Thumper Reviews
Thumper looks great and has some interesting ideas, but it's bogged down by strange decisions, obstacles that blend in with the environment, and a soundtrack that doesn't have much to do with the on-screen action.
Steer a metallic beetle down a fast-moving track, avoiding obstacles and collecting doodads along the way
Thumper makes a huge initial impression, and is a great effort for the two man team of Drool; they obviously put a lot of love and thought into creating a unique and evocative experience. Unfortunately, the lack of distinct game play and musical score may turn off all but the most devoted completionists and challenge seekers.
Thumper is a fun and intuitive game based on rhythm that will demand close attention to the sound effects if the players are to make advances in the game's levels. Overall, Thumper needs its players to time their moves just right in order to fulfill with what it expects and those who won't appreciate its audiovisual and gameplay components will not be seduced by this game.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Thumper is a well designed game that's more focused on challenging the players than providing a musical experience. If you're wanting to test your pure reaction times, look no further.
Blisteringly fast and relentlessly unforgiving, Thumper will keep you engaged for hours.
More than living up to the "rhythm violence" tagline, Thumper leaves a lasting impression. Presenting a distinctive and adaptive score, together with an insane visual style and a difficulty level that rarely shows mercy, Thumper is a very effective showcase for the hardware abilities of the Switch, and a highly engaging experience on its own merits.
No matter which version of Thumper you will play, you're definitely gonna love it. The first game from Drool offers the classic "easy to learn, difficult to master" gameplay, which feels even better on Nintendo Switch. On the new Nintendo console, the game offers the chance to move between the great TV mode and the awesome Handheld mode in a blink, while the HD Rumble on both Joy-Cons gives you a great sensation. A must-buy for every Switch owner.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Thumper is a very good rhythm game, if obscenely difficult, and that should make it appeal to any fans of the genre. But it’s a lot more than that, too; it’s an experience unlike any other, one that pushes the bounds of pure audiovisual immersion even with its standard 2D display – to say nothing of its VR capabilities – and that makes it something that I think everyone should at least try.
By the end of Thumper, the speed is insane, the music wild and oppressive, and the feeling of just barely holding on to a beast that wants to send you flying so it can gnaw your bones is disturbingly strong.
A glorious assault on the senses
Thumper is a really hard game that stands out compared to other musical projects with unexpected concept and choice of setting. Beautiful and unusual visual design together with extraordinary music draws into the grim world.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Everything that originally made Thumper a fantastic game is still here to be found in the Switch version. It's incredibly fun and this time around can be played for both short bursts and long car rides. It's a fantastic addition to the Switch's growing library.
I'd still recommend Thumper, though. Readily. But I would also advise not to get too wrapped up in fully finishing it. This road is long and winding and brutal. It might just drive you mad.
Thumper is a remarkably physical experience despite the fact that you control it with such modest thumb gestures.
A total assault on your ears, eyes and reflexes. Thumper will beat you up, but you’ll enjoy it.
A nice surprise for those who have or have not PS VR. A game as easy to play as deep and extremely addictive.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
If you like its aesthetics, its pounding beats, and a stiff challenge, there's really nothing holding me back from recommending it whole-heartedly.
Breakneck speeds, industrial music, and a shiny metallic beetle in a cybernetic reality come together to make one of the most original and difficult rhythm games in years.
Simply put, Thumper is electrifying, and very, very close to being the perfect harmony of inspired visuals and fist-pumping audio. It’s ability to dazzle and awe with its wondrous visuals is matched only by its ability to hook you in for a relentless, downright intoxicating ride. Once you’re strapped in and speeding down that serpentine track, the biggest obstacle you’ll face isn’t the literal hurdles lying in wait — it’s putting down the controller.