Beat Saber review: still the rhythm game every headset needs
An AI-written assessment of Beat Saber from official details and published reviews: precise, comfortable rhythm play and a huge music catalog, with costly song packs and a dated campaign and menus.
Verdict
Beat Saber is still the VR rhythm game to beat, with precise, comfortable play and a huge catalog, now at a lower $19.99 base price. Paid song packs add up, and the campaign and menus show their age.
Détail de la note
Points forts
- Precise, satisfying slicing that is easy to learn
- No artificial movement, so it is very comfortable
- Large licensed catalog of 300+ tracks
- Doubles as a workout
- Base price cut to $19.99 in 2026
Points faibles
- Music packs get expensive
- Campaign and menus feel dated
- Uneven visuals between old and new environments
- PlayStation version no longer gets new content
This review is an AI-written assessment. It is based on official game details and on what published reviews broadly agree on, not on hands-on play.
What it is
Beat Saber is a VR rhythm game from Beat Games. You hold a red and a blue saber and cut incoming blocks in the direction of their arrows, in time with the music, while dodging walls and avoiding bombs. It entered Steam Early Access in May 2018 and fully launched in May 2019. It is sold on the Meta Horizon Store for Quest headsets and on SteamVR for PC headsets. In August 2026 the base price dropped from $29.99 to $19.99, while paid music packs and single songs are sold separately.
Strengths
The core feel is what reviewers praise most. UploadVR's 2022 re-review labeled it essential for any new headset owner and noted that slicing feels satisfying across hardware generations, because the sabers never need to collide with anything solid. GameSpot described the game as an exhilarating rush and an exhausting workout in the best way. Scoring rewards full, well-angled swings, so technique matters as much as speed, and difficulty ranges from relaxed Easy charts to very fast Expert+ maps.
Comfort is another strength. Road to VR pointed out that because Beat Saber has no artificial movement, it is comfortable for almost everyone, including people prone to motion sickness. The game works standing in a small space, and harder songs double as cardio.
The music catalog is now large. The base game includes more than 60 songs, and the full library passes 300 tracks through paid packs from artists such as Coldplay, Metallica and Lady Gaga. Online multiplayer supports up to five players, and party mode lets a group pass one headset around. On PC, a large modding community adds custom songs, although mods are not officially supported.
Weaknesses
Cost adds up. UploadVR noted that buying music packs on top of the base game gets expensive, and the 2026 base price cut did not change DLC prices. Early reviews, including GameSpot's, flagged a thin song list; that problem has eased, but much of the best music is paid.
Some parts of the game have aged. UploadVR called the campaign neglected and the floating point-and-click menus clunky, and found the visuals uneven, with newer environments far more detailed than older ones. Difficulty labels have also become inconsistent, since later maps tend to be much harder at the same rating. On PlayStation, Beat Games stopped adding new content in June 2025 and shut down multiplayer in January 2026, so that version is falling behind.
Who it suits
Beat Saber suits almost every new VR owner: it is easy to learn, comfortable, good for a quick workout and great for showing VR to friends. Players who want the latest songs and online play should buy it on Quest or PC rather than PlayStation.
How it compares
Synth Riders offers a more flowing, dance-like style that some players prefer for longer sessions, while Pistol Whip mixes rhythm with shooting. Beat Saber remains the reference point for the genre, with the most precise feel and the biggest licensed catalog.
