Your skill shapes the soundtrack. Your combo controls the music.

Every run is a unique concert of chaos!

---

Encore is a top-down, bullet-hell roguelike where music isn't just background noise—it's a living reward system that evolves with your performance.

Start with a simple beat. Build combos to unlock new instrument layers. By the end of a perfect run, you're conducting a full band while surviving an orchestra of destruction!

Kill enemies → Build combos → Unlock music layers → Create your own soundtrack!

How the Music System Works

Every wave starts with a simple bass line. As you rack up kills without getting hit, you'll hit combo milestones that add new layers to the music:

• VERSE! – Drums kick in
• CHORUS! – Synth joins the mix
• BRIDGE! – Lead guitar enters
• FINALE! – Full band unleashed

Get hit? You lose your combo AND the music! Fight your way back to rebuild the soundtrack.

Core Features

• Dynamic Layered Music System
  Music that responds to your skill. Each milestone brings a new instrument layer with synced audio that builds into a complete track.
• Beat-Synchronized Combat
  Time your attacks to the rhythm for 25% bonus damage and satisfying "PERFECT!" feedback. A visual beat indicator helps you find the groove.
• 13 Playable Characters
  From The Metal Head's lifesteal to The Drummer's explosive kills to The Punk's single-weapon mastery—each character has a unique passive ability that changes your playstyle.
• 4 Instrument Weapons
  Wield the Guitar Shredder, Bass Cannon, Drum Launcher, and Synth Blaster. Each weapon can be evolved into ultimate forms.
• 2 Unique Arenas
  Battle through the Forest with classic enemy types, or take on the Cyber stage against music-themed foes like Discordant, Feedback, and Loop.
• Escalating Bullet-Hell Combat
  Survive waves of enemies with unique behaviors—charging tanks, predictive lasers, screen-filling bullet patterns, and bosses that test your skills.
• Deep Roguelike Progression
  Spend music notes in the shop between waves to buy weapon unlocks, stat upgrades, passive abilities, and extra weapon slots.
• Kill Streak Rewards
  Chain rapid kills for escalating bonuses: KILL STREAK! → RAMPAGE! → UNSTOPPABLE!
• Full Controller Support
  Optimized twin-stick controls with rhythm action on the right trigger for seamless aim-and-shoot gameplay. Works on Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch Pro controllers.

Play Instantly!

This game runs directly in your browser (WebGL). No download needed! Just click "Run game" above and start playing.

For the best experience, use a modern browser like Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, and consider using Fullscreen mode (the button in the bottom-right of the game frame).

Controls

Keyboard & Mouse

WASD          - Move
Mouse         - Aim
Left Click    - Shoot
F             - Rhythm Action (time to the beat!)
Space         - Riff Ability
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 - Switch Weapons
H             - Toggle Controls Display
ESC           - Pause Menu

Controller

Left Stick    - Move
Right Stick   - Aim
RT / R2       - Rhythm Action
LT / L2       - Riff Ability
X / Square    - Shoot
RB / LB       - Cycle Weapons
D-Pad         - Direct Weapon Select
Start         - Pause Menu

Red highlight navigation in all menus for easy controller use!

Tips for New Players

• Watch the beat indicator around your character—it pulses gold when you're on-beat
• Don't just shoot fast; shoot on rhythm for that 25% damage bonus
• Your combo resets when you take damage, so dodge first, kill second
• Different characters suit different playstyles—experiment!
• The Cyber map has harder enemies but different music—worth trying once you've mastered Forest

Feedback & Support

Found a bug? Have a suggestion? Want to share your high score?

Leave a comment below! I read and respond to all feedback. Your input helps make Encore better!

Credits

• Project Lead: Hai Ho
• Game Development: Hai Ho, Fredrick, & Alex
• Art: Bryce
• Tileset: szadiart (Rogue Fantasy Catacombs)
• Engine: Unity (WebGL)
• Inspiration: Brotato, Vampire Survivors, Crypt of the NecroDancer
• Special Thanks: To all our playtesters!

---

A St. John's University capstone project