Philippines-based Basika Games is looking to shake up the rhythm game scene with their debut title, Rhythm Rat Rampage. Recently featured at Indie Jam 2026 with a public demo out now on Steam, the game plays exactly like what you’d expect from its title.
You play as Strik and his pals, a band of music-loving rats, as they journey through the dystopian wasteland controlled by a rhythm-obsessed hive mind. Using the power of rhythm and a headbanging original soundtrack, synchronise your attacks to the beat to bring life back to the world.
The demo gives us an early look at what the game has in store, starting with a play style selection which allows you to pick between Strikt Mode, which requires you to stay on beat in order to land special moves, and Slick Mode, which automatically syncs your attacks to the beat and recommended if you’re less familiar with rhythm games. It’s a nice addition that reminds me of the quality of life additions in Hi-Fi Rush.
From there, the game only ramps up in difficulty. Much like its bullet hell brethren, both your enemies and environment are constantly working against you. Whether you decide to dodge aggressively or mow down your enemies with special moves, don’t forget to land your combos on the beat or none of them will count.
Unlike your typical bullet hell, its soundtrack adds a whole new dimension of gameplay to Rhythm Rat Rampage. There’s a heavy bassline in every song that helps keep you on beat, but the beat also shifts from time to time. It’s a great way of keeping players on their toes, but it means you’re not always dealing with a standard 3 or 4-beat count like in Hi-Fi Rush.
The game even throws some unique enemies into the fray to mess up your inner rhythm, including a particularly annoying enemy that captures you for a few seconds and overrides your music track with a different beat. Even with the helpful visual indicators in the game’s UI, it’s impossible not to get disoriented a few times in your playthrough. The only solution is practice, practice, and more practice.
Having played through the demo levels, a few things are instantly clear. Rhythm Rat Rampage is designed for players who like the challenge. Perhaps a strong narrative, which isn’t featured in the demo yet, might hook in more casual players, but there’s no denying its core gameplay is highly technical and designed to be mastered.
The game is also best experienced on controller, so make sure to grab yours before you try out the demo. Check the game out now on Steam and make sure to drop them a wishlist.
