Jul 19, 2025

Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson Review

Muhit Rahman

Muhit Rahman lives off two things: gaming marathons and endless cups of tea. He writes guides, reviews, and occasionally forgets that real life doesn’t come with checkpoints. His favorite genres are Soulslike and Metroidvania, with Dark Souls III, Hollow Knight, and Dota 2 forever holding top spots on his all-time list.

One-Man Band, Endless Encore

Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson didn’t need to go this hard.

It could’ve surfed on its music-themed gimmick, thrown in a few guitar puns, and called it a day. But instead, the game plugs in and tears through the noise with surprising depth, warmth, and confidence. What starts as a cheeky rhythm-RPG hybrid quickly reveals itself as one of the most inventive and heartfelt indies of the year.

Welcome to Into Indie Games’ review of Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson, where we take you through all of the things we liked and disliked about this title from Playdigious Originals.

For more information about the game, check out their official website here.

Fretboard Fury in a Capitalist World

Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson begins with a familiar dream: a passionate musician, Rob, wants to make it big by winning a Battle of the Bands. But in this world, even the chords are corrupted.

Super Metal Records (SMR), the mega-label behind the competition, isn’t just shady – it’s summoning demonic monsters and brainwashing artists. What follows is a genre-bending, rhythm-fueled, pun-packed RPG that feels equal parts cozy and chaotic.

The game kicks off light and fast, introducing its turn-based combat system with a rhythm-timing twist. You choose from a unique set of riffs designed for each Instruments, to deal damage, inflict status effects, or even gain different buffs. QTE inputs during your riffs allow you to maximize their effect, which means even basic moves require you to stay locked in.

If you’re even slightly musically inclined, the timing will feel natural. And as a musician myself, I found the moment-to-moment combat deeply satisfying in a way that turn-based systems rarely are.

Yet even if you’ve never picked up an instrument, Fretless doesn’t punish you. Its onboarding is friendly, its QTEs generous, and the combat never demands perfection. Instead, it rewards flow, getting into the rhythm, listening to the backing track, and letting your fingers follow the beat. This creates a kind of trance state where strategy and tempo blend together.

Four Instruments, Insane Depth

The real depth of Fretless lies in its customization. Rob starts with his trusty Acoustic guitar but soon unlocks the Bass, Synthesizer, and Eight Strings. Each Instrument has a distinct set of moves (or Riffs), and a special Crescendo attack. Swapping between them changes your entire approach to combat, and the background music shifts with it, tailoring the soundtrack to your current loadout.

On top of that, you’ll find different Mods that let you tweak every part of your Instrument. Each Instrument has its own unique set of Mods that you’ll have to hunt down by scouring the map.

And then there are pedals, which act the same way as relics in a roguelike, granting powerful passive bonuses that can change the way you approach each fight. Some are as simple as adding a bonus to your maximum health, while others help fill up your Crescendo meter quicker.

It’s impressively modular, but it never got overwhelming. On the contrary, I constantly felt myself wanting more, looking for puzzles to solve in every corner of each location to add to my collection of gears.

Impressive Levels of Variety

Speaking of locations, Fretless – the Wrath of Riffson manages to pack plenty of variety in its 7-8 hour play time. There are a variety of sonically-charged zones you’ll have to traverse, each with its own unique monsters for you to defeat.

The boss battles feel fresh, and while not too hard, they do require you to mix and match your battle strategy. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, Fretless throws in a new wrinkle. Maybe it’s a late-game zone where enemies remove your cards, or a boss whose Crescendo you have to counter with QTE inputs. There’s always some twist to keep you adjusting your build and staying on your toes.

The game also has two distinct endings that you can experience which adds to the playtime. The story wraps up in a satisfying way for the hero giving the entire journey a deeper meaning.

Sound and Substance

Let’s talk music because Fretless doesn’t just play like an homage to musicians, it sounds like one, too. The soundtrack is composed by Rob Scallon, Jeff Jennings, and Dovetail, with guest appearances from legends like Northlane, Cult of Luna, and Davie504. It’s a genre-spanning lineup that somehow remains cohesive, from acoustic folk intros to full-blown metal crescendos.

You can tell this was made by people who not only love games, but live and breathe music.

A Few Minor Hiccups

Still, Fretless isn’t a flawless composition. The level design, for one, is pretty linear. While there are side paths, puzzles, and optional chests, most areas follow a fairly straight route from point A to point B. It’s not a deal-breaker, especially for a narrative-driven RPG, but it does occasionally feel like you’re moving from set-piece to set-piece without much exploration in between.

The puzzles scattered throughout the game are charming, often involving block-pushing or color sequences tied to music cues, but they never rise above basic brain teasers. If you were hoping for the kind of head-scratchers you might find in Zelda or The Witness, you might be underwhelmed.

There’s also one stealth section in the final stretch that feels a little out of place. It’s brief and not particularly punishing, but it lacks the polish of the rest of the game.

The real concern some may have is difficulty. Fretless is not a hard game. Most battles can be won by keeping your rhythm tight and timing your QTEs. You likely won’t see a “Game Over” screen until the final boss, and even that fight was patched to be fairer post-launch. For those seeking a challenge, this might feel too breezy. But in my case, the ease added to the charm. It’s a game that wants you to feel cool, not punished.

Verdict: One for the Setlist

Fretless – The Wrath of Riffson is that rare indie game that feels tailor-made for a very specific audience, but still manages to be wildly accessible to everyone else. If you’ve ever played an instrument, been in a band, or obsessed over tone settings, you’ll find yourself smiling throughout. But even if you haven’t, the clever combat, whimsical writing, and infectious soundtrack will win you over.

It’s a cozy RPG with a punk heart. For me, a musician myself, it’s one of the most memorable RPGs of the year. And if the devs ever do a sequel with a full band and a world tour, I’m first in line at the merch table.

Developer: Ritual Studios
Country of Origin: United States
Publisher: Playdigious Originals
Release Date: July 17, 2025 (PC)