Eight years after its initial release, the indie game Just Shapes & Beats is finally getting a physical release, and it's a welcome surprise for fans of the game. The game, developed by Berzerk Studio, is a musical bullet hell that has been delighting players with its simple yet polished gameplay and infectious verve. The game's core premise is straightforward: players must maneuver a little shape to avoid taking a beating from an environment keyed in to whatever banging chiptune track the level is built around. But what makes Just Shapes & Beats truly stand out is its exceptional level of polish and its ability to inject pure joy into the oppressive, pulsing panic of other games. In my opinion, the sheer verve of Just Shapes & Beats is what makes it so captivating. The game's simple elements are executed with an exceptional level of polish, creating a celebratory explosion of the audio-visual in video games. The game's free content updates, including homages to other beloved titles such as Shovel Knight and Undertale, have kept the party bumpin' ever since its debut in 2018. The physical release of Just Shapes & Beats is a testament to the game's enduring popularity and the dedication of its developers. It's a great opportunity for those who haven't played the game to experience its infectious verve and polished gameplay for themselves. The physical release is priced at $35/€39 and includes the game on cart, an instruction manual, a poster, and a sticker sheet. For me, the physical release of Just Shapes & Beats is a reminder of the power of indie games to create experiences that are both simple and polished, and to inject pure joy into the oppressive, pulsing panic of the gaming world. It's a game that has stood the test of time, and its physical release is a welcome addition to any gamer's collection.
