Thumper Reviews

Thumper is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
ZTGD
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2017

On the outside, Thumper looks bizarre with its strange design and nightmarish visuals. But don't let that fool you, Thumper has it where it counts.

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8.8 / 10.0
Oct 16, 2016

Thumper wraps a trip through spectral hell, the sensation of travelling down an interminable barrel of a gun, and a pounding rhythm game into an articulate package. It condenses to a sensory rampage that feels as concerned with survival as it is as consumed by perfection. Hitting notes on highway isn't a new concept, but performing it under the threat of phantasmal horror, and somehow empowering progress, positions Thumper as a modern apex.

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9 / 10.0
Mar 22, 2023

In PS VR2 case, Thumper's world acquires a brand new identity, creating the right conditions to "get lost" in a different universe from our own.

Review in Greek | Read full review

9 / 10.0
Oct 10, 2016

Thumper is an absolute blast providing a nightmarish world filled with a desire for speed and brutal music based obstacles to maneuver through.

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Aug 9, 2017

Frightening, immediate and exhilarating, Thumper does well to immediately set itself apart as a rhythm game.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 5, 2016

Thumper's difficulty continues to put a knife up to me and my 'X' button. The game thrives in it's mesmerizing atmosphere, soundtrack and difficulty, which is really all you need.

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ZEFGame.ru
Frostengine
9 / 10.0
May 20, 2017

Thumper is the best rhythm game I had a chance to play, great graphics, designer style, excellent optimization, wonderful music, all in the right combination causes a storm of positive emotions, a special thank you to the developers for working with advanced functions Nintendo Switch.

Review in Russian | Read full review

9 / 10
Aug 19, 2017

Best in class, Thumper is an atmospheric and compelling addition to the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch, whose hellish drumbeat will pound in your memory for a long while. It’s that fearlessness to stand apart from what has long been expected in the genre that sees Drool succeed where others have faltered, and it won’t require spending too much time with the game for you to recognise why.

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Aug 26, 2017

To conclude, I have loved my time with Thumper and will carry on loving this mad, mental, skill based music mayhem of a game. There are moments when you might feel it all gets too much and too similar, but take a break before going back and you’ve fall in love with it once again.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 27, 2017

Thumper is one of the more artistic video games I have ever played, it puts a spin on a genre in such a way that no one else has. It may be challenging, but it begs to be conquered. One of the best video games you can buy on your Switch at the moment, especially with a great pair of headphones.

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Oct 17, 2016

'Thumper's unique brand of "rhythm violence" should be experienced by every fan of rhythm games. It's an audiovisual delight that has been paired with challenging gameplay, and it creates such a captivating experience. While I definitely think it's a better game when played on PlayStation VR, regular PS4 owners will still find a stellar game here. Just one that is slightly more difficult and not quite as engrossing.

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4.5 / 5.0
Oct 11, 2016

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.

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9 / 10
Oct 25, 2016

Thumper is a thriving rhythm game that includes an incredible VR mode. That's not to say the game isn't worth it if you have no interest in virtual reality, but indie developer Drool takes the game to new heights when you find yourself enveloped in the game's 3D space. Even being mediocre when it goes to playing on the leaderboards, I keep going back to Thumper every night for just one more run.

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9 / 10
May 18, 2017

Thumper is a fantastic video game, an extravagant rhythm experience that's also a brutal assault on the senses. It's extremely difficult, painfully so at times, yet we feel the need to persevere, retrying tough stages over and over again. Even when that's done the drive for better ranks remains, simply because the game compels us to play on.The level of challenge, though, shouldn't be underestimated - even for strong players short sessions may become necessary in the latter third of the game, in particular. The only real flaw of Thumper, in actual fact, is that it offers so little respite and no 'easy' mode for players. Some may scoff at that, saying it's a game designed to be tough, but the downside is that without that optional concession the game will be inaccessible and impenetrable for some players.That's a pity, as for those up for the challenge it's a wonderful - albeit gruelling - gaming experience.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 18, 2016

It's a great game overall. It doesn't pull any punches, and is relentless in its 'rhythm violence' and that makes it one of the most satisfying games out there. Now to try and S rank these songs.

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Justin Celani
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Oct 21, 2016

Thumper is one of my favorite games this year, simple yet challenging, visually stimulating, and excellent sound use. Easy to play, hard to master is the familiar phrase that comes to mind. VR only adds to the experience, but even without that added element, the game shines

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9 / 10
Oct 15, 2016

Thumper makes an incredible case for the future of virtual reality. With an incredible level of quality paired with a reasonable price of admission, this should absolutely be one of the first titles that anyone interested in making the most out of their new PlayStation VR headset buys. With blistering speed and intensity to go along some easy to learn, difficult to master gameplay mechanics, the future of rhythm games – and, by extension, virtual reality – is bright.

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90 / 100
May 31, 2017

Thumper is a terrifyingly difficult game, but don't let that deter you from experiencing its rhythm violence firsthand. The Switch port takes advantage of the system's features quite well, and its speedy performance and killer sound design will rock your world.

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90 / 100
Nov 23, 2016

Thumper is a right hook out of nowhere. It’s the right combination of speed, bizarre visuals, music, and difficulty that makes you want to replay it after the credits roll. The single button and stick controls also makes it eminently accessible to everyone, but difficult to master. Come for the bizarre visuals, stay for the even more bizarre bosses.

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Aug 21, 2017

Thumper is the most hellish and intense rhythm-action game you or I will ever play. While it's Xbox One port may lack some features available on other platforms—such as VR and portability—Thumper is still a fantastic and frightening game that's drenched in atmosphere and polished to the absolute max.

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