Cadence of Hyrule
A rhythm-based crossover blending Crypt of the NecroDancer with Zelda.
Cadence of Hyrule: Crypt of the NecroDancer Featuring The Legend of Zelda is a 2019 roguelike rhythm game. Brace Yourself Games developed it, and Nintendo published it for the Nintendo Switch. The title crosses over Crypt of the NecroDancer with Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda series, blending rhythm-based movement and combat with design cues from earlier Zelda entries. It launched on June 13, 2019, and critics gave it generally positive reviews.
**Gameplay**
The game merges Crypt of the NecroDancer’s beat-driven mechanics with Zelda settings, characters, and music. Players mostly control Link or Princess Zelda, but other characters—like NecroDancer’s Cadence—become available through progression or quest completion, each bringing unique abilities. The overworld consists of predefined regions tied to Zelda lore, such as Hyrule Castle or Death Mountain, but their relative positions are procedurally placed for each new save file. This map stays fixed for the whole game, though temple dungeons are randomly generated each time the player enters them. When enemies appear in an area, players must move and attack in time with the music using directional buttons, earning bonus multipliers and extra rewards for staying on beat. Weapons and equipment—shovels for digging, torches to reveal chest contents, and recurring Zelda items like bows, bombs, and hookshots—can be found or bought. Borrowing roguelike elements from NecroDancer, losing all health costs the player their amassed rupees and temporary items. Diamonds, found in dungeons or earned by clearing every enemy in an area, are kept even after a game over. Sheikah Stones in certain spots let players fast travel or respawn after death. Optional modes include a fixed-beat mode that removes the rhythm requirement and a permadeath mode that challenges players to finish the campaign without dying. Two-player co-op is available on a single Switch unit, each player using one Joy-Con to move.
**Plot**
In Hyrule, a mysterious man named Octavo uses a magical lute to put the king, Link, and Zelda to sleep. He then uses the Triforce of Power to turn his lute into a Golden Lute. Cadence is mysteriously transported to Hyrule by the Triforce and wakes Link and Zelda.
- Developer
- Brace Yourself Games
- Publisher
- Nintendo
- Platform
- Nintendo Switch
- Release date
- June 13, 2019
- Genre
- Roguelike rhythm game
- Director
- Ryan Clark
- Composer
- Danny Baranowsky
Lore & Background
Cadence of Hyrule combines the rhythm-based gameplay of Crypt of the NecroDancer with settings, characters, and music from The Legend of Zelda series. Players primarily control Link or Princess Zelda, with other characters such as Cadence becoming unlocked through progression. The overworld consists of predefined regions related to Zelda lore, such as Hyrule Castle and Death Mountain, but their relative placement is procedurally generated for each new save file. Dungeons within temples are randomly generated each visit. Players must move and attack in time to the music using directional buttons, with bonus multipliers for maintaining the beat. Items like shovels, torches, bows, bombs, and hook shots can be found or purchased. Roguelike elements partially carry over: losing all health costs amassed rupees and temporary items, but a free DLC update on December 18, 2019, added Octavo as a playable character and a new Dungeon Mode.
Reader's Guide
Cadence of Hyrule is significant as a rare instance of Nintendo allowing a small independent developer to use its intellectual property, as most prior collaborations were with larger third-party developers. The game was announced in March 2019 at the end of a Nintendo Direct 'Nindies' showcase. It received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising its retro charm, rhythm-based integration, and soundtrack of remixed classic Zelda themes by Danny Baranowsky. The Verge called its style a 'welcome shot of retro charm,' while The Guardian noted the rhythm gimmick enhances everything it touches. Eurogamer praised its adaptation of Zelda to Crypt's gameplay, and Polygon highlighted the soundtrack's originality. Destructoid found it advanced the Crypt formula by adding Zelda elements and making the game more accessible. Nintendo Life enjoyed the co-op mode despite criticizing the lack of HD Rumble. The game was the best-selling digital Nintendo Switch game in its first week in Japan and in June 2019 in Europe. Free DLC added Octavo as a playable character and a Dungeons mode in December 2019, followed by three paid DLC packs in 2020, including new characters, music tracks, and the 'Symphony of the Mask' adventure starring Skull Kid. A physical version with all DLC released on October 23.
Did You Know?
- The game began development when Crypt of the NecroDancer creator Ryan Clark approached Nintendo to ask permission to use Zelda content as DLC for the Nintendo Switch port.
- Part of the pixel art style was developed by members of the Sonic Mania art team.
- The game features optional modes including 'fixed-beat mode' and permadeath mode.
- Free DLC added on December 18, 2019, includes Octavo as a playable character and a Dungeons mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cadence of Hyrule?
It is a 2019 roguelike rhythm game that fuses Crypt of the NecroDancer's beat-synced movement and combat with The Legend of Zelda's characters, settings, and soundtrack. Brace Yourself Games built the title and Nintendo published it.
What platform is Cadence of Hyrule available on?
The game was released exclusively for the Nintendo Switch, with Nintendo serving as the publisher.
How does gameplay work in Cadence of Hyrule?
You move, attack, and interact with the world strictly on the beat, just like the original NecroDancer, but across recognizable Zelda locales and against its familiar foes. Runs are procedurally generated in a roguelike structure, so each playthrough reshuffles rooms and challenges.
Who developed Cadence of Hyrule?
Brace Yourself Games created the game, with Ryan Clark listed as director, while Nintendo handled publishing for the Switch launch.
When was Cadence of Hyrule released?
It launched on June 13, 2019, and earned generally positive reviews from critics at the time.
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