Fresh Tracks is an innovative rhythm-roguelite skiing game developed and published by Buffalo Buffalo, an indie studio based in Vancouver. Drawing on deep musical collaboration, the game features 28 original tracks created in partnership with Berklee College of Music. With its genre-bending design and musical ambition, Fresh Tracks sets out to carve a new path for rhythm and action games alike.
How Fresh Tracks
At its core, Fresh Tracks is an on-rails rhythm combat game. It blends the precision timing of Beat Saber or Pistol Whip with roguelite progression and storytelling. You play as Skaii, a chosen warrior tasked with uniting the fractured gods of the land of Norwyn and stopping the rise of Mar, Queen of Terror. Players choose from three weapons, each with its own ultimate ability ranging from fiery destruction to healing. Plus these weapons slash through obstacles and enemies while syncing movement and attacks to the beat.
Each run reveals new narrative threads, upgrades, and divine companions, encouraging replayability through skill refinement and discovery. With combat, dodging, and progression all tied to the rhythm, the result is a gameplay flow that’s as musical as it is thrilling.
A game like this does not work without good music. With that said, it sure does deliver. There are classical, rock, rap inspired tracks with what I was shown. There are some cool lo-fi tracks as well. It often reminds me of Tetris Effect.
How Does It Look?
Fresh Tracks embraces a stylized, mythic art direction, blending fantasy landscapes with rhythmic visual cues. From glowing trails across snowy mountain peaks to enemies that pulse in time with the beat, the world of Norwyn is both magical and musical. Each level evolves with the music, and the dynamic environments enhance the immersive audio-visual experience.
While Fresh Tracks is a small indie game, an area I would level up in would be the visuals. I think the direction that they went with here is cost effective, resource effective yet still delivers. With that said, I would go with a realistic style to make the game feel more premium and unique. The stylized art direction makes the snow look plastic and you don’t feel the powder. At the same time what they have delivered could scale to be played on anything.
A Worthy Dance
Fresh Tracks is heading to Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, with a release window expected soon. Designed for 10 to 15 hours of initial play, the game’s roguelite depth and rhythmic combat mechanics promise plenty of reasons to return and ride again. You can wishlist the game here and follow for more updates.
