Heartbeats (2024)

Developer: First Impact Studio
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Action, Indie, Early Access
Rating: 4.7 of 5, 18 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 1.7 hours
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

A frenetic, anxiety-fueled twin-stick shooter where rhythm and pressure escalate with the BPM, forcing you to fight relentless intrusive thoughts in a surreal, neon nightmare.

anxiety-inducingfast-pacedrhythmicpunishingsurrealintensedifficulttwin-stick

What players say

Players praise the BPM system that raises difficulty the better you play, calling it clever and anxiety-inducing. Runs are short and addictive, with strong arcade vibes and a leaderboard that encourages competition. Visuals and audio are noted as polished, and the game runs well on Steam Deck.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.