Review of ‘BEATABLE’ Early Access: Ingeniously Designed Casual Rhythm Game with Hand-Tracking

So you’re wondering if the hand-tracking on the Quest is up to scratch for rhythm games, which demand quick reactions and precise input. I tried out BEATABLE in its early access phase, and while it’s perfectly serviceable for casual play, I couldn’t shake the feeling that it might not be up to the task for those seeking pinpoint accuracy.

BEATABLE Overview:

Developer: XR Games
Available On: Horizon Store (Quest 2 and above)
Reviewed On: Quest 3
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Price: $10

Keep in mind that since BEATABLE is still in Early Access, this review is all about its current version and doesn’t assign a score. The developers may make changes over time.

Gameplay

BEATABLE works whether you’re sitting or standing, needing just a small section of your desk or any flat surface. You play by tapping on four lanes where beats move towards you. It only requires as much space as a keyboard and is a nice change for players compared to more physically demanding games like Beat Saber. It even includes a mixed reality mode, which is rather nifty.

The game is user-friendly, much like Beat Saber, but instead of complex button mapping like in Guitar Hero, you just tap the table using your palm. While beginners can pick it up fast, mastering it is a different story. The game involves some fun challenges like finger-snapping and quick notes, but in my opinion, the hand-tracking might still have too much lag for the consistent muscle memory required at higher levels.

A Tweet from Money Mark of the Beastie Boys praised XR Games for BEATABLE, calling it an instant classic and shared a video showcasing hand-tracking on Meta Quest VR.

I found the Quest’s tracking to be acceptable for casual play, but didn’t quite feel confident if I was hitting notes perfectly. Achieving that expertise might need experimenting with hand positions as consistency is key. Before you start playing, make sure your playspace aligns well with your table, and proper lighting can significantly improve your experience.

Immersion

I’ve got mixed feelings about BEATABLE’s immersive quality. Rhythm games usually make you feel awesome, despite how silly you might look. I’m not ashamed of looking a bit ridiculous, and you shouldn’t be either. But that feeling of being cool is somewhat missing for me with BEATABLE.

Although hitting the beats is exciting, and the game has interesting patterns for advanced songs, it doesn’t provide much beyond desktop tapping. Unlike Beat Saber or Dance Dance Revolution, which can make you feel like a rockstar or a dancer even if you aren’t, BEATABLE doesn’t give you a sense of a grand experience. It does creatively tackle the challenge of hand-tracking games lacking haptic feedback by using the table as a physical button, which is smart, though I wish it was more reliable.

Comfort

BEATABLE is comfortable to play since you can enjoy it sitting or standing with no need for virtual movements. However, if you’re tapping your desk too hard or often, consider using a foam pad to cushion the blows and soften the noise.

Conclusion

For casual players, the precision BEATABLE offers is satisfactory, though I question its potential for developing expert-level skill. The innovative use of the table for feedback is clever, and it would be great to see the developers further refine the game to overcome the Quest’s hand-tracking limitations. If they manage to do that and keep up with entertaining new music, BEATABLE could pave the way for a fresh subgenre in the extended reality gaming world.

This assessment, again, reflects the game in its early stages, so keep an open mind as it evolves.