Rockbeasts: BoJack Horseman Meets Band Management? Colour Me Intrigued, But...
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Rockbeasts is a band management game set in a BoJack Horseman-esque world, where you guide a band of misfit animals to stardom, and while the premise is promising, it needs to deliver a compelling story to truly rock.
Right, so Rock Paper Shotgun's Mark Warren took a peek at *Rockbeasts*, a game that's pitching itself as *BoJack Horseman* meets band management. And fair dinkum, the premise has me hooked already. Imagine a '90s America populated by anthropomorphic animals, all chasing the rock 'n' roll dream. We're talking tragicomic narratives, questionable band decisions (strip clubs and chicken wings, anyone?), and the constant struggle between artistic integrity and selling out. Sound familiar?
You're the band manager, tasked with guiding a motley crew – an ostrich singer with an ego the size of Texas, a deer guitarist with a penchant for swearing, a rabbit drummer battling some inner demons, and a mild-mannered fish bassist – to stardom (or at least, a record deal). The gameplay loop revolves around managing the band's health, mood, hype, and money. Each day is split into four slots (morning, afternoon, evening, night), where you can choose activities like rehearsals, promotional gigs, or hunting down that perfect amp. Think of it as *The Sims*, but with more guitar solos and less existential dread... maybe.
Each episode culminates in a live performance, where you'll be hitting keys in a rhythm game-esque manner. (Karaoke from the Yakuza games?) The story seems to be the make-or-break element here. Can *Rockbeasts* offer enough unique satire of the rock 'n' roll world to stand apart from *BoJack*'s sharp dissection of celebrity culture? Warren reckons the voice acting is spot-on, and some characters show potential. However, he wonders about the decision to have a voiced protagonist, arguing that a blank canvas might have been a better fit, given the game's emphasis on customization.
There's a lot of potential here, with a neat intro that nods to *GTA 4* with an Iggy Pop-hosted rock radio station. Warren hopes the band's '90s journey will resonate in the present day. But *Rockbeasts* needs to prove it's more than just a cover band, or it might just get booed off stage. I reckon it looks promising but needs to deliver on the depth of the characters and narrative.
Tags: Indie Games, Management Sim, Rock and Roll, Narrative Games, Comedy Games
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun