Cricket Meets Rhythm In 'Bat To The Beat': A Genre-Bending Game You Didn't Know You Needed
A musical spin on the nation's unofficial national sport is here, and it’s playable on Steam.
Indie developer Kunal Joshi — under the label Baba Black Sheep Games — has launched the demo of his upcoming PC game Bat to the Beat on Steam. This isn't your typical cricket simulation. Instead, it reimagines the gentleman’s game through a musical lens, transforming every delivery into a beat and every shot into a dance move.
Cricket, But Make It Rhythm
Bat to the Beat is an unconventional mash-up that borrows inspiration from titles like Rhythm Heaven Fever, Crypt of the NecroDancer, and Super Hexagon. The result? A rhythm-based cricket action experience where players need to sync their shots to eclectic soundtracks representing various regions of the world. From the reggae pulse of Jamaica to the high-energy, Bollywood-flavoured beats of Mumbai, each level promises a unique auditory and gameplay experience.
At its core, the game plays like a rhythmic chess match. "At each beat players make a split-second decision: attack and risk getting caught by the fielders or defend and let the pressure build up," the developer explains. Timing and strategy are key, not just for scoring runs, but for grooving with precision.
Solo Dev’s Passion Project
Created using Unity, Bat to the Beat is the brainchild of solo developer Kunal Joshi. His indie label, Baba Black Sheep Games, reflects a long-standing passion for music and game design. Speaking about the game’s development, Joshi said, “Bat to the Beat is a work of obsession, combining three of my favourite things: cricket, music, and video games. It’s a passion project that’s been honed from years of iteration and feedback. I hope you’re able to find as much joy in playing it as I did crafting it.”
The game is currently available for wishlisting on Steam, and a free demo has already gone live. While the preview offers a taste of the rhythm-infused madness, the full version, expected to release later this year, will feature additional levels, new soundscapes, and more challenging grooves.
Low Specs, High Vibes
Good news for those with older setups: the game’s system requirements are refreshingly minimal. Whether you’re on Windows 10 or macOS 10.13 and above, all you need is a basic processor (1.6 GHz or faster), 4GB RAM, and just 1GB of storage space. However, a pro tip from the developer: Bluetooth audio isn’t recommended for optimal beat-matching precision.
With controller support, a completely original soundtrack, and a gameplay experience unlike anything else in the cricket genre, Bat to the Beat may well become a sleeper hit for gamers who like their boundaries timed to a beat.
You can check out the demo/download it via its Steam page.
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News headlines at this hour in fatafat style | 6 December 2021
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