Maestro [Meta Quest 3] | REVIEW

In a genre as crowded as rhythm games, standing out is no small feat, which makes the brilliance of Maestro all the more impressive. Not only does it manage to bring something completely fresh to the table by placing players in the role of an orchestra conductor, but it also blends together innovative motion-based mechanics, immersive design, and, of course, a unique focus on classical music, in a wonderfully unique fashion.

Check out some screenshots down below:

At its core, Maestro takes the traditional rhythm game formula and reimagines it. Instead of matching beats or striking chords, players stand at the conductor’s podium, wielding a virtual baton and commanding an orchestra. The gameplay requires players to direct their orchestra, signal crescendos and decrescendos, and guide the performance with fluid hand gestures, all whilst ensuring they line their actions up with the motions that are directed on-screen. It’s simple enough to play, with the game clearly indicating the direction that your motions need to sway, whether to raise or lower your palm, and when and where to point to direct your orchestra, though performing everything in tandem does bring a satisfying learning curve that’ll take a while to master. It’s both familiar and unique, with players having to immerse themselves in the experience completely if they want to ensure their performances will please the audience.

And if you want to make the experience more immersive? You can ditch your controllers and use hand-tracking, which just makes everything feel all the more believable. You’ll physically raise and lower your hand, you’ll point at parts of the orchestra with immediacy, and you’ll flick your baton with a flair that’s simply more compelling than when using a controller. There can be some minor issues with the hand tracking on the harder difficulty where your actions are much more manic, but generally, it performs really, really well.

Music selection is a cornerstone of any rhythm game, and Maestro delivers an impressive mix of tracks that are sure to please both classical music lovers and those unfamiliar with the genre. The game features 17 songs at launch, ranging from classical staples like Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries to jazz standards like Sing, Sing, Sing. These iconic pieces not only highlight the beauty of orchestral music but also fit seamlessly into the gameplay mechanics, making every performance feel powerful and like you’re actually there conducting the orchestra. And if you don’t recognise the titles of these songs, trust me: when you start playing them, you’ll immediately know what they are. It’s funny, but Maestro made me realise that I actually REALLY like classical music. The only problem? I wish it had more songs to play, and whilst the 17 on offer are rich in variety and familiarity, I couldn’t help but to want more.

“Maestro is brilliant, offering an innovative and immersive conducting experience that’s unlike any other rhythm game that I’ve played.”

Maestro caters to players of all skill levels with its three difficulty modes. Easy and Normal modes provide a slower-paced introduction, helping players master the basics of conducting and timing. Hard mode, however, ramps up the challenge significantly, requiring quick decision-making and multi-tasking as you manage multiple gestures simultaneously. And believe me, it can be really, REALLY hard. The progression system is rewarding as you play through songs though, offering unlockable items such as additional songs, batons, gloves, and levels, which each give players something new to tinker with to customise their experience.

Visually, Maestro does an excellent job of immersing players in the role of a conductor. Each of the environments you play across capture the majestic flair of a stage performance, and whilst you can play on a typical stage, the likes of a New York street or the midst of the French Revolution all feel all the more magnificent. What’s more impressive is that they’re all made up as part of the stage, adding to the sense of believability that you’re performing in an actual theatre – it’s a small detail, but something that I was very fond of.

Admittedly, the character models of the orchestra and audience are a little less detailed, but it doesn’t make their presence any less impressive. Seeing them accurately play their instruments and moving along to your instructions was incredible, whilst turning to the face the audience upon completion of a song was one of my favourite things about the game. The audience will react to your performance accordingly, throwing roses and cheering or sending loud jeers your way depending on your success. This feedback, combined with the pressure of guiding the orchestra, evokes the thrill and stress of live performance. It’s an experience that’ll strike a chord with anyone familiar with performing arts, and I’ll admit, I always spent a little longer soaking in the cheers than I needed to.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Perhaps most importantly of all, the sound design of Maestro is superb. Each track is presented in high-quality audio, a crucial feature for a game centred around music, whilst the audience’s cheers, jeers, and other ambient sounds all add depth to the experience. Between performances, players are guided by a grumpy yet endearing French character who provides light-hearted moments with his sarcastic commentary. I loved him during the tutorial, and as he made witty little remarks as I played (often in French), he helped give Maestro that extra dose of personality that sets it apart from other rhythm games on the Meta Quest.

Developer: Double Jack
Publisher: Double Jack
Platform(s): Meta Quest 3 (Reviewed), Meta Quest 2, PC VR
Website: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/experiences/maestro/6963344583787383/