Music and video games have always had a special connection, but Fretless: The Wrath of Riff by Ritual Studios and published by Playdigious Originals takes it to a whole new level. With stunning pixel art, a turn-based combat system mixed with deck-building (or rather, riff-building), and rhythm-based mechanics, this game is shaping up to be one of the most exciting indie JRPGs in recent memory.
The demo is already available on Steam, and after playing it, we can confidently say this game is a must-try for music lovers and RPG fans alike.
A World Where Music is Power
The story of Fretless: The Wrath of Riff is deeply rooted in music culture. The main villain, Rick Riffson, is the head of a ruthless record label that organizes a massive battle of the bands—his real goal? Trapping the best musicians with exploitative contracts. If you know anything about the darker side of the music industry, this premise might sound all too real…
As the protagonist, you’ll explore a music-themed world filled with beautifully detailed pixel art environments, battling enemies in a combat system that blends strategy, deck-building, and rhythm-based gameplay.
Turn-Based Combat, Deck-Building… and Riffs!
At its core, Fretless is a turn-based RPG, but instead of a traditional combat system, it incorporates deck-building mechanics—except here, you’re not using cards, but Riffs. These musical sequences act as your attacks and abilities, giving the game a unique, strategic edge.
How the Combat System Works
- Turn-Based Battles with Enemy Attack Prediction
Every fight is turn-based, and you can see what the enemy plans to do next—similar to Slay the Spire. This gives you time to plan your strategy accordingly. - Riff-Building Instead of Deck-Building
Instead of drawing cards, you’ll get Riffs, which determine your available moves each turn. As you progress, you’ll unlock and upgrade new Riffs to create powerful combos. - No XP, Just Pure Upgrades
Forget grinding for experience points. In Fretless, your character improves by upgrading Riffs and finding new equipment for your instruments. The demo starts you off with an acoustic guitar with three slots for equipable items, which can modify your abilities in battle, and later, you will unlock more instruments. - Timing is Everything!
Simply selecting an attack isn’t enough—you have to press a button at the right time to maximize damage, just like in a rhythm game. Perfect timing also reduces damage taken when defending against enemy attacks. - The Crescendo Bar and Super Combos
Every time you land an attack with perfect timing, you build up the Crescendo Bar. Once it’s full, you can unleash a super attack through a Guitar Hero-style mini-game where you have to hit the correct notes in rhythm. If executed perfectly, this move deals massive damage.
Instruments and Playstyle Variety
One of Fretless’s standout features is the ability to switch instruments. You won’t be stuck with just an acoustic guitar—throughout your journey, you’ll unlock different instruments, each with its own mechanics and impact on gameplay.
Choosing a new instrument doesn’t just change the look and sound—it completely alters your approach to combat, plus a whole set of items and pedals to equip, will improve each instrument further.
Pixel Art and a Killer Soundtrack
Visually, Fretless is a work of art. The pixel art style is packed with detail, and the environments are brimming with music-related references. Every location and character has a distinct personality, making the world feel alive and immersive.
But of course, the real star here is the soundtrack. Every battle and exploration sequence is synced with a dynamic musical score. If you have a good ear for rhythm, you could even play purely by listening and hitting the beats—without needing to watch the screen!
Is It Worth Playing?
After playing the demo, I can confidently say that Fretless: The Wrath of Riff has the potential to be a must-play for fans of JRPGs, deck-builders, and rhythm games. The combination of Slay the Spire-style strategy, Hi-Fi Rush-like musical mechanics, and a unique progression system makes it stand out from the crowd. The demo is available now on Steam – go try it out and let me know what you think!
