Hello everyone! I am dancing into a different type of rhythm game today — R2Beat.
This game originally launched in Korea in 2005 and made an appearance in Japan in 2006, blending rhythm
mechanics with fast-paced racing, and now as of March 27th 2025, it has
finally received an English and Spanish language update!
✩♬₊˚.What is R2Beat?✩♬₊˚.
Imagine a rhythm game where you don’t just hit notes — you race through a 3D track, dodging obstacles, jumping ramps, and ducking under bridges in time with the music. Imagine Audition and Temple Run mixed together. It combines the precision of rhythm games with the thrill of a platform-style runner, but on roller blades, making it stand out from typical rhythm games. Now that the menus and community features are available in English and Spanish, it is easier to jump in and play without needing guides or translations.
✩♬₊˚.First Impressions✩♬₊˚.
Booting up the game, you’re met with colorful chibi anime-style graphics, upbeat music(the lobby music is my obsession right now!), along with a classic online game vibe. The UI is straightforward! Even when it wasn't in English, the tutorial is easy to learn. The game play itself feels fast, fun, and surprisingly challenging. You race forward as the beat guides your moves; jump, duck, or dash to avoid obstacles that appear on beat with the song. Timing matters, and getting into the rhythm is extremely satisfying once it starts to make sense.
✩♬₊˚.What’s Great✩♬₊˚.
⋆˚࿔ It’s a rhythm game with a fun twist. The running track mechanic makes it more interactive than traditional note-tapping games.
⋆˚࿔The music selection is upbeat and varied, with K-pop, J-pop, dance, and remix tracks.
⋆˚࿔Having English and Spanish language support. This makes a huge difference in accessibility and overall enjoyment.
⋆˚࿔You can have pets and do some farming! They are slightly interactive as you can visit other people's farms and leave a pin with a note!
⋆˚࿔ It is free-to-play! Rewards can be earned by playing and logging in, but there are micro transactions, which all seem to be cosmetic. I personally have not found any pay-to-win aspects other than possibly the farming and pet training!
⋆˚࿔The cosmetics are absolutely adorable! There is a great mix between gacha-style pulls and buy directly from the shop! I will also note to be careful when making purchases! Since it is an older game it does follow the style where you can buy the cosmetics for 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, or infinitely at different prices. Make sure you are purchasing for the time that you want to have the item for!
✩♬₊˚.A Few Things to Note✩♬₊˚.
⋆˚࿔Graphics are a bit retro, which some will love and others may find dated. I personally find the look so charming and cozy.
⋆˚࿔Server activity can vary depending on your time zone. It is by no means a popular game here in the US, so don't expect finding friends to be easy! You are able to change to the Japanese server as well if you are looking to compete with real people. Other than that I would recommend trying to get friends into the game if you're looking for consistency.
⋆˚࿔The learning curve is real. It takes a bit to master jumping and dodging while staying in rhythm, but it is rewarding once you get it. I personally am still struggling to dodge certain obstacles!
⋆˚࿔While the language has been updated to English and Spanish, I've noticed this has caused some of the in game voice acting to be in Spanish instead and not all of the writing is translated from Japanese. So you may still need to bring out the translator!
✩♬₊˚.Final Thoughts✩♬₊˚.
R2Beat is a hidden gem, and this new English and Spanish update makes it worth checking out. The blend of rhythm and racing is still refreshing, and the community may start to slowly grow again thanks to the language accessibility. If you're into rhythm games, give R2Beat a try. It’s colorful, challenging, and now more accessible through language options. Whether you’re a returning fan or brand new to the beat, R2Beat has something fresh and nostalgic to offer.
