Lichtspeer asks players to move like music. That is the whole pitch, and it mostly delivers. The 2016 rhythm game from developer Psycle and publisher Devolver Digital turns tracks into walls and floors, and it wants you to jump, slide and spin through them. The game launched on PS4, Linux, Android and PC, and it remains one of the stranger experiments in rhythm gaming. It is not a platformer dressed up as a beat game. It is a beat game dressed up as a platformer.
The core loop is simple. A track plays, and colored shapes appear in time with it. You press buttons to hit them. But unlike most rhythm games, Lichtspeer also asks you to move. You can run, duck, crouch and jump to avoid obstacles, and the game grades you on how well you time your movements with the music. It is a strange combination, and it takes some getting used to.
Trailer, via Lichthund.
How the Loop Works
The loop is the reason Lichtspeer exists. You are not just hitting notes. You are moving around them. The game calls this “flow,” and it is the central mechanic. You push forward while avoiding obstacles, and the timing is judged on both your button presses and your physical movements.
It sounds simple on paper. In practice, it is far messier. The game is built around a few basic actions:
- Running forward to keep pace with the track
- Ducking to avoid low obstacles
- Jumping over high obstacles
- Sliding to get under tight spaces
- Turning to change direction mid-move
Each action is timed to the beat, and the game punishes you for being off by even a fraction of a second. This is where the game gets frustrating. The timing is exact, and the game does not care about your skill level. It expects you to learn the patterns, and it will not hold your hand.
The Tracks
Lichtspeer comes with a set of original tracks. The music is electronic and repetitive, which fits the game’s abstract visuals. Each track is a corridor of color, and the obstacles are abstract shapes that force you to navigate around them. The visual design is clean and bright, with a neon palette that makes the game look like a glowing tunnel.
The levels are short. A typical track lasts about a minute, and the game is built around replay value. You will die a lot in the early stages, and you will learn the patterns slowly. The game is generous with checkpoints, so you rarely have to start over from the beginning of a track. But the difficulty curve is steep, and the game does not ease you in.
What the Game Does Not Explain
The difficulty in Lichtspeer is uneven. Some tracks are forgiving, letting you learn the pattern without punishing you too harshly. Others are brutal, throwing multiple obstacles at you in quick succession and forcing you to react almost instantly. The game does not explain itself well. There is no tutorial that walks you through the mechanics, and the game assumes you will figure things out through repetition.
This is a problem. A game that relies on precise timing should at least let you know what you are doing wrong. Instead, you get a vague score and a list of mistakes. The game tells you that you were late on a jump, but it does not show you where you went wrong. You have to watch the replay and guess. It is a frustrating system, and it will drive you to replay tracks until you get it right.
The Replay Value
Replay value is where Lichtspeer shines. The game tracks your performance across multiple runs, and you can see your best scores and your worst mistakes. This is the kind of feedback that makes the game addictive. You will want to beat your previous score, and the game rewards you for doing so. The leaderboard system adds a competitive layer, though it is limited to local play on the PS4 version.
The game also offers a challenge mode. This is where the difficulty spikes. The challenge mode removes the safety net, and you will die repeatedly. It is not for everyone, but it is a welcome addition for players who want a harder test. The challenge mode is optional, and you do not need to complete it to finish the game.
Playing Across Platforms
Lichtspeer was released on PS4, Linux, Android and PC. The game is available on all four platforms, though the experience varies slightly depending on the hardware. The PS4 version is the most polished, with a smooth frame rate and responsive controls. The PC version is solid, though it can suffer from input lag on lower-end machines. The Android version has occasional frame drops and touch controls that feel sluggish.
The game supports multiplayer, though it is limited to local co-op. You can play together on the same screen, and the game lets you compete for the highest score. This is a nice addition, though it is not a major feature. The game is primarily a solo experience, and the multiplayer is a small bonus.
Where It Falls Short
Lichtspeer is a game that is easy to recommend and hard to master. It is creative in its approach to rhythm gaming, and it offers a unique experience that sets it apart from other titles in the genre. The flow mechanic is genuinely innovative, and the game’s visual style is striking. But the lack of a proper tutorial and the punishing difficulty curve will frustrate many players.
The game is not for everyone. Players who prefer straightforward rhythm games will find the movement requirements demanding. Players who enjoy challenging platformers may find the music-based timing too rigid. The game splits the difference, and it is better at one than the other.
| Platform | Performance | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| PS4 | Smooth, responsive | The best way to play |
| PC | Solid, but can lag | Good for high-end machines |
| Android | Occasional frame drops, touch controls | Portable, but limited |
| Linux | Similar to PC | Good for desktop setups |
The game’s strengths are its creativity and its replay value. The weaknesses are its difficulty and its lack of guidance. It is a game that rewards persistence, but it does not make it easy. If you are willing to put in the time, you will find a rewarding experience. If you are looking for an easy win, you will be disappointed.
Final Score
Lichtspeer is a game that is best enjoyed in short bursts. It is not the kind of game you sit down and play for hours at a time. It is the kind of game you pick up, play a few tracks, put down, and come back to later. The game is best played in moderation, and it is at its best when you are not frustrated.
The game’s score reflects this split. It is a solid game with a great idea, but the execution is uneven. The difficulty is too high for some, and the lack of guidance is a real issue. But the replay value is strong, and the challenge mode is a welcome addition.
The game is worth playing, but it is not essential. If you are a fan of rhythm games or platformers, you should give it a try. If you are not, you can skip it without missing much. The game is a curiosity, and it deserves credit for trying something new.
Lichtspeer scores 6.5 out of 10.
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