Before AlphaDream went belly-up, they were responsible for the Mario & Luigi series of RPGs. These stood out from the average turn-based RPGs for their use of real-time action commands that could turn the tide of battle. At the same time while these games were being enjoyed by kids, Wilds Arms 5‘s take on turn-based battles incorporated a hexagonal field system that emphasized unit placement which added strategy.

Flash forward to the 2020s. Moonana, a humble Brazilian indie game developer, was inspired by the Mario & Luigi RPGs. Combining the action commands from a series of games aimed at kids, Moonana implemented them into the darkly philosophical and hard-as-nails Virgo Versus The Zodiacs. It was a decent effort but was rife with amateur mistakes, but it showed that Moonana had potential in its vision. 

After having learned from the mistakes of Virgo Versus The Zodiacs, could there be a chance that Moonana’s next RPG could be better? What kind of weird story can gamers expect from a surreal new-wave cyberpunk-rock epic? What’s up with all these alpacas? And why is the music so awesome? Find out in our Keylocker review!

Keylocker
Developer: Moonana
Publisher:  Serenity Forge
Platforms: Windows PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (reviewed)
Release Date: September 18, 2024
Price: $19.99

In the distant future mankind has colonized Saturn. Saturnian society has banned music for over 140 years and its tyrants have installed insane laws to keep the people snuggly under their bootheels.

This is a realm where people can give themselves up to be cloned en masse and you lose your sense of self and humanity is measured in thimbles… probably because everyone is either a weird alien animal, clone, or robot.

Anyone who dares to make rhythmic sounds, infectious beats, or harmonize their vocals is imprisoned. Keylocker’s protagonist is Bobo, a goth-rock chick who is a guitarist and lead singer for her rebellious underground band. After a daring escape from her prison, she befriends a robot jukebox who becomes her drummer and begins a surreal odyssey with her friends to spark a revolution.

Indie devs making an “Earthbound-inspired” RPG set in a contemporary environment has become trite and overdone. Keylocker manages to capture the essence of what made that game filled with a sense of wonderment.

The utterly alien setting juxtaposed with the mundanity of living in a low-class caste system helps draw the player deeper into the setting and realize that Saturn isn’t much different than grunge life in the 90s.

Bobo is a likable and well-written protagonist. She is sarcastic, but naturally and believably because goth girls are inherently disaffected. It is almost a cheat for character writing, but Keylocker pulls it off so well thanks to the various comedic sequences that make her look like a dummy, which humanizes her… despite being some kind of artificial person.

When the game begins, players are given a choice of job classes Bobo. Each role will determine her combat style in turn-based battles, alter the story events, and open and close some paths for players. Each class will offer an easier to harder time since some routes will make combat easier or harder depending on Bobo’s role.

Classes like Hacker will make battles easy and Bobo can go to inaccessible areas. The Samurai class leans toward battle and honor and other characters will look up to Bobo to uphold the code of Bushido. Yet, despite the various class choices, Keylocker seemingly nudges the player toward the hardest class to master: the Sequencer.

Sequencers have poor stats and are limited with weapons. It is the class that relies most on players having good timing during the battles since Sequencers are wiped out fast but can also deal tremendous damage and generate the most electricity. It’s a class that can buff other party members and is capable of light healing, making them valuable and a risk.

Not only does Sequencer make the most sense from a narrative perspective, but it also fits Bobo’s character the most. She already walks around with an electric guitar and harnessing electricity is a major plot point in the story. Everything revolves around electricity and being able to charge and store energy to unleash attacks is thematically fitting.

If you don’t make Bobo into a Sequencer, it’s ok because there are other characters to recruit and some may fill the role. Every job class Bobo can take is represented by other party members so you’ll never feel like you will miss out.

When in battle, every action comes with a timing mini-game. Some of these are represented as Dance Dance Revolution-style directional inputs, while others involve hitting a mark on a filling gauge. Some require players to closely watch the enemy’s animations to block damage, which also comes with its bespoke micro-game.

Timing is crucial in Keylocker. Battles can deteriorate rapidly if you don’t master the timed hits and blocks. First, you will lose your charged energy, and then HP, which is salt on the wound.

Enemies follow the same rules, so they can counterattack with charged power, which can also be blocked and followed up with another counter. The stakes make even basic fights tense, keeping gamers on their toes. The Wild Arms 5-style hexagon adds an extra layer of strategy to encounters.

The placement of every character matters since every attack has its unique range. Moving can cost a turn and set back a character on the queue. Deciding to take a chance at blocking an enemy attack or to get out of reach to heal became stressful and exciting moments that kept me hooked every second in all battles.

The battles are one module of Keylocker. The other major pillar of the game is the surrealist New Wave-infused cyberpunk setting of Saturn. Most cyberpunk settings rely on the same tired gimmicks where they rip off Akira, Ghost in the Shell, or Bladerunner; depressing concrete jungles festooned with neon and rain. Keylocker strives for something different that feels like something out of a French comic or Heavy Metal magazine.

Saturn is amusingly optimistic despite the oppressive regime and cheapness of life. Some shades of Futurama‘s irreverence and wittiness make scenes amusing. The copious flavor text from examining random objects makes the world feel real and you also learn about Bobo by experiencing it through her opinions and thought process.

The overworld has an isometric POV and players can control any party member. There is some light platforming and enemies appear on the field while exploring. Not obeying the laws will raise the wanted level which makes the Saturnian police more aggressive and will more likely to initiate a battle.

Keylocker has an unconventional means of leveling up. There is no traditional EXP system here; the gang earns keys after a battle or finds them on the field and can use them to unlock abilities in the skill trees. Stats are boosted by consuming vitamins and drugs that are found or earned from side quests.

You can buy stat boosters from item vending machines like with any other consumable restorative, but the stat-boosting drugs have limited stock. Keylocker is grind-proof and relies on players mastering the timing and battle system since stock for drugs and vitamins will eventually run dry until a new vending machine is discovered. You could always grind for healing items, but if you’re good at the rhythm of the battle, you won’t need to heal.

The pixel art and animation have come a long way since Moonana’s Virgo Versus The Zodiacs. All of the graphics are consistent with a cohesive pixel art style. Every character is bouncy and full of energy. Bobo and the gang all have unique running animation from multiple angles and can jump and everyone can wear hats too.

Since Keylocker is a game about music, it is no surprise that the developers spared no expense in pouring a ton of care into the soundtrack. The band sequences with the Guitar Hero-style minigame feature many original songs that are legitimately good and listenable on their own. While exploring, the ambient score sounds appropriately desolate. It feels like the parts from the far future in Chrono Trigger where you feel like you must carry on in the face of doom.

Keylocker‘s only feature that might hold it back for some players is its impressive difficulty. The battles can be heartlessly punishing if you miss the timing. Thankfully there is an option to retry and make changes to the party composition. No matter how difficult it gets, Keylocker always plays fair, but some gamers who just want a story will be left in the dust.

Keylocker is a magnificent and creative tour de force. The charming and lurid visuals and music elevate what is already a very thoughtfully designed RPG into an engrossing and humorous adventure that keeps players guessing. The setting and characters are beautifully realized and there isn’t anything like it.

Keylocker was reviewed on a PlayStation 5 using a code provided by Serenity Forge. You can find additional information about Niche Gamer’s review/ethics policy here. Keylocker is now available for PC (via Steam), Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch.