Full-Keyboard Rhythm Game. Transform your keyboard into a musical instrument. Play every key at your own tempo with forgiving timing that respects your rhythm. But don't expect it to be easy. Face the brutally difficult challenge. Conquer impossibly demanding levels your own way, at your own tempo.
Release Date:
To be announced
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Publisher:
General / Cinematic | Official Trailer
Gameplay | Vinyl Gameplay
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Coming Soon To Early Access

The developers of this game intend to release as a work in progress, developing with the feedback of players.

Note: Games in Early Access are not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

Full keyboard rhythm game - Off the Text started as a side project with demo versions in January 2023, and I began serious development in April 2024. All 42 main levels are now complete and ready for release. But here's what I realized I was missing: I built this alone. While that brings certain advantages, it also raises concerns. This game features many experimental elements - full keyboard gameplay, generous timing windows, montage techniques, dark graphic art - and I desperately need player feedback on these diverse elements. Great games aren't built by stubborn developers alone - they're shaped by passionate communities. That's why I want to gather extensive feedback and improve the game in better directions. By releasing part of the total levels in Early Access, I want feedback on the core gameplay loop. I aim to improve usability and convenience features directly through many players' opinions on levels, interfaces, and more. Since this is a single-story game, diverse language support is crucial for story comprehension, and I plan to add languages based on community demand. All of this is why I'm launching Early Access. Simply put, I need your thoughts and feelings.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

I'm currently planning for 6-9 months. I've structured the Early Access period into distinct seasons:
  • Early Access Season -4: 9 months to 7 months before launch
  • Early Access Season -3: 7 months to 5 months before launch
  • Early Access Season -2: 5 months to 3 months before launch
  • Early Access Season -1: 3 months before launch to launch

Update & Patch Schedule: Every other Wednesday
  • Incorporate user feedback
  • Improve usability and convenience features
  • Add 2 new levels (up to 31 total)
  • Performance optimization
  • Add additional languages (based on community demand)

Hotfixes: Development initiated within 48 hours when critical fixes are needed
  • Critical issues severely impacting user experience
  • Cases requiring immediate fixes in the game environment

Seasons -4 through -2 will focus on core gameplay loop feedback, usability/convenience improvements, and language additions. The final Season -1 is flexible and may be adjusted or shortened - it's dedicated to polishing work and testing seasonal content like betaMix. While the overall timeline or individual Early Access seasons may be adjusted, my goal remains constant: ensuring players have a fun and smooth gaming experience by gathering extensive feedback and using it to continuously improve the game.

* Please note that the above schedule may change based on development and user feedback. Any changes will be announced as soon as possible.
* Please refer to the visual below for a more intuitive understanding.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“The Early Access version is planned to launch with 17 levels available initially. I plan to release 2 new levels approximately every other Wednesday, targeting a total of 31 levels. The initial 17 levels represent 40% of the total 42 levels, and by the end of Early Access level updates, I aim to have 75% available. At full release, I plan to have all 42 levels accessible. Excluding DLC, the only planned difference between the full game and Early Access is the number of available levels. Everything else will be provided equally where possible.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“All 42 levels complete, core gameplay finished, currently optimizing UI/UX. I'm currently developing the Early Access branch version. I've selected and implemented the levels for the initial Early Access launch, and I'm now working on adjusting non-level elements like intro, title screen, and level selection. Of course, I'm also handling marketing tasks such as opening and updating the store page and launching social media channels. This response will be continuously updated as Early Access progresses.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The Lite Edition base game price will remain unchanged. However, all users who support the game through Early Access will receive a complimentary Early Supporter Pack, including the Original Soundtrack and Digital Artbook. As mentioned below, this is my way of showing respect to those who believed in and supported this game from the beginning. I want to express my gratitude to everyone who took the risk with an indie game and supported and participated in its development. To everyone who has read this far - thank you sincerely.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

You can communicate with me directly through Steam's excellent channels: the Steam Store page, Steam Community, and Steam Creator page. Of course, you can also connect through popular platforms like Discord, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, and Pinterest. Each platform has its own unique communication style, making them excellent channels for gathering diverse user feedback. I believe I can receive diverse and valuable feedback through these channels. I'll gather various opinions from different countries to improve and develop the game, creating a more fun and enjoyable gaming experience.”
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Planned Release Date: To be announced

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About This Game

    Do all experiences feel shallow and predictable, like you're trapped in a tick-tock trap that never lets you breathe? I get it. You're stuck in mindless repetition. Zero real challenge. Everything feels shallow and cookie-cutter. So what are you doing to break free from this tick-tock trap? Have you found a way to truly express yourself while conquering something brutally difficult?

