Thumper Is Pure Catharsis

Audio levels are a bit messy at times, and some parts were accidentally recorded at 30fps, but other than that I'm pretty happy with this one. The world needs to know how good this game is.
Patreon: / textalks
Twitter: / textalkstoomuch

[@MaxArceus]

This is the most accurate description of this game yet. I'm playing in VR, and it's like one of those nightmares that you just cannot wake up from. Just beat lvl 9 today.

[@lamp4498]

That I would consider something respectable

[@AussieAlex]

👏👏

[@Brunoenribeiro]

Can't agree more. I fucking love this game and I can't get tired of people digging it. Even then this is the first time someone nails it so perfectly. The rhythm game you beaten... so true.

[@alexbonrad1320]

FYI, when you slam down and send the shockwave up, it'll cause the tendrils and other things "growing" off the side of the track to turn red and shrink away. That's what the kills are.

[@fakskis]

I BEAT THIS GAME TWICE AND NEVER NOTICED THAT YOU KILL THE TENTACLE THINGS, WOAH

[@wolfgangervin2582]

My only complaint about this game is that you have to stumble and guess your way into the more advanced scoring tech. Although I think it's much more of a taste thing than an actual flaw.

[@Exetior_Jina_Lover]

The home page for thumper says it. ​@@wolfgangervin2582

[@zanzaklaus2496]

I like how those freeze slam things are almost like how in action games there'll be some kind of freeze right before a lot of things get hit by something really powerful, or before an explosion, like in a Vlambeer game. It gives it an impact, like you've really achieved a great feat of strength.

[@MaxDunk]

It's called a "hit stop," if you were curious.

[@brianbailey904]

The ending is really cool. The whole world exists with rhythm, it’s like a fundamental law of physics that everything lives or dies by. Only when you get to the final boss (which is definitely like the creator) do you face someone with the ability to disrupt rhythm. It’s a genius and sadistic plot twist.

[@doubleplayer6328]

I picked this game up solely due to its teaser trailer and its "slogan", and I love it. I should one day perfect all the levels on non-Plus difficulty, but it's pretty hard. One thing you haven't mentioned that I really liked is that the game doesn't teach you more than you need to know to beat the game. It doesn't tell you that if you do a jump while you're already flying or if you do a perfect curve while flying then you'll fly indefinitely, until you either smash down on a beat or make an imperfect turn at a curve. Another thing is that if you do create a blinking beat, thumping on it after taking a hit will give you your armor back, which I find really neat, as it requires the player to do well to be rewarded. I have to admit I haven't felt the need to restart the whole level after resuming the game, but maybe I'm just too stubborn for my own good. Also the kills at the scoring screens refer to how many tentacles on the sides of the track you've hit with the echoes, you can see that they glow red and wane after the echo passes through them. I know this is a lot of words, but I just love this game and I can't stop pouring words about it

[@AussieAlex]

😀

[@orangemonks894]

Two things the game failed to communicate to me were perfect turns and how they allow you to continue flying, and slamming on the dots. Other than those two I enjoyed every second of this game.

[@NaviaryMusic]

When I was a beginner I thought that high pitched ting on the perfect turns was actually an indicator you almost failed the turn, and thus, should have pushed the joy stick sooner. It felt off when I learned I actually should be going for the ting!

[@raiguard]

It's a shame that you quit uploading. This video is absolute gold and is one of the best descriptions of Thumper I have ever heard. Bravo, man!

[@TexTalksSometimes]

Thanks! I haven't completely quit, I just haven't been motivated lately. I'll put out something else eventually. I do a lot of writing, it's just the everything else (recording, editing, rendering, etc) that I have trouble getting myself to do.

[@MarkToast99]

I like your take on the slowdowns on the "kills." It really does feel like you're fighting the rhythm. I took it another way, though. I see it as the game punishing you for trying to get more points. In other words, you're not fighting the rhythm so much as the rhythm is fighting you. Naturally, you'd expect something that gives you more points in a game to be harder to accomplish, but Thumper takes it one extra step. It's not just that you have to do something more challenging to get extra points, it's that the game makes itself harder on you for succeeding at it. It's saying "fuck you for getting that, I'm gonna throw your rhythm completely off by adding pauses in here." I have never seen another game that punishes the player for their success, but it fits so incredibly perfectly in this game. It really drives home that this is a game you are actively fighting against while you play it.

