordinate their movements and work in tandem to overcome the challenges, adding a layer of strategy and camaraderie to the experience.
The level design offers a diverse array of stages, each with its own visual style and musical accompaniment. Levels range from relatively simple patterns to increasingly complex and intense bullet-hell sequences, keeping players on their toes and constantly adapting to new challenges. The tight integration between the level design and the music is praised for its creativity and memorability.
As players progress, the difficulty ramps up significantly, especially in the later stages and the "Challenge Runs" mode. Mastering the game requires honing reflexes, pattern recognition, and timing skills, providing a skill-based progression that appeals to players who enjoy the thrill of overcoming demanding gameplay.
The soundtrack, featuring over 20 licensed tracks from various chiptune and electronic music artists, is a critical component of the experience. The music is seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, with the shapes and obstacles syncing perfectly to the rhythm, creating an immersive and memorable experience for players.