Rhythm Doctor Tips for beginners

Don't Worry Too Much About Calibration

Unless your calibration is wildly off, it is more important to get used to the timing than have the input lag perfectly set and constantly fiddling with the settings just makes it harder to learn.

If you are a beginner in rhythm games, running the calibration multiple times just gives a different result every time and you're better off even with the default settings.

The Sense Of Tempo And Rhythm Is A Learned Skill

If you do not have a history with rhythm games or music, it will take some time to even get the hang of the basics. And there is no way around of learning it properly. If learning to keep a tempo and execute different rhythms to tap along a song isn't your kind of fun, this probably isn't a game for you.

In the beginning it took me several hours over multiple days just to start getting passing grades with the constant rhythms and same thing again with the irregular ones (looking at you Puff Piece).

I found it less stressful just to accept the failures and play the level through enjoying the music even after multiple misses instead of immediately flinching and restarting. Only end of act levels are cut short due to too many mistakes.

Learning takes time and it is not possible to force faster. Sometimes taking a break is better than endlessly grinding a hard song, after a few hours doing something else or a nights sleep you may find yourself clearing a level easily. Now I find myself playing the best half zoned out when my finger seems to just move by itself instead of consciously trying to react.

You Can Use Any Key

Find what is most comfortable to you and maybe try switching it up occasionally to avoid getting sore from repetitive strain.

You can use any finger and key including a game controller.

Also playing 2 player mode (press left or right on the level select) with both hands is fun to try.

Audio Cues Are More Important Than Visuals

Especially the boss levels like to go all out on the visuals, so it can be helpful to close your eyes and concentrate only on the audio. Other levels do this too to a lesser extent, like moving part of the cardiogram off screen, but the audio cues are always there.

Also try to learn to find the beat in the actual songs instead of always relying on the game cues.

There Is No Shame On Slowing Down Or Speeding Up The Level

Pressing down on the level select allows you to make the level slower or faster. So if something feels too fast, you can practice it slower, or if the slow tempo feels hard to count, you can speed it up.

The game neither punishes nor rewards on playing on different speed and the grades count the same.

The Levels Build On Each Other

Trying to rush through the game with bare minimum B:s just makes it more frustrating to progress after a while. Occasionally replaying the earlier levels and trying to get at least A:s on them makes it easier when the rhythms are combined.

Also try to concentrate on the overall rhythm built from the single ones and prioritise what you should be paying attention at each moment.

Don't Stress About Gettings S:s

Getting everything down to even pass the levels and get A:s takes time and practice. And performing everything consistently is even more difficult. So don't stress out how long it takes to get an S on a level, or even the first one on any level.

Have fun and enjoy the excellent music and don't burn yourself out.

Most Of The Custom Songs Are For Experienced Players

While it is fun to find a familiar banger on the custom levels, trying to immediately hop on to it will probably just be bad time. Most of the songs are made by and for people already beaten the included songs and they use everything available,

The story mode is a well paced tutorial to all the rhythms and mechanics the game has to offer with a fun story and lots of awesome original songs.

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3133193146

Tips for beginners