    That moment when you finally master something that made others quit. When your unique approach proves superior to the "correct" way. When you accomplish something only you could have done. That rush of "I did this MY way, and it's pretty amazing!" But where can you actually experience this? In most cases, you're handed an invisible script that quietly guides your every move. But aren't you a free spirit? Here's a game that honors you. Challenge yourself at your own tempo, in your own way, with experiences that are brutally difficult.

    Don't position your hands over a few predetermined keys. Every key on your keyboard becomes a musical note. Instead of being limited to a few buttons, you have 26+ keys at your fingertips – each one creating real sound, real music, real expression. And here's the brilliant part: with forgiving timing windows, you can play at your own tempo and still achieve perfect results. This changes everything. You're not just hitting notes – you're performing your rhythm. It's not about following a predetermined script at a fixed tempo – it's about your timing, your expression. This is how I honor you.

So, here are four ways this honors you in detail:

    You know that urge to keep tapping, clicking, pressing something while you play? That restless energy that makes you fidget with keys even when you don't need to? This isn't just a quirk – it's your natural desire to interact, to create, to express. You've probably felt that limitation before – wanting to do more but having only a few keys to work with. But what if every single keystroke mattered? What if your restless fingers could channel all that energy into something meaningful? Designed for standard English keyboard input, your entire keyboard transforms into a living instrument. L becomes a C note. O becomes an E. V becomes a G, and E becomes another C. Plus, keys like Enter and Spacebar can be pressed anytime – judgment-free – each with their own unique musical voice. Imagine the rush: you're not just hitting notes anymore. You're playing a real instrument. Every keystroke creates music. Your keyboard becomes your instrument.

    Is music really just math? Of course, to some extent it probably is. But you're not math. You have your own rhythm, and that rhythm becomes your music. Right, music isn't math. Real musicians breathe with their music, they emphasize by playing slightly ahead of or behind the beat. Why shouldn't you? Here, your instincts become the standard. Sometimes play a little faster than the beat to feel that rushing tempo. At climaxes, play slightly behind the beat to emphasize that thrill even more. It's okay – the timing is forgiving. Your musical choices are respected, not corrected. Same song, same instrument, but every playthrough becomes your unique performance, your personal take on the song.

    Wait, does that mean this game is easy? Absolutely not. Don't let the forgiving timing fool you – the artificial barriers have been removed so you can face the real challenge. This is brutally difficult rhythm game. Intricate rhythms that demand your complete focus. Moments requiring rapid-fire execution of countless letters across your keyboard. Complex patterns that separate casual players from true performers. The forgiving timing isn't there to make things easy – it's there so you can attempt these impossibly demanding pieces without being handicapped for being human.

    Think you're ready? It starts gentle – anyone can play the opening songs. You'll probably think "this is manageable" through the middle stages. But that's where it ends. Soon enough, you'll face the true difficulty and find yourself staring at game over screens. But if you keep challenging yourself despite these momentary failures, you'll start clearing levels one by one that others couldn't beat. Through countless attempts and unwavering determination, your own method that you tried clicks into place. When you're finally flying through passages that made others quit – that feeling of conquering something brutally difficult your own way, you know? That's what this is about. This isn't participation trophy gaming. This is a journey of conquering brutally difficult things your own way.

    Your journey also brings together a single complete story that transcends time and space. Instead of levels made up of disconnected concepts and music, this is one cohesive narrative with each level containing a piece of the entire story. You're not just hitting keys to music. You're traveling through time and space within and between levels, protecting someone precious through the twists of time itself. Each level isn't a separate challenge – it's another chapter in her story, another moment that makes your journey a unified, coherent adventure.

    The visual experience matches this narrative depth. Each level is crafted as photographic mosaic artwork – carefully arranged combinations of diverse images and footage from unconnected sources. This creates a magazine-style graphic art or poster aesthetic for every level. The same character appears differently across levels, each with its own distinct mood and feeling. Combined with 1970s-1980s cinematic direction featuring film grain, chromatic aberration, monitor textures, and letterboxing, this artistic approach will draw you deeper into your journey.

