Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands is a delightfully unhinged rock ‘n’ roll RPG that turns the classic “get the band together” trope into a supernatural showdown packed with puns, personality, and heart. Developed by a small team and drawing from Dan Martin’s web comic of the same name, it follows the misadventures of guitarist Faye, skeletal bassist Ian, and drummer Briff as they unwittingly sign up for a Battle of the Bands tournament laced with demonic curses. What starts as a shot at fame quickly spirals into a fight for survival.
The narrative strikes a perfect balance between absurd comedy and genuine heart. Faye serves as the straight(ish) woman trying to wrangle her eccentric band mates, while Ian’s over-the-top style and Briff’s laid-back optimism fuel constant banter. The writing mixes great wordplay, slapstick, and fourth-wall-leaning humour that feels fresh rather than forced. Side characters and locations, like talking trees, mechanical song writing fish, or haunted venues add layers of whimsy without sacrificing momentum. The story clocks in at a focused 15ish hours for the main path, stretching between 20-30 with side gigs, making it an ideal length for an indie title that knows when to end the set on a high note rather than overstaying its welcome.
At its core, Deathbulge shines through its inventive combat system, which feels like a spiritual successor to classics like Grandia but with a heavier metal twist. Battles unfold on a timeline divided into four “Measures” where character and enemy icons slide along action bars. Strategic placement of buffs, debuffs, Haste, or damage-over-time effects on these segments creates dynamic, unpredictable fights. You control one active member at a time but can switch freely, letting bench-warmers recover their Hype (mana equivalent) while you maintain momentum.
Customization elevates this further. Each character equips a Beat (basic attack), Patches (passives), and up to three Mods that tie into music-themed classes like Busker, Headbanger, or Distorter. Equipping a class Mod in the primary slot changes your character’s look, stats, and reduces costs for related abilities, encouraging experimentation. Builds can get wild, mixing high-risk, high-reward skills that might backfire with random status effects or lean into reliable support roles. Performances, the game’s ultimate “jam sessions” deliver crowd-cheering spectacles with powerful multi-effects once you build enough Glam, though they require deliberate setup and often shine brightest in longer encounters.
Difficulty is notably steep by default. Bosses and even standard foes demand mastery of positioning, timing, and optimal builds. This can frustrate casual players seeking a light story romp, but it rewards those who engage deeply with the systems. However, added alongside the wider console release was an easy mode, which can be activated by speaking to MODPOD666-X. Exploration encourages poking around colourful, hand-crafted areas filled with secrets and side quests, though the world feels somewhat linear and contained rather than sprawling. Kicking down every door (literally) never gets old, adding a satisfying physicality to exploration and a trophy to boot.
Visually, the game bursts with vibrant, cartoonish energy reminiscent of Adventure Time. Character designs are exaggerated and memorable. Muscular skeletons, hooded drummers, and flamboyant rivals brought to life with animations that pop during combat and cutscenes. Environments hide delightful details that reward closer inspection, making the world feel alive despite its modest scope. The soundtrack was always going to be key here and it stands out as an absolute triumph. Tracks by Leslie Wai and Patrick Henaghan are infectious enough to warrant a standalone listen, perfectly capturing the game’s chaotic spirit. To be clear, this is not the kind of music I would generally throw on in the car, but it has definitely found a way into my Spotify rotation.
Minor gripes exist. A bit more progression for extra mod slots or extended endgame battles could have let players cut loose even further. Performances (the games ultimate) takes a frustratingly long time to build as well, which leads to you not being able to use it as much as you’d like. That said, these don’t overshadow the charm.
Deathbulge: Battle of the Bands succeeds as a love letter to music, friendship, and the absurdity of chasing dreams against impossible odds. Its combat demands attention but delivers satisfying depth, while the humour and heart make every gig memorable. For fans of quirky JRPGs, this is a must-play indie gem that rocks hard without pretension. It’s a killer set that leaves you wanting an encore, but fully satisfied by the finale. Crank the volume, kick down some doors, and let the music fight for you.
-Mark