[@KeifersIsAwesome]

Can we just talk about how good Level 8 is? It's my favorite level from a purely rhythm and satisfaction standpoint. The beat of this level is the most regular and consistent one you get since level 3 or so. When I hit this level and finished it, it felt amazing. The beat is incredible and kept me more hooked than any other level in the game. Level 9 is more amazing to me from a challenge perspective, and the conceptual and visual glory of the final stages within the level, but Level 8 is by far the most satisfying level in the game to me. It was on some different shit.

[@WCGamesOfficial]

The fact that you get TWO jutters and an elevated screeching noise when slamming a boss spark is the sole reason i started learning the slam techs because that is one of the best feelings I've ever had when playing a rhythm game

[@Arcanilumia]

Another thing I want to note is that this game is also designed so well that it avoids motion sickness entirely in vr... Somehow. I tend to get motion sick easily in vr games, especially with things this fast, but never once did I feel it while playing this game, even in the ending

[@DanteMustLearn]

Thumpers visuals gave me anxiety and I love it!

[@Kitanvail]

Really interesting analysis as always Tex. I always appreciate when I see you've uploaded. Keep up the good work!

[@Xxkxkdkkskxxk]

The message in thumper is, if you want to win, you have to earn it

[@One_of_Many750]

The Sounds, The Visuals, The Everything About Thumper Excites Me!!!!

[@frozenfan3092]

Agree about the need to play this through instead of bits here and there. Its amazing but can only imagine how taxing it is on your brain regarding response time. I played the 1st level and had to turn it off because it was late but I will sit down with this for a good few hours easy and get nicely tucked in. The visuals and audio are so addictive.

[@goldneko]

Love the video, love this game, you've earned yourself a new sub.

[@Sporbb]

Wow, almost every time you cut away from a clip of Thumper I think "Aw, I wanted to hear more of that." That's veeerrryyy interesting for something that isn't quite music.

[@gaklimited]

'The game seems to be panicking' that's exactly what I felt on the second last level too

[@gaklimited]

And also when my vibrator is missing, I just use my dual Shock 4 with thumper on instead

[@civicrider5556]

@@gaklimited TF 🤣

[@ICantHandleThis210]

​@@gaklimitedWHAT

[@gaklimited]

@@ICantHandleThis210 Did I stutter?

[@miles3101]

The dark souls of rythm games? *jk*

[@lamp4498]

I mean... you’re not wrong though

[@jasonlal9570]

I mean, dark souls is fundamentally a rhythm game too, so thumper would be the thumper of rhythm games.

[@ejaymes00]

*Dark Souls is Nicer*

[@krakenapples2303]

Isnt the hardest rhythm game muse dash? I mean one of the levels are literally programmed to be unbeatable.

[@ghyprh]

@@krakenapples2303 I'd say IIDX would be

[@vividpath1089]

I don't even remember how I discovered this game, I think I was just watching Geometry Dash videos and then my mind just went "search up Thumper we heard about it before"

[@AFSFlash]

I do remember by stumbling on vr store. Asking what the hell is that? Watching level 9. I take it. Purchased.

[@frostyflakgun]

My brain, mashed potatoes, help

[@lovestrucktheidiot]

As far as I recall, this is the video that introduced me to Thumper, and I couldn't be more grateful for that. It's never going to be a game I can play (terrible rhythm and chronic hand pain), but I find myself repeatedly coming back to compilation videos of the levels because there's just... something about the oppressiveness that pulls me back.

[@jsatcok]

man I just wanna say thank you after the countless viewing of this video, I love this so much, you should really make more content like this every time I see this, I install the game right away

[@zyten]

This is just on point. I did finish this game yesterday with all achievements available on Steam and I have to say: This game is awesome but creepy at the same time. You did summarise everything as well as it could be said.

