We Love It's Guide to…
As musician Rob, explore a music-shaped world and build riff decks to battle Rick Riffson’s goons in timed turn-based fights.
Released 17 Jul 2025
Build Riff Decks
Time Your Attacks
Mod Four Instruments
In this turn-based RPG, wield powerful legendary instruments, gather mighty riff attacks and save the land from Rick Riffson's devilish goons and musical hybrid monsters!
Developed by Ritual Studios · Published by Klei Publishing
Rob, a friendly musician, sets out to restore harmony to a world where Rick Riffson’s record company is corrupting music and trapping musicians. The adventure follows Rob and his rock-loving friend through a series of musical locations.
Explore whimsical biomes, discover riffs and upgrades, and battle Riffson’s goons, instrument-based monsters, and other foes. Combat is turn-based, with timed inputs that can strengthen attacks or reduce damage from incoming blows.
Choose among four musical instruments, each with its own deck of riffs and combat style. Add riffs to your deck, upgrade them, and fit instruments with gear such as strings and pedals to shape your abilities and strategies.
Reviewers frequently praise the soundtrack and the way music is woven into combat, environments, and character details. Many also enjoy the turn-based battles, timed inputs, and the different strategies offered by instrument-based builds, along with the colorful pixel art and musical humor. Some find the campaign short or combat too easy, and several report bugs or dislike a late stealth section.
Play as Rob, a friendly musician trying to restore harmony in an off-tuned world where wacky villains are corrupting music.
Rick Riffson, boss of the evil Super Metal Records company, is using the Battle of the Bands contest to extend his hold on every last note, chord, and song by trapping the best musicians with deceptive soul-binding contracts.
Embark on an adventure with Rob and his zany rock-loving friend to end SMR's plans. Stay alert during your journey: Riffson’s devilish goons, monster-instrument hybrids, and legendary musical animals will try to get in your way!
Explore this musical land to add sick riffs to your deck, and wield your mighty guitar to unleash powerful crescendo attacks in epic music battles!
Carefully composed by Ritual Studios, Fretless is a pixel-art adventure set in Rob Scallon and his friends' diverse musical rock world.
- Explore a musical world: discover whimsical biomes where flowers jingle, rocks really rock and beach waves have their own melody. Watch out for the percushrooms: they'll beat you up.
- Engage in rhythmic turn-based combat: orchestrate melodies of mighty musical riffs to bit crush your foes. Time attacks and blocks to the beat of the soundtrack, build your Crescendo, and unleash powerful rhythm-based special attacks!
- Fine-tune your strategy: Collect mighty riffs, add them to your deck, and compose the perfect bars to create unbeatable solos. Follow the beat of your own drum, whether it is high damage build, devastating musical effects, life-stealing combos, or even random chaos!
- Spice up your musical abilities with physical add-ons: Are you a metal-rock shredder or an indie-folk lover? Choose the best instrument and add bridges, strings, and more to match your own play styles.
- Band together for a wholesome ballad: embark on a story full of musical puns, zany characters, and Rob Scallon's coterie of music-loving friends
- Enjoy a hand-crafted Pixel Art symphony: progress through a visually enchanting world filled with gorgeous punchy animations and alluring scenery.
- Music is for everyone: from "simple" music enthusiasts to guitar gods, everyone can hit the right note at the right time! Whether you are already a fan of Rob or just looking for a fun lighthearted adventure, this game is made for you.
| Platforms | Windows |
|---|---|
| Achievements | 22 |
| Age ratings |
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| Controller support | PlayStation, Xbox |
| Controller required | No |
| Demo | View demo on Steam |
| DLC / extras | 1 listed on Steam |
| Website | Official website |
Games similar to Fretless - The Wrath of Riffson
