KickBeat#KickBeat: Special Edition and KickBeat: Steam Edition
{{Short description|2013 music video game}}
{{Infobox video game
|title=KickBeat
|image=KickBeat cover.jpg
|caption=
|developer=Zen Studios
|publisher=Zen Studios
SCEA
|designer=
|composer=
|release=PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita
September 3, 2013
Microsoft Windows
January 20, 2014
PlayStation 4, Wii U
September 16, 2014
Xbox One
September 26, 2014
|modes=Single-player, multiplayer
|platforms=PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Microsoft Windows, Wii U
}}
KickBeat is a martial arts-themed rhythm action game developed by Zen Studios.{{cite web|title=KickBeat|url=http://kickbeat.com/|publisher=Zen Studios|accessdate=9 September 2013}} The mechanics are similar to those of Gitaroo Man and Dance Dance Revolution, where the player must press a button corresponding to one of four directions at the correct time.
Gameplay
During the game, enemies will come at you from all directions. You must press the direction or corresponding button to where the enemy is attacking. This all takes place to the rhythm of the current song.
Plot
The story of KickBeat starts off with all of the world's music being stolen. It is up to the player to use the remaining 18 songs (the game's soundtrack) to free the rest of the music.
Song List
The game features its own soundtrack, but there is an option in the Steam Edition to import music for further game play.{{cite web|title=KickBeat trailer explains how to import your own music|date=20 August 2013 |url=http://www.vg247.com/2013/08/20/kickbeat-trailer-explains-how-to-import-your-own-music/|publisher=VG247|accessdate=August 20, 2013}} The Special Edition includes a total of 11 artists and 24 songs, with some artists contributing multiple songs.{{Cite news |first=Zen |last=Studios |url=http://www.kickbeat.com |title=Zen Studios - KickBeat |publisher=Zen Studios |date=2014-09-09 |accessdate=25 September 2013}}
- Blue Stahli – "Scrape"
- Blue Stahli – "Takedown"
- Blue Stahli – "ULTRAnumb"
- Celldweller – "I Can’t Wait"
- Celldweller – "Switchback"
- enV – "Bloom"
- enV – "Destination"
- enV – "OCP"
- enV – "RPM"
- enV – "Shakestopper"
- enV – "Vee"
- Marilyn Manson – "The Beautiful People"
- Papa Roach – "Last Resort"
- Pendulum – "Propane Nightmares (Celldweller Remix)"
- Pendulum – "Self vs. Self"
- P.O.D. – "Boom"
- Pre-Fight Hype – "It’s Goin Down"
- Pre-Fight Hype & Southpaw Swagger – "Tug-O-War"
- Rob Zombie – "Scum of the Earth"
- Shen Yi – "War Dance"
- Southpaw Swagger – "It’s Showtime"
- Styles of Beyond – "Nine Thou"
- Voicians – "The Construct"
- Voicians – "Fighters"
''KickBeat: Special Edition'' and ''KickBeat: Steam Edition''
KickBeat: Special Edition and KickBeat: Steam Edition are the releases for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, and Steam distribution for Microsoft Windows.
Reception
While reviewing the Steam Edition of the game, IGN noted the game had good visuals but were disappointed with the lack of content.{{cite web|title=Round 2: Still Not A Knickout.|date=23 January 2014|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/01/23/kickbeat-review-2|accessdate=January 23, 2014|publisher=IGN}} Metacritic gave a generally positive aggregated score of 66 based on 7 critics.{{cite web|title=Metacritic - KickBeat: Steam Edition|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/kickbeat/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|publisher=Metacritic}}