[@nosamstrebor5356]

once again, I am astounded at how much I would love to play Thumper right now! I really love your analysis of games, Keep making things!

[@BIOCOLA.BEVANDAANAL]

2:00 異論は認めない

[@joelforsyth7396]

Honestly, there's a lot of catharsis in a well-done analysis, whether it is of something that I previously cared about or not.

[@thatmanjames1647]

This game is cathartic, your vids are cathartic. You've just sold me on this game, nice job, I'm always happy to see you've uploaded a new video

[@TwiztidMenace]

Just found this game recently. So well made and very addicting. This is the best explanation of this game you could make.

[@RainbowsClone]

I interpreted the story as the head being a strange alien force that planned to destroy earth, and humans sent the beetle to destroy the head before it could destroy earth. And inside the beetle are two humans, one controlling the beetle and another giving support. Idk, just what I interpret it as.

[@videogameyapiap6267]

all your videos are so good

[@videogameyapiap6267]

also, NOTIFICATION SQUAD BABYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@nozz71]

Mate, your commentary of this game is legendary

[@EricGranata]

Great analysis and insight. This game is bonkers and I don’t think I’ll make it to the end.

[@workingonanames]

I want to thank you for jump starting my memory of bit trip runner.

[@Fronslin]

I got the game today, fantastic purchase, once again, thank you for uploading Tex!

[@lifereadguy9933]

I finished level 9 by the skin of my teeth a few minutes ago. More than 3/4s of my marks were C lmao but I'm just happy I survived the levels

[@GamingOverload]

2:44 WHAT

[@whereami2700]

I honestly hope that you continue to make new videos. I find all the videos you make interesting as well as educational. Keep up the good work and try not to let anything discourage you from making these.

[@Rashomon20s]

I’m Super Excited for the Physical Release of THUMPER from Limited Run Games (PS4 & Switch)

[@ScottSmith-fe6vr]

thank you for spoiler alert. literally first time in my life ive said this i just got thumper and im loving every second. your analysis is perfectly describing my thoughts on the game

[@skitteryboospeedpaint]

Dude this game is awesome and good job man.

[@NitnerockBobarr]

Excellent analysis. :) Good job. You should do more of that.

[@hotdogsplinter]

God, I love this game and this review is spot on.

[@tink6365]

I read a cool fan theory somewhere, in Thumper you are the antagonist. You play as a virus trying to infiltrate a "computer" of some sort, and each level/boss is a firewall trying to keep you out.

[@TS_Mind_Swept]

3:00 It definitely does, and it knows how harsh it is, so much so that it gives you rest periods in between a few of the sections LUL 11:06 apparently you didn't notice those sections though..(I mean it's not consistent padding, but it's definitely there; also the brief periods after each level give you a short moment to breathe :p) 11:48 lmbo, relatable MaxLOL

[@RageMagikarp]

Never been a rhythm game type of guy, but I think you've convinced me on this one. Gonna have to pick it up next payday! Are you going to analyze homestuck's music at any point? It's one of the only things about homestuck I actually feel I understand with any depth, and I would be eager to hear what tapestry you might see woven within.

[@TexTalksSometimes]

RageMagikarp I don't think I'm really cut out to do something like that, so it's doubtful. I would love to see something like that though!

[@Nechrome9]

Damn dude this was genius

[@melon4735]

Two Homestuck uploads in a row? You spoil us.. I'm fine, I'm fine, no problems here. Nope!

[@minsklit5811]

Melon Man Lol.

[@julesfleuret3205]

Just finished the game with Level 3 rated S, this vid made me want to play more!

[@BCWasbrough]

Thumper is a beautiful game and I am absolutely saddened that I no longer have the reflexes to play it.

[@Ilegator]

What a great review. I finished the game some days ago and I agree everything you said.

