Latest Rhythm Doctor Review (2026)
One button used to its fullest potential and heaps of visual experimentation pay off in droves to make Rhythm Doctor one of the coolest and most distinctive rhythm games I've ever played.
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What is it? Curing patients with music, one tap of the spacebar at a time.
Reviewed on: Nvidia GeForce RTX3070, AMD Ryzen 9 3900XT, 32GB RAM
Rhythm Doctor is the master of the single input. A game that only needed my space bar to utterly challenge my musical timing and tug on my heartstring through six acts replete with stunning visual presentation and interwoven stories that see even the most minor characters have their moment in the spotlight.
You would think that a rhythm game relying on just one button would saddle developer 7th Beat Games with a painfully limited scope. I'd argue that's a little true in the earlier levels of Rhythm Doctor—where the game is doing its best to help you get to grips with different beats and timing. But even in the moments where the game is still busy establishing its foundational gameplay, it's done with such pizzazz and care for every character and setting involved.
Middlesea Hospital has found itself with a pretty significant staff shortage, but also a brand-new experimental treatment courtesy of Ian, one of the institution's few remaining doctors putting in an insane amount of overtime.
Part of this Rhythm Doctor treatment (hey, that's the name of the game) involves me, a mute intern with the ability to administer care remotely with the help of a comically long noodle arm and a pointer finger undoubtedly suffering from a severe case of RSI by the time I rolled credits. By listening to and synchronising with a patient's heartbeat—through tapping the spacebar to the rhythm—it can help to fix up any irregularities and start the steps towards curing their ailments.
There were a few games last year that we didn't have time to review, so we're kicking off 2026 by rectifying some of those omissions. Sorry we're late!
It's a rather out-there premise, sure, but it's one grounded in relatable, down-to-earth characters and their stories. Overworked doctors, burned-out creatives, newly loved-up teenagers, and an injured baseball star terrified to lose his identity are just some of the patients who find themselves at Middlesea Hospital.
Source: PC Gamer
