Thumper

Don't fully expect this to fully be a rhythm game going into it, it's often more about reaction time than rhythm

anyone who says this is all about reactions isnt listening to audio cues

p cool on an arcade stick

There definitely is a rhythm in all of those tracks. Sometimes it gets into unpredictable directions, but despite the complexity, it has a pulse that I can feel out. Now I don't play jazz rhythm or anything but I am able to pick out the overall patterns in the rhythm in most of the tracks.

Some sections I have to retry to understand the rhythm and pulse, and it ends up feeling like learning a musical segment. I enjoy that aspect of the game for sure. But in the end, when the game gets harder and start demanding more complex inputs, I can't help but feel that brain power and dexterity practice would be better spent in actually practicing an instrument.

just found out that all the music and the art for this was done by the bassist from fucking lightning bolt???

This game answers the question "what if a noise metal was a game?". Only 1 button + d-pad/analog, mesmerizing visuals, insane soundtrack.

Also a funny thing that turns it harder in a different way. Normally rhythm games are on a time signature of 4/4, like most popular music.
Thumper twists this in a crazy way, basically these are the time signatures of the levels ( take this with pinch of salt, I did study music but I am no musician nor audio designer ):
Level 1: 1/4 or 2/4 ( can't decide here )
Level 2: 2/4
Level 3: 3/4
Level 4: 4/4
Level 5: 5/8
Level 6: 6/8
Level 7: 7/8
Level 8: No clue here, couldn't really feel it but by following the pattern would be 8/8.
Level 9: 9/8

This will make all levels feel very very very different. And some like 7 and especially 9 where you'll have this uncanny feeling because this time signatures don't feel "natural". This compiled with the visuals make this experience 100% unique.

Also, the ending levels are aggressively perfect.