[@DouglasFFFFF]

Thumpers track actually moves upward

[@BrokenGodEnt]

I can't wait to beat this game. Im on level 7 now. I could have probably finished it already, but my goal is to get S rank on every sublevel and therefore every level. So far I've done it all the way to about halfway through level 7. Hoping that means I'll get through the whole think on S rank, but only time will tell I guess.

[@legendsix]

Good luck, buddy. This game won´t make it easy for you. I played every level, but not on S rank. Good luck anyway!

[@riceee79]

i love this game so much dude i’ve bought it like 3 times and i’m honestly probably gonna buy it again on steam :))

[@Postcinct]

when tex uploads 👌 I always avoided the bit trip games, because I first saw them on the xbox live indie games marketplace, which was basically greenlight before greenlight was a thing. I probably missed out and I gathered that when I saw them popping up in the actual storefronts of various platforms. Thumper looks sexy as all hell though, that visceral beefiness looks really appealing, and as of your "Spoiler Warning" I'm gonna' have to stop the video here and get back to it after I check the game out. Still, great video as always Tex, from the half of it I've seen anyway.

[@TexTalksSometimes]

Thanks man have fun

[@EVALM8]

Actually kills are when you see tentacles on the side of the track, you pound a thump you will hear a high pitched noise and they will turn red and go away

[@Omar-xi1kf]

Not a fan of the amount of times you compared the other game and Thumper. It was mentioned Thumper was a 180 degree turn to the other game and that was a good comparison. But, that's enough to describe Thumper. And something that should be noted, kills aren't the pauses on thumps. Kills are the tentacles on the side of the track that screech and die when the shockwave passes by them. And the purpose of the beetle was nor at all to make the player feel insignificant. The developers white literally said that they just wanted something different and not something overused like a spaceship or a runner or etc. Everything else was a fairly good description though. Not speaking hate, just some fair criticism on some things stated. Nice one

[@genericgorilla]

The kills are the tentacles you, well, killed by pounding the notes. They make a screeching sound when you kill them, so it's pretty fucking violent

[@crinklyonion1410]

I got this game as soon as the switch came out, and I am still only on world 6.

[@Johnytomm]

level 5 is a fucking massive hurdle that brutally forces you to get actually good at the game, once you get past it nothing seems as challenging anymore and each level feels like it's going down in difficulty

[@cyberlivion8363]

In Thumper you are not in control

[@leociresi4292]

Tentomon vs Relinqushed!

[@chryoyo4305]

this was amazing!

[@Andypooh37]

The rhytm game of DOOM.

[@shawn656able]

Honestly think humans are more a pest. I like the beetle.

[@somniloguy12]

It takes a very good critic to convince me to buy something which I don't feel very much initial enthusiasm for. Let's see if I can scrape together 20 bucks.

[@WobblesandBean]

Thumper is the SMT of rhythm games: You're tossed into a hostile, apocalyptic world with little to no context, you somehow overcome, destroy the nebulous force that's responsible for the state of the world, then fade into the beyond. Does SpaceBug become the new dimensional architect? Does it die? Who the fuck knows, but I need a cigarette after watching this.

[@jsatcok]

I fucking loved this video man! Keep this up and you'll have a huge audience, I really hope you will!

[@perturbedxtirade7428]

Nice job.

[@aaroncaloza4254]

"the ultimate virus"

[@Jandejongjong]

Thumper can be played in VR Must try

[@kira991]

yeah it can be played on vr

[@cachotognax3600]

Sometimes I feel like the writing is... trying too hard? but honestly I'm not complaining, I like this stuff, you make it well.

[@D1sc0rd-]

trying too hard? nonsense.

[@jltplease]

If only this made it to the arcade.... Has it?

[@TheBazz1998]

com back daddi

[@honkatatonka]

Thanks for the spoiler warning, will come back when I did it. ... When.... just beat lvl 4 in VR. I'm exhausted :)

[@ДаниилАмиров-ь5б]

hmst.. what do you think about shapes and beats? its different atmosphere ofc but anyway heckin love then rythm games have plot) i would like to watch you play thumper

[@freealter]

Hey, do you ever plan on releasing those other Homstuck videos?

