With Ragarock, PSVR2’s other launch title about drumming — alongside Drums Rock — developer WanadevStudio has crafted a rhythm game in which Viking boating crews race against each other. As you compete against bots, or even other players online, you will get farther in your rowing team.
You can expect a rhythm game more like Beat Saber than Drums Rock because the game focuses on following the melodies of songs rather than simulating actual drums. The drumming doesn’t feel like it’s actually playing them, but it’s still fun. The entire score is filled with lively music that fits well with the Viking aesthetic: black metals, pirate metals, and Celtic metals.
All these genres are appropriate and enjoyable, but they do make the soundtrack seem homogenous. While there are 38 tracks, they don’t seem to differ from each other unless you already know and like the bands.
Although that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, a wider variety of sounds would certainly enhance the game’s replayability, which is why the game has a custom song tab. Even though it’d be unprecedented if it were included on PSVR2, we couldn’t figure out how to make use of it. It’s probably a PC leftover, although it feels sloppy not to remove it here.
In spite of the extensive soundtrack, the game itself is rather sparse. You can play solo or online without any traditional storyline or progression. Norse mythology maps and the note highway look great, but the rest of the game looks plain. As a result, the text in the menus is a lower resolution than we expected.
After a few sessions, Ragnarock’s appeal may wane. It’s fun at first, but soon grows tiresome.
Pros:
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Fun core concept.
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There are a few great songs.
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Charts you’ll enjoy.
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A nice aesthetic.
Cons:
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Music is homogeneous.
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Error in Custom Song section.
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Menus and text are fuzzy.
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Modes lacking.
Score 6/10