Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson is a genre-blending anomaly that manages to work remarkably well. As a turn-based deck-building rhythm game crafted by musicians who truly appreciate the art, it fills a niche that many straightforward rhythm games miss. Much like Hi-Fi Rush before it, Fretless seamlessly combines gameplay mechanics with musical elements, making it accessible for those with less rhythmic prowess, yet cleverly rewarding for those with a musical background. It proudly draws inspiration from genre giants like Slay the Spire and Balatro, but it's the dedication to the music underlying each mechanic that elevates it above other deck builders.

Music is the lifeblood of Fretless. Every pixel in its retro-inspired world resonates with melodies and percussion. Wandering through a flower garden releases a series of soothing notes, akin to brushing your hands through a set of hanging bells. Rob, the silent yet expressive musician protagonist, confronts monsters inspired by instruments, each using the game's diverse soundscape to impede his journey to the Battle of the Bands. The only way to counter this musical onslaught is by assembling your own setlist, the essence of its deck-building concept: crafting music with your instruments.

Rob can wield one of four instruments: an acoustic guitar, a bass, a synthesizer, and an eight-string electric guitar. Each instrument comes with a unique set of "riffs" forming a deck, and although you can customize your loadout, each has a distinctive core mechanic that makes them notably different. The bass features a "slap" meter that can be strategically increased to amplify attacks significantly. The synthesizer, quickly becoming my favorite, utilizes "status FX" to multiply damage, enabling you to defeat powerful bosses in just a turn or two if played correctly. The eight-string electric is perhaps the most challenging but rewarding to master, with its risk-reward playstyle that sacrifices your health for powerful attacks, ultimately summoning a formidable ally to sway the battle in your favor.

Each instrument demands a different strategy and a deep understanding of how various cards interact for effective use. There’s a surprising level of detail in each deck, and every attack, spell, and status FX you employ includes a timed rhythm element that, if executed well, enhances their effectiveness. Having played games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which also integrated timing into its turn-based battles but often poorly communicated dodge and parry windows, it was refreshing to experience Fretless, where blocking and power-boosting are tied directly to the music's rhythm. After hours with the synthesizer, its riffs became second nature, enabling me to deliver a symphony of damage effortlessly.

The rhythm elements are just one part of optimizing a deck. Each turn, you can play up to three cards with varying (or repeated) effects, each aligning with an instrument’s playstyle. The synthesizer, for example, has cards that apply status FX, followed by damage cards that increase output if an enemy is afflicted by certain conditions. Strategically sequencing these cards to chain their effects is the crux of its deck-building. Each turn, you draw new cards and must adapt to what you have, determining the difference between a wasted turn and a decisive victory. You begin Fretless with the acoustic guitar, which with its damage-dealing and shield-building cards, lulls you into a false sense of simplicity, only for subsequent instruments to explore the game’s deep mechanics in surprising ways.

PC

Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson

• BACK-OF-THE-BOX QUOTE

  *The sound of a rockstar breaking a guitar on stage*

• TYPE OF GAME

  Turn-based deck-building RPG with rhythm elements.

• LIKED

  A world and battle system built upon a banger soundtrack.

• DISLIKED

  The occasional odd bug here and there.

• DEVELOPER

  Ritual Studios

• PLATFORMS

  PC

• RELEASE DATE

  July 17, 2025

• PLAYED

  ~9 hours

All of this would be incomplete without Fretless’ outstanding, varied soundtrack. Rob’s choice of instrument dictates the battle music for many encounters, while bosses bring their unique sounds. Fretless encompasses an array of genres, from the electronic beats of the synthesizer to the distorted heavy metal of the eight-string guitar. Yet, in quieter moments, it transitions into a relaxing, nostalgic ambiance reminiscent of retro RPGs that inspired its visual style. Rather than relying on familiar licensed tracks, Fretless crafts distinct sonic identities, each deeply embedded in its world and battles. While the card-battling system is deep, as a former musician, I find Fretless shines brightest when it embraces its passion for music, building its universe around a shared understanding of musical composition.

Fretless is teeming with clever worldbuilding puns tied to its musical theme. It cleverly twists traditional RPG elements with a musical flair. Inns, where you recover health, feature a sign with a quarter rest, symbolizing rest. Equipment loadouts consist of mods like pedals, pickups, and strings for your instruments. It’s as if the entire world is infused with musicality, a charming theme that rekindled my passion for musical creation, a passion I sometimes fear I've lost. Music is a constant in my life. I collaborate with a large musical group weekly in New York City. Yet, after shifting from a professional music career to writing about video games a decade ago, composing music became a background activity in my daily life. Occasionally, I discover a new song, an artist releases a fresh album, or I attend a live performance, and my musical inclinations are reignited. Fretless evoked that same feeling, all within the framework of a well-designed deck builder.