Cassette Beasts: The best indie game you've never heard of
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Cassette Beasts promotional poster (via. Bytten Studios)
November 10, 2023 Natalie Martinez | Editor-in-Chief
While large companies like the Pokémon Company and Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. dominate the field of monster-collecting video games, a game was released by Bytten Studios recently that is bound to turn the tables in the favor of indie developers. Whether it’s with the entertaining take on turn-based combat or the soundtrack, Cassette Beasts is destined to shake up the indie game development scene.
Designed and coded by only two people, Jay Baylis and Tom Coxon, Cassette Beasts takes place in the hidden island of New Wirral, where the player washes up with no memories of where they are or how they got there, but quickly meet a loveable cast and fight alongside them to find their way home.
The turn-based combat system boasts nearly infinite possibilities, offering immense customization options for the potential abilities your character— rather, the monsters they have collected— can use. Not only does the in-game combat train your hand-eye coordination, perception of differences, and memory of the game’s mechanics, which are taught to you as you discover them in such a way that makes it easier to remember. Depending on the type of monster you have, combat can be changed immensely. Because of the different advantages that different types of monsters can bring, players find themselves with diverse parties of monsters that can counter many different enemies.
According to BrainFacts, having to focus on several small elements in order to defeat enemies, “can improve cognitive development, such as greater sensitivity to contrasts, better eye-to-hand coordination, and superior memory.” Such benefits ensure that the player feels content with their abilities and knowledge of the advantages of certain ability types against others.
When the player is inevitably rewarded with victory, not only are you rewarded with a rush of dopamine and some in-game currency, but you feel more confident stepping into combat alongside your in-game friends.
When in combat in Cassette Beasts, it’s not hard to notice the music in the background. The soundtrack, made by Joel Baylis, the brother of Jay Baylis, consists of 65 total songs.
The title screen of the game is accompanied by a gentle guitar theme, lulling you into the world filled with a contrast of epic fights but also heartfelt moments beside your companions.
Each one of your companions has their own energetic theme to match their personality, however, when you take the time to get to know them and strengthen your relationship, the upbeat tune is replaced by something more sincere, matching their feelings towards you, the player. Piano accompanied by quiet guitar fills the silence that lies alongside potential sparks for something more than friendship.
According to a report from the National Library of Medicine, “listening to music is [...] accompanied by blood flow increases in brain areas known to be involved in generating and controlling emotions.” Listening to music that fits the mood and scenes of the game is bound to make the player more immersed, feeling as though they truly are in New Wirral.
While there is much more to the world of Cassette Beasts, the adventure the soundtrack leads you through and the enemies you encounter are well worth the dive into the unknown. Cassette Beasts is available on Xbox, Steam, and Nintendo Switch. For more articles about literal game-changers, check out The Expedition.