Cyberpunk makes moves in the new rhythm JRPG 'Keylocker'

Developer Moonana Games and publisher Serenity Forge have officially launched Keylocker — a cyberpunk beat-keeping JRPG — on Change eShop.

This one takes place in the dystopian cityscape of Saturn (enough of cyberpunk?), where a corrupt government has banned all music. You’ll play as B0B0, a singer/songwriter determined to dismantle this system with the power of turn-based rhythm battles, whether on an isometric battlefield or in sections of falling notes à la Guitar Hero.

It looks pretty sweet, with pixel art visuals that complement the cyberpunk aesthetic quite nicely. The developer states Mario & Luigi series and Chrono Trigger as inspiration — big shoes to fill, but a fantastic place to start.

Here’s a list of the game’s key features and some screenshots so you can see what we’re dealing with:

– Choose your path as a cyberpunk rebel, each with their own unique skill tree and story
– Control electricity with your music! Turn it into offense or defense as needed, switching between different moves and tactics.
– Classic turn-based combat with a twist: perform real-time rhythm game-style moves — aim your shots, time your attacks, parry and block your enemies!
– No random encounters: fight your enemies in seamless in-world battles
– Make friends with citizens or betray them: hack profiles to gain resources or change the course of the story with multiple endings.
– Play with your band in the Music Show minigame: with songs by Elektrobear (Momodora, Virgo Versus The Zodiac), voiced by Psamathes.
– Watch out for the danger meter! The omniscient church police will pursue treacherous residents who do not respect the Law of Silence.
– Fully customize your characters with a wide selection of equipment
– Unlock special talents using keys collected from enemies you DELETED in battle.
– Unique interactions with every object in the world: Exploring Saturn can lead to secrets, rewards or bits of knowledge about the planet.