The rhythm game genre has seen a massive resurgence lately, moving away from the plastic peripherals of the mid-2000s and into more experimental territory. We’ve had rhythm-violence in Thumper, rhythm-FPS in Metal: Hellsinger, and rhythm-dungeon crawling in Crypt of the NecroDancer. But what about rhythm… skiing?
Fresh Tracks, developed by the indie team Buffalo Buffalo, asks a simple question: What if Audiosurf went on a ski trip with Guitar Hero and brought a sword? Released back in August 2025, this genre-bending roguelite has quietly gathered a cult following, and after hitting the virtual slopes on my Steam Deck, it is easy to see why. It offers one of the most unique “flow state” experiences on the market, blending high-speed sports action with a soundtrack that hits harder than a wipeout on black ice.
Shredding the Gnar (and the Demons)
The premise is deceptively simple. You are a skier traversing the snow-covered land of Norwyn, which has been befallen by a consuming darkness. To push back the night, you have to ski, jump, dodge, and fight to the beat.
Gameplay unfolds on a set of rails—literally ski tracks. As the music pumps, icons fly toward you, indicating the action required. You might need to switch lanes to avoid a rock, crouch under a low-hanging branch, jump over a chasm, or slash at a menacing enemy.
It sounds like a standard runner on paper, but in practice, it feels more like a dance. The controls are tight and responsive (a controller is highly recommended), and when you sync with the music, the game enters that elusive “peak flow state.” You aren’t just reacting to visual prompts; you are feeling the track. Leaning side-to-side, jumping on the snare, and slashing on the bass drop feels incredibly satisfying. As one user review perfectly described it: “It’s peak flowstate gaming at its finest.”
A Symphony on Snow
A rhythm game lives and dies by its soundtrack, and Fresh Tracks absolutely soars. The game features a 28-track original score that is as diverse as it is catchy. We are talking about a genre-crossing mix that ranges from synth-heavy house and pop to—wait for it—Mongolian throat-singing metal.
The music isn’t just background noise; it’s dynamic. It evolves with your performance. Nail a combo, and the track swells with complexity and volume. Mess up, and the music strips back, urging you to find the rhythm again. It creates a feedback loop in which you play better because you want to hear the song in all its glory. It is easily a contender for one of the best soundtracks of the last year.
The Mythics of Norwyn
Surprisingly, Fresh Tracks packs a narrative punch that most roguelites—and certainly most sports games—lack. The story is delivered through “song and story,” tapping into an oral storytelling tradition that feels mythic and grounded.
You meet various “Mythics,” the gods of this world, who are fully voiced by industry heavyweights like Peter Stormare (Until Dawn, Fargo) and Michael Antonakos (Assassin’s Creed Odyssey). The voice acting elevates the production value immensely. The story of Koda and the corruption of the land is surprisingly touching, offering themes of comfort and inspiration that resonated deeply with the player base. It’s not just an arcade runner; it’s a journey.
Roguelite on the Slopes
The game employs roguelite mechanics to keep you coming back. Each run is procedurally arranged, offering different paths, songs, and challenges. As you ski, you collect “Whyspers” and unlock upgrades that can help you survive longer or score higher.
While the core loop is addictive, the difficulty curve can be steep. The game is easy to pick up, but mastering the greater difficulties requires dexterity that borders on “eldritch incantations” of button inputs. However, the game offers plenty of accessibility options and difficulty settings, allowing you to tailor the experience whether you want a chill vibe session or a hardcore reflex test.
Performance: Verified Fresh
For handheld gamers, Fresh Tracks is a dream. It is Steam Deck Verified and runs flawlessly on the device. The vibrant, colorful art style pops on the screen, and the pick-up-and-play nature of the runs makes it perfect for commuting. Just make sure you have your headphones on, or you’re missing half the experience.
The Critique
If there is a criticism to make, it lies in the amount of content. With 28 tracks, dedicated players might burn through the setlist faster than they’d like. While the procedural generation shakes up the gameplay, the songs remain the same. However, the developers seem committed to the game, and the quality of what is there is undeniably high. Some users noted minor UI gripes and occasional bugs at launch, but recent patches seem to have significantly smoothed out the snow.
Fresh Tracks is a hidden gem that deserves a spotlight. It manages to feel nostalgic—evoking the golden era of Audiosurf and Guitar Hero—while feeling completely fresh thanks to its skiing mechanics and roguelite structure. It is a game that you can play to relax in a trance-like state or play to sweat in a high-octane score attack.
If you miss the days of dedicated rhythm games or just want something unique to play on your Steam Deck, this is well worth the lift ticket price.
| The Good | The Bad |
| Flow State Gameplay: The combination of skiing and rhythm combat is intuitive, satisfying, and addictive. | Limited Tracklist: With only 28 songs, heavy users might crave more musical variety over time. |
| Incredible Soundtrack: A diverse, dynamic score that stands as one of the best in the genre. | Steep Mastery Curve: High-level play can become an overwhelming flurry of inputs for some. |
| Voice Acting: Top-tier performances from Peter Stormare and Michael Antonakos add narrative weight. | Minor UI Gripes: Some menus can feel a bit clunky compared to the sleek gameplay. |
| Steam Deck Verified: Runs perfectly on handhelds, making it an ideal travel game. | |
| Visual Style: A colorful, stylized aesthetic that remains readable even at high speeds. |
Fresh Tracks: Fresh Tracks is a stylish, exhilarating fusion of sports and rhythm action. With a killer dynamic soundtrack, surprisingly deep lore, and addictive gameplay loop, it carves a unique niche in the indie scene. While the tracklist could be longer, every second on the mountain is a joy. – ColdMoon