Aaero

It's my mission in 2025 to play through as many of my random Steam games as I can and I've had this game in my library for I don't even know how long.
Today was the day for Aaero, and it exceeded my expectations. The Sand Worm level blew me away, such a cool rhythm game, looking forward to playing the rest of the levels.

If Rez and Wipeout had a neon-drenched lovechild, it would be Aaero.
Bullseyes:
✅ Unique concept and execution.
Aaero combines rhythm game mechanics with a rail shooter that feels fresh and intuitive. Tracing the ribbon while following the music and targeting enemies constantly kept me locked in to the thrilling gameplay almost all the time.
✅ Stellar soundtrack.
If you like EDM, dubstep, or bass-heavy tracks then Aaero really delivers. Every twist, beat drop, and laser blast is in sync with the gameplay, my favourites being the boss level soundtracks like Habby 9000 and Stigma.
✅ Easy and simple controls.
The twin-stick controls are very responsive, allowing precise maneuvering. It's easy to pick up but learning how to balance flight, music tracing, and shooting may take a moment to master.
✅ High replay value.
Like many rhythm games, the scoring system, unlockable difficulties, and global leaderboards make replaying levels fun and addictive. Scores are based on how perfectly you trace the music ribbon and shoot enemies, and trust me it is quite difficult to perfect both, so many replays will be needed.
Dead Zones:
⚠️ Perfect laser shots need better gesturing.
Perfectly timing the laser shots requires a good internal beat rhythm, as sometimes the soundtrack's music will make you off-beat. This mechanic of perfectly shooting lasers eventually clicked when I got the master levels, but the game offers little to help you practice and develop this skill. An audiovisual or haptic indicator of the beat would be helpful to better time the laser shots.
⚠️ There is limited musical variety.
If you're not into electronic music, especially dubstep and bass, the soundtrack may not be your cup of tea. The game doesn’t offer much outside this genre, so the experience hinges heavily on whether you vibe with the music.
⚠️ No narrative or world-building.
While the gameplay design is unique and fun, the world of Aaero is more abstract than story-driven.
Verdict: 8/10
In the full mix, Aaero provides a pulse-pounding rhythm-shooter experience that is easy to pick up but also hard to master. It may be limited with musical variety and content, but the core gameplay is engaging and unique. And if you like games such as Rez, Thumper, or Audiosurf then I think it's worth giving it a try.

Pretty unique musical rhythm game to be honest. How much you enjoy it will probably be tied to how much you enjoy the music. Personally I don't really like the game a whole bunch. I find it frustrating when trying to deal with the incoming given the occasional wonkiness of how you target stuff. But that's not a huge deal breaker because practice makes things better I guess.
The thing I don't like? You need to do well enough to progress. It's not enough to finish a level, you need those stars to unlock new levels and difficulty levels. So if you're somewhat mediocre at the game you're just going to miss out on a bunch. I know there's a chill mode, but that seems to rely on you at least finishing some of the levels via Normal at a minimum.
In any case, there aren't a lot of games like it and it's arguably not a bad game by any meaning of the word. Just not one I'm too thrilled to ever touch again.

