Rift Of The NecroDancer is a true test of reactions and rhythm, and this can be seen in the wide variety of tracks you can beat during the game’s campaign. However, it’s not all the same regular style of action-packed tracks, and there are a few breaks with minigames to change the pace.
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These minigames take inspiration from series like Rhythm Heaven for a more lighthearted (yet still challenging) approach to testing Cadence’s skills. There are a few of these sprinkled throughout the story of Rift Of The NecroDancer, with some being a lot more fun than others, but which is the best?
5
Lunch Rush
The Closest We’re Getting To A New Cooking Mama
It’s a surprise for Cadence when Dove reintroduces her to the antagonist from the previous NecroDancer game, the Necrodancer himself. He’s now stuck working in a fast food restaurant after being transported to the more modern world they’re residing in.
While the villain obviously feels like he’s above the position, he still takes it seriously and enlists Cadence in helping him fulfill orders in the minigame Lunch Rush. The idea of assembling burgers to the beat works in theory, but the call-and-response timing feels slightly off. This, paired with the occasionally tedious and overly simplistic gameplay, makes it a bit of a chore to get through.
4
A Bit Of A Stretch
Follow Dove’s Lead
After reuniting with her friend Dove in the first chapter of the campaign, Cadence is happy to try one of her yoga classes in an attempt to calm down. This prompts the first of the story’s minigames, A Bit Of A Stretch, where Cadence needs to follow the poses that Dove prompts while keeping on beat with the other two students in the class.
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Being the first minigame, the concept is simple and easy enough to execute, but with the changing speed of the commands and the four different poses available, it’s just enough of a challenge to keep it engaging. Since the standard difficulty will be quite easy by the time you’ve completed the main story, this is one of the more fun minigames to return to on a higher difficulty later in the game.
3
Take A Breather
Avoid Distractions
The fourth chapter of Rift Of The NecroDancer’s campaign has Cadence spending time with the enigmatic Suzu, trying to work out the nature of her relationship with the mysterious rift. It doesn’t take long to realize that Suzu’s fiery personality makes communication a bit of a challenge, so Cadence enlists the help of Dove to help Suzu calm down.
Take A Breather sees Cadence and Suzu following Dove’s lead in a breathing exercise designed to help the pair relax. The idea of a minigame centered around controlled inhaling and exhaling sounds like it could be too simple. However, factoring in the distractions from Suzu’s phone and Dove’s shedding pet, it becomes one of the more satisfying challenges to complete throughout the campaign.
2
Voguelike
Strike A Pose
Throughout the entirety of the campaign’s second chapter, Hephaestus attempts to pull off an art exhibition with the help of Merlin, but his efforts are constantly being sabotaged by agents of the rift, Queen and King.
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Cadence and Merlin attempt to keep Hephaestus calm, but after Queen manages to cancel his PR photographer, it seems like he’s on the brink of a breakdown. Luckily, Merlin and Cadence can team up in the minigame Voguelike to photograph the charming sculptor themselves. Following Merlin’s instructions, Cadence needs to zoom and snap photos of Hephaestus to the beat of the track. It’s entertaining to see all the different photos you end up with depending on how well you stay on beat, and while the actions are simple, it’s timed perfectly to keep it fun.
1
Show Time!
MC Cadence
The best minigame in Rift Of The NecroDancer is found in the campaign’s third chapter, where Cadence needs to gain the trust of Nocturna. The stern vampire from Cadence’s home world has somehow managed to land a corporate job in the short time since being transported through the rift, and she’s in charge of a children’s TV channel.
Of course, like most of the victims of the rift, she’s being harassed by a rift agent, this time being Matron. Matron attempts to ruin one of Nocturna’s TV shows by getting rid of key actors, but of course, Cadence is luckily there to fill in. Dressed in a hilariously cartoonish mole costume, Cadence needs to follow the rapping narrator’s instructions to match the actions of the other two dancers. The combination of the rapping with the adorable visuals makes this the stand-out minigame of the campaign, perfectly balancing challenge without getting too frustrating.
- Released
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February 5, 2025
- Developer(s)
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Brace Yourself Games, Tic Toc Games
- Publisher(s)
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Klei Entertainment
- ESRB
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E for Everyone