[@ahva2280]

I wonder when he's going to upload a video again.

[@fakskis]

For anyone that sees the Thumper footage in this video and thinks "woah, that's too fast/chaotic for me, I could never do that!", a lot of the footage is sped up (for some reason), the first 4-5 levels aren't too bad as soon as you get to 7-9 though, it do be kinda fast, not gonna lie

[@cacklecough320]

Play+ mode :)

[@EVALM8]

Its not a jelly fish its a starfish

[@harevalkyrie5373]

...Audiosurf

[@ambersummer22]

Must be Bit Trip 2.0

[@trainofdestructiont.o.d9443]

11:28 no it's fine my guys I found it weird that I was able to pl!y with hearing the musicn

[@el-jayenglish9548]

Do I recognize your voice from a colab vid with Select Frontier?

[@TexTalksSometimes]

El-Jay English nope! Don't even know who that is

[@chavdarkaloyanov9198]

AMOGUS

[@eatbagelsman584]

The DOOM of rhythm games: Thumper, beware the triangle.

[@eatbagelsman584]

you should hire me as a title manager, it's probably better than the CARS guy and that dude turned into a millionaire.

[@batyr123_]

level 5-1 is fucked. been stuck for ages now

[@yorkie4295]

The only game that gives me the same feeling is Sekiro.

[@TheBazz1998]

*Checks if Tex uploaded* *Finds new video* *watches* What a fucking legend. You deserve the WORLD BITCH (AND/OR MORE VIEWS).

[@KrazyKuBoi1]

sick vid!!! very well made!! Instant subscribe !!

[@TexTalksSometimes]

Not enough exclamation marks try harder

[@dogzday]

;_;

[@kingsquid3473]

Joey Ku your being sarcastic, right??

[@KrazyKuBoi1]

King Squid do i sound like I'm joking???? cuz I'm not

[@kingsquid3473]

its kind sad if you arnt

[@Zoltan_Matravolgyi]

Is this game only for VR?

[@Anivation64]

yer babu

[@TheGobberShop]

This game and a tab of acid go hand n hand

[@edenrav]

Tex didnt return for 4/13? my life is ruined ;-;

[@CallsignAegis]

The metal beetle name is bronze And the golden is knight Boom name solved

[@dycotomaskey9258]

Dude have you seen the newest post on mspaintadventures, the extended zodiac

[@TexTalksSometimes]

Ian Mcguire I mean I did now! Seems like kind of nothing. Am I missing something?

[@dycotomaskey9258]

Tex Talks it explains the aspect system in depth and introduces how derse and prospit are chosen

[@pipistrele4414]

I can mostly agree on positive qualities of the game, but if approaching it as a "rhythm game", it's arguably pretty bad - patterns can get too chaotic to actually decipher, visual cues in a lot of cases are more important than aural ones, and there's just ton of trial-n-error; on later levels, the gameplay loop is less of "use sense of rhythm to the fullest" and more of "use reflexes to not fly into crap". Approaching it as a rhythm game is what made me initially hate Thumper, and only after rewiring myself to treat is more as a runner than anything, I could get actual enjoyment out of the thing.

[@claussmirca2714]

Someone please tell how i can get extra points from kill.not even one level with kills points.what the fuck i am doing wrong?i play it on ps4 and i cant get rank s on sub level and i saw videos on youtube with extra points from kill but kill what?

[@AFSFlash]

On tutorial stage 3 you gonna learn to fly and Pound the next blue gem. This create a wave on the highway. Waves destroys incoming (decorate) tentacles and counts for kills. You need to fly to pounds for kills.

[@melodyredacted1015]

is this channel dead?

[@TexTalksSometimes]

Malachy Smith It's on hiatus. My studies and various other things are taking precedence.

[@melodyredacted1015]

as they should be. and thank you for your response, its very uplifting to hear from you directly and so soon after my comment. when i'm able to save my money better, i'll certainly be donating to your patreon asap

[@mikeoxsbigg1]

This is gross in psvr.

[@schoolemail3999]

n9