Synth Riders is a virtual reality rhythm game developed and published by Kluge Interactive. It involves players touching spheres ('notes'), tracing lines ('rails'), and avoiding obstacles that move towards them.

Following an early access release in July 2018, the game was officially released for Steam VR and Meta Quest on May 21, 2019, and supports most virtual reality headsets including Oculus Rift, Oculus Quest, Quest 2, Quest 3 and Quest Pro, PlayStation VR, PlayStation VR2, HTC Vive, Pico 4, Valve Index, Samsung Galaxy XR and Apple Vision Pro.

Gameplay The game is designed for virtual reality headsets and requires at least one motion controller on all platforms except for Apple Vision Pro, which utilizes hand tracking. Players have access to a selection of music tracks, each of which can be played at different difficulty levels. Additionally, players can choose from a range of virtual environments known as 'Stages', which can be paired with any song. Alternatively, they may opt for one of the 'Experiences'- visual animations inspired by and synchronized with specific songs. Upon selecting a song, notes and rails appear and move towards the player who must match the correct colored hand to the object. Aside of the regular objects there are also special sections attracting bonus points. These are either gold objects, which must be played with both hands, or green objects, where the player must use the hand first used to complete all objects in that section. Additionally, players need to navigate around obstacles that occasionally appear in the game, which can be accomplished through ducking or dodging to the sides.

Development Synth Riderss development started in 2016, when Kluge Interactive began experimenting with VR technology. It was conceived by creative director Abraham Aguero, who collaborated with another developer, Jhean Ceballos, in designing and building the game. The concept took shape through a series of prototypes, and it made its debut on July 12, 2018 as an early access title on Steam. After the release, Aguero listened to community feedback as the game underwent successive updates. Reflecting on the initial years, he mentioned, "The first two years were pretty much me watching people play on Twitch for hours. I'd jump into their stream, hearing their feedback, asking them questions."

The game left Steam early access and was released for Steam VR and Meta Quest on May 21, 2019. In the following years, the game was expanded through the addition of new gameplay modes. Major updates included cross-platform multiplayer, Spin Mode, Spiral Mode, and Mixed Reality Mode. Aguero claims that part of the team's strategy involves porting Synth Riders "everywhere we can".

Mixed reality features for visionOS became available through Apple Arcade with the release of the Apple Vision Pro headset on February 2, 2024.

Song packs

Base game

PackOST songs(free)DLC songs(paid)Release dateSynthwave Essentials Vol 119July 12, 2018FiXT Essentials Vol 112June 20, 2019 Ninety9Lives13November 1, 2019 Electro Swing Essentials75April 23, 2020 Monstercat (was Cyberpunk Essentials) Music Pack65August 13, 2020 Synthwave Essentials Vol 2 (Muse)55January 14, 2021 Adrenaline Essentials (The Offspring)35March 25, 2021 Synthwave Essentials Vol 3 (The Midnight)55July 13, 2023 Electro Swing Essentials Vol 2 (Jamie Berry)45January 25, 2024 Specials Music Pack72October 30, 2024 Total OST (included in Base Game)81 EASY:78; NORMAL:80; HARD:78; EXPERT:79; MASTER:74; CUSTOM:1

Paid DLC

PackDLC songs(paid)Release dateIncluded Experience or StageElectro Swing Essentials5April 23, 2020 "Rise of the Golden Phoenix" StageMonstercat (was Cyberpunk Essentials) Music Pack5August 13, 2020 "Dystopia" StageSynthwave Essentials Vol 2 (Muse)5January 14, 2021 "Algorithm" Experience™Adrenaline Essentials (The Offspring)5March 25, 2021 "Come Out and Play" Experience™Caravan Palace Music Pack5July 9, 2021 "Wonderland" Experience™Muse Music Pack5September 16, 2021 "Starlight" Experience™Lindsey Stirling Music Pack5April 14, 2022 "Underground" Experience™League of Legends Music Pack (K/DA)5September 1, 2022 "Legends Never Die" Experience™Groovin' Essentials (Bruno Mars)5December 15, 2022 "Liquid Disco" StageGorillaz Music Pack7February 22, 2023 "Psycho Road" StageSynthwave Essentials Vol 3 (The Midnight)5July 13, 2023 "Back to the Synths Remastered" StageElectro Swing Essentials Vol 2 (Jamie Berry)5January 25, 2024 80s Mixtape - Side A5April 18, 2024 "Endless Café" StageSpecials Music Pack2October 30, 2024Synth Riders Experience™ - Barbie™ Dance ‘n Dream1December 5, 2024Barbie™ Dance ‘n Dream Experience™80s Mixtape - Side B7January 9, 2025Kendrick Lamar HUMBLE. Experience™1February 2, 2025HUMBLE. Experience™Current Waves Music Pack5March 6, 202590s Rock Music Pack5May 15, 2025Infected Mushroom Music Pack3August 17, 2025Lady Gaga Music Pack11December 18, 2025Dua Lipa Music Pack7April 16, 2026Crypt of the NecroDancer Music Pack5May 14, 2026Linkin Park Music Pack13June 25, 2026Total DLC127 EASY/ NORMAL/ HARD/ EXPERT:127each; MASTER:124; CUSTOM:1; EXPERIENCES™:8

Reception Synth Riders received "generally favorable" reviews according to Metacritic.

The game was featured by Forbes in their list of The Top 50 VR Games of 2019. In 2020, The Guardian acknowledged the fitness aspect of the game, placing it among the top 10 VR fitness apps, calling it "Joyful, even if you look ridiculous to onlookers." Push Square appreciated the ability to personalize gameplay according to one's preferences. As they noted, "The game is also a very malleable one, with an almost overwhelming number of modifiers and settings to play around with."

Awards

YearAwardCategoryResultRef.2020XR Awards 2020VR Game of the YearFinalistVR Fitness Insider’s 2020 VR Fitness AwardsBest VR Fitness Game of the YearFinalistBest VR Rhythm Game of the YearFinalist2022UploadVR's Best of VR 2022Best Updated VR GameNominated2024Apple Design AwardsSpatial ComputingFinalist

References

External links