Trombone Champ: Unflattened is a testament to the power of pure, unadulterated fun in gaming.
There's something magical about picking up a virtual trombone and unleashing chaos upon classical music's greatest hits. Trombone Champ: Unflattened transforms the beloved PC game into a fully immersive VR experience that had me grinning from ear to ear throughout my entire playthrough.
You step into the shoes (or rather, grab the brass) of an aspiring trombonist on a quest for musical greatness. The game presents itself as a rhythm game where you'll be performing classical masterpieces and public domain hits, but with a crucial twist - you're doing it all with a virtual trombone, and precision is entirely optional.
The setting is delightfully absurd, with performances taking place on a stage filled with Mii-like characters who react dramatically to your musical prowess (or lack thereof). Whether you're nailing every note or creating sounds that would make Mozart roll in his grave, the audience's reactions add an extra layer of comedy to the experience. I absolutely love how the game embraces the absurdity of the concept, runs with it and doesn't take itself too seriously. In fact, it even pokes fun at itself at times, like when you find the "hidden" baboon which is there just to add to the complicated lore of the game.
The core gameplay loop is deceptively simple yet challenging to master. Using your Quest 3 controllers, one hand holds the trombone while the other controls the slide. Notes fly toward you from either side (though you can adjust this in the settings), and you need to position the slide correctly while pressing the trigger to "toot" at the right moment.
The physical act of playing feels surprisingly natural in VR. Moving the slide in and out to hit different pitches creates a genuine sense of playing a real instrument, even if the results are often hilariously off-key. The game is forgiving enough that even when you mess up spectacularly, you can continue playing and potentially win back the crowd with a particularly well-timed toot.
What makes Trombone Champ: Unflattened special is how it embraces imperfection. Unlike traditional rhythm games where missing notes feels punishing, here it's often just as entertaining to play badly as it is to play well. The game understands that there's joy in failure, and it celebrates both mastery and mishap with equal enthusiasm.
The free play mode is particularly enjoyable, allowing you to experiment with songs without the pressure of scoring. It's in these moments where the game's true spirit shines - it's not about perfection, it's about having fun and embracing the inherent humor of a virtual trombone experience.
The game offers a robust progression system through its World Tour mode, where you unlock new and increasingly challenging songs. As you play, you earn "notes" (the in-game currency) that can be spent on collectible cards featuring classical composers and musicians. These cards aren't just for show - collecting pairs allows you to unlock new trombones with unique visual and audio characteristics.
Speaking of trombones, the customization options are a delightful addition. From traditional brass instruments to more outlandish variants, each trombone brings its own personality to your performances. Some even modify the sound effects, adding another layer of hilarity to your musical adventures.
The song selection primarily focuses on classical music and public domain tunes, which works surprisingly well within the game's comedic framework. There's something inherently funny about attempting to play "Ode to Joy" while an audience of digital characters either cheers you on or recoils in horror. Having said that, I can't wait to see the game expand its song library with new and modern tunes via DLC packs.
On the Quest 3, the game runs smoothly and looks crisp. The visual style strikes a perfect balance between clean, readable gameplay elements and charming, cartoon-like aesthetics. The stages are well-designed, offering enough visual interest without distracting from the core gameplay. The menu system deserves special mention - it's both intuitive and entertaining. Between songs, you can browse through interesting tidbits about the music and composers, adding an educational element that never feels forced or dry.
The audio design is where the game truly shines. Your trombone's sounds are responsive and satisfying, whether you're playing perfectly or generating what can only be described as musical chaos. The crowd reactions, from enthusiastic cheers to desperate boos, are perfectly timed and never fail to amuse. There's also a cool mixed reality mode, where you can place the stage in your room and play the game. It's completely optional, but it's a nice touch that adds to the game's overall appeal.
Trombone Champ: Unflattened is a testament to the power of pure, unadulterated fun in gaming. It takes a simple concept and executes it brilliantly in VR, creating an experience that's both accessible and deeply entertaining. The game's greatest achievement is how it makes you feel like both a musical genius and a complete novice simultaneously, and somehow makes both experiences equally rewarding. It's a reminder that sometimes the best games are the ones that don't take themselves too seriously and focus purely on player enjoyment.
For Quest 3 owners, this is an essential addition to your library. It's the kind of game that you'll want to show to friends and family, if only to watch them dissolve into laughter as they attempt to master the art of virtual trombone playing. In a gaming landscape often focused on complexity and competition, Trombone Champ: Unflattened stands out as a pure celebration of joy, music, and the art of not taking yourself too seriously. Thanks for reading!
The game was previewed on a Quest 3 via a promo copy provided by the publisher. Trombone Champ: Unflattened is available on Meta Quest, PSVR2 and PCVR.