Aaero, developed by the small indie team at Mad Fellows and published by Wired Productions, is a game that boldly blends genres in a way that feels both nostalgic and entirely fresh. It’s a rhythm-action shooter at its core, but labeling it as such undersells what makes it special. It borrows the sensibilities of rail shooters and fuses them with high-energy electronic music, creating a hybrid that appeals to both rhythm game fans and those who crave fast, skill-based gameplay. Rather than simply syncing button presses to a beat, Aaero demands a constant coordination of motion, timing, and target management, making it far more active and engaging than the average rhythm title.
The central mechanic involves piloting a sleek, futuristic spacecraft through abstract environments that twist, pulse, and transform to the beat of the music. With the left analog stick, players guide their ship along glowing ribbons of light that represent the melodic line of the track, while the right stick is used to lock onto enemies and fire missiles in time with the beat. These ribbons aren't just for show—they’re the spine of each track and following them accurately boosts your score and star rating. Each environment is designed to match the mood and structure of the music, creating a strong sense of harmony between audio and visual elements. When you're locked in and everything is clicking, the experience becomes a sort of audiovisual flow state that’s hard to put into words.
What elevates Aaero beyond its mechanical premise is its soundtrack and how tightly the gameplay is woven around it. The game features a curated lineup of high-energy electronic and bass music artists, including Noisia, Flux Pavilion, Neosignal, and The Prototypes, among others. The music isn't just background noise—it's the framework around which the entire game is built. Each beat, bass drop, and vocal cue triggers an environmental change, enemy appearance, or visual effect. There are moments when the screen explodes in sync with the music, and if you’re hitting every ribbon and locking on at the right time, it genuinely feels like you’re performing the track rather than simply reacting to it.
Despite its slick presentation and intense pacing, Aaero is not a game for the faint of heart. Its difficulty curve becomes steep rather quickly, and by the time you reach the higher difficulty levels, you’ll need to rely on muscle memory, precision, and fast reflexes to survive. Enemies come in waves, sometimes overwhelming the screen while environmental hazards like laser grids, rotating blades, or collapsing tunnels add to the challenge. Unlike most rhythm games where missing a beat is mildly penalizing, in Aaero, small mistakes can mean the difference between a five-star run and complete failure. There is a Chillout mode that allows you to experience the game without risk of death, which is a thoughtful inclusion for those who simply want to enjoy the ride or practice sections before tackling them at full speed.
Visually, Aaero is stylish without being overbearing. The environments range from barren deserts and mechanical wastelands to surreal sci-fi landscapes that pulse with light and energy. The aesthetic draws influence from minimalism, but with just enough detail and color variation to make each track feel distinct. These visuals, combined with a steady framerate and clean HUD design, make it easy to stay focused on the action. However, some players might find certain segments too visually noisy, especially when the screen fills with effects and incoming fire. In these moments, the clarity of the action can suffer slightly, particularly for those trying to chase high scores or perfect runs.
Progression in Aaero is tied to your performance. Each level can award up to five stars based on how well you trace the ribbons, your shooting accuracy, and whether you complete the level without dying. These stars are used to unlock more tracks and harder difficulty modes, giving the game a satisfying sense of progression. However, perfectionists will find that earning five stars on every track—especially on Master difficulty—requires near-perfect execution. It’s a game that asks a lot from the player, but for those who are willing to engage with it deeply, it offers a great deal of satisfaction and replayability.
From a technical perspective, the game runs smoothly on most platforms. On PC, it’s well-optimized and works great even on modest hardware. The controls feel tight and responsive, which is crucial in a game that demands such precision. The only real technical hiccups reported are occasional frame dips in certain visually intense sections, but these are rare and don’t significantly impact the overall experience. Audio mixing is sharp, and the game makes sure that both the music and the effects are distinct enough to serve their roles without clashing.
While Aaero didn’t make a huge splash in the mainstream market, it has developed a loyal niche following, particularly among fans of rhythm and arcade-style shooters. There’s a sense that this game was crafted with a lot of care and love for the genres it draws from. It doesn’t try to be everything to everyone—it’s intense, stylish, sometimes punishing, but always committed to delivering a unique fusion of rhythm and action. In a genre landscape that often sticks to safe formulas, Aaero stands out as a bold and exciting outlier.
For players seeking a rhythm game that’s more kinetic and tactile than the norm, Aaero offers a singular experience. It’s not just about hearing the beat—it’s about flying through it, reacting to it, and mastering it. Every track becomes a test of reflexes, rhythm, and focus. Though it may not be the most accessible or forgiving title, it’s undeniably compelling for those willing to meet its challenge. Aaero is a hidden gem that successfully blurs the lines between music, gameplay, and visual design, and in doing so, creates something that feels fresh and unforgettable.
Rating: 9/10

I've had this game for awhile now. Fun to pick up every once in awhile. Great music in the game and when you get going in rhythm it can be very satisfying. Simple but also challenging, I would definitely recommend just based on the music alone, if thats your thing.

Great rail rhythm game that is a blend between Rez and Thumper, but with a dirty Drum and Bass soundtrack. Best enjoyed either with a bass heavy sound system (for everyone to enjoy) or a good set of closed headphones.
Enjoy the range of tracks and has been a great way to find some new artists to listen to. Both the upbeat and the chill out tracks.

It's a very good rhythm game. Challenging but not too difficult.
It took me 13hrs to 100% but I had a great time doing it!