Keylocker

The turn-based JRPG-style music game Keylocker is currently free for Windows — 100% free to keep — as part of a limited-time Epic Store’s giveaway! Don’t miss it: Keylocker normally sells for US$19.99.

Keylocker is a cyberpunk turn-based RPG with anime-style pixel art, set on Saturn in a distant future where everyone is an android and music is banned because it generates a powerful form of energy. The game was developed by Moonana and initially released on September 18, 2024.

One of its most distinctive features, alongside its creative (and slightly crazy) story and world, is a rhythm-based turn system inspired by Mario & Luigi RPG. Players must press buttons with precise timing to attack, defend, or counter, in a mechanic that rewards patience and practice.

Published by Serenity Forge and available for Windows, Switch, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, Keylocker was generally well received by critics and even earned a few awards. It also has hundreds of very positive user reviews on Steam, at least as of this post’s publication.

You can get the game here!

Trailer

Gameplay

Keylocker is a turn-based RPG with rhythm game elements, featuring a combat system heavily inspired by the Mario & Luigi series. Players must input commands with precise timing to attack, defend, or counterattack. All battle actions have specific timing windows, adding a skill-based layer to the traditional turn-based mechanics.

The game features two main bars during combat: the health bar (HP) and the electric power bar (EP). EP can be used offensively to enhance physical attacks or defensively to absorb damage from electric attacks before they reach HP. It can also be restored through certain moves or by being targeted with electric-based attacks.

The class system is diverse and has a direct impact on both the narrative and combat strategies, with options geared toward either physical or electric (magical) attacks, as well as defensive playstyles. The choice of class influences the available skill sets and adds replay value to the game.

There are no random encounters; enemies are visible on the map, and battles occur directly in the game environment. Any lost battle can be restarted instantly, encouraging experimentation with different strategies without harsh penalties.

Character progression is based on a skill tree, replacing the traditional leveling system, where new abilities can be unlocked and assigned to battle commands, allowing players to create specific combinations that suit their playstyle.

Rhythm-based minigames in the style of Guitar Hero are also part of the experience, particularly during musical performances with the protagonist’s band. These segments feature multiple difficulty levels, lag calibration, and performance-based rewards.

About the game

Keylocker is a cyberpunk rhythm JRPG with turn-based battles. Play as singer-songwriter B0B0 and charge up your moves with the electrifying power of music on this ruthless planet, executing real-time actions in rhythm-game style! Pick a unique class, defy the authorities, uncover the secrets of Saturn, play gigs with your band, and hack into the network to take down a corrupt system—for better or worse.

Story

| Saturn, Year 801. |
| Music has been banned for 141 years. |

B0B0 is one of the Imitators—twins born as “perfect” human beings, genetically engineered to fulfill the purpose of the caste they were assigned to. Her purpose is to serve in the lowest caste for the prosperity of Saturn—but she’s not having it. Amidst a revolution against the Saturnian Satellites, the highest authority on the planet, B0B0 hears rumors of a newly discovered music-playing robot—potentially the perfect drummer for her illegal band. Rebellion through music is her greatest talent, and a drummer is the missing piece in her band of misfits. Now, with everything in place, she’s ready to defy the law and uncover the truth behind the essence of music: the Keylocker.

Features

Forge your own path as a cyberpunk rebel. Each class features its own skill tree and storyline.
Control electricity through music! Turn it into offense or defense on the fly, switching between different move sets and tactics.
Classic turn-based combat with a rhythmic twist: hit, shoot, parry, or block with perfect timing in a world where every fight is a performance.
No random encounters: battle your enemies directly in fights seamlessly integrated into the game world.
Make allies—or betray them. Hack into profiles to gain resources or alter the course of a branching story with multiple endings.
Shred on stage: jam with your band in the Music Show minigame, featuring tracks by Elektrobear (Momodora, Virgo Versus The Zodiac) and vocals by Psamathes.
Customize your Imitator: choose from a wide range of gear, weapons, and skills, unlocking special Talents with Keys collected from enemies you DELETE in combat.
An interactive world: explore Saturn and interact with unique objects to uncover secrets, rewards, and rich planetary lore.