    This journey is further enhanced by classic arcade gameplay mechanics that defined the era. Each level follows the traditional arcade format - just like dropping quarters into those arcade machines, you'll select your level and face the challenge with only three attempts. This creates that thrilling, high-stakes arcade experience where every move matters, perfectly complementing the distinctive 1970s-1980s atmosphere while maintaining engaging gameplay.

    One person. One vision. One uncompromising standard. This isn't a game designed by committee or rushed through corporate pipelines. Every letter, every visual, every moment of interaction has been carefully crafted by a single creator who refused to settle for "good enough." When you play, you're experiencing pure creative intent – no diluted vision, no conflicting priorities, just the game exactly as it was meant to be.

    The feeling of conquering something brutally difficult your own way. I provide full-keyboard musical expression, forgiving timing that respects your tempo, meaningful artistic storytelling, and genuine technical challenge. Most importantly, I’ve carefully woven these elements together into a cohesive experience. This creates a gaming experience you simply can't find anywhere else – one designed specifically for someone like you.

    When the full game launches, you'll choose between three editions: Lite Edition(42 main levels), Standard Edition(42 main levels + seasonal content access : Season Pass), and Collector's Edition(all of the above + Original Soundtrack + Digital Artbook). DLC components will also be available for individual purchase: Season Pass , Digital Artbook, Original Soundtrack.

    After the full launch, I'll be introducing seasonal content updates every three months. These will feature spin-off levels exploring earlier events in the main story timeline, offering unique interactions and gameplay mechanics different from the core experience. The bi-weekly Wednesday update schedule will continue post-launch, ensuring you always have a smooth and polished gaming experience.

  * Please note that the product lineup above may change depending on circumstances. If any changes occur, I will announce them as soon as possible.

  * Seasonal content is exclusively available to Season Pass holders.

    Early Access is planned to run for 6 to 9 months. During this period, I'll be actively refining the game based on feedback from early supporters like you. This will be a focused time for improving user experience, smoothing gameplay flow, and addressing any issues that arise. I'm committed to listening closely to your input and incorporating your suggestions wherever possible. Updates will roll out every other Wednesday, with emergency patch development initiated within 48 hours when critical fixes are needed. My goal is to ensure your journey through the game remains engaging and enjoyable with consistent updates and patches.

Update & Patch Schedule: Every other Wednesday

  • Incorporate user feedback

  • Improve usability and convenience features

  • Add 2 new levels (up to 31 total)

  • Performance optimization

  • Add additional languages (based on community demand)

Hotfixes: Development initiated within 48 hours when critical fixes are needed

  • Critical issues severely impacting user experience

  • Cases requiring immediate fixes in the game environment

  * Please note that the schedule above is subject to adjustment based on the development process and user feedback. If any changes occur, I will announce them as soon as possible.

    During Early Access, those who purchase the game receive a complimentary Early Supporter Pack that comes bundled with both the Soundtrack DLC and Digital Artbook DLC. This means Early Access customers get the full game and additional content (Original Soundtrack + Digital Artbook) for just the Lite Edition price.

    This is my way of honoring early supporters who believe in this game from the beginning. I know the risks of supporting a solo developer's project – the uncertainties, the unknowns. Your willingness to take that chance with me deserves recognition. While I can't fully repay your trust, I want to offer something meaningful in return. To everyone who has read this far, whether you become an early supporter or simply follow along – thank you.

  * The Original Soundtrack and Digital Artbook included in the Early Supporter Pack will be delivered upon the full game launch, when all core content has been finalized.

System Requirements

Windows
macOS
    Minimum:
    • OS: Windows 10 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600
    • Memory: 6 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 570
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 15 GB available space
    Recommended:
    • OS: Windows 10/11 64-bit
    • Processor: Intel i5-10400 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
    • DirectX: Version 11
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 20 GB available space
    Minimum:
    • OS: macOS 12.0 (Monterey) or later
    • Processor: Intel Core i5 or Apple M1
    • Memory: 6 GB RAM
    • Graphics: Intel Iris Pro 5200 or better / Apple M1 or better
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 15 GB available space
    Recommended:
    • OS: macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later
    • Processor: Intel Core i7 or Apple M1 Pro/Max/Ultra
    • Memory: 8 GB RAM
    • Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 560 or better / Apple M1 Pro or better
    • Network: Broadband Internet connection
    • Storage: 20 GB available space
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