Tape to Tape is a premium sports title for PC from developer Excellent Rectangle. It's a hockey game that features roguelike elements in its gameplay. In it, players are tasked with reviving an old team to its former glory, and every choice matters and affects how events unfold.

Compared to other hockey games like NHL 20 Beta, Tape to Tape features narrative and themes based more on fantasy. There are a variety of superstars to hire, and there's even a four-player local and online multiplayer mode to pit friends against one another in fast-paced matches.

Lead a ragtag group

Tape to Tape is what would happen if you took the sport and added fantasy themes and roguelike elements to the mix. You're the captain of a ragtag group of hockey players journeying across a mysterious land. Every decision you make will matter and affect how you will ultimately fulfill your task of returning the team to its former glory and discovering the secrets of hockey's last bastion.

As expected, the gameplay in Tape to Tape is far from realistic and utilizes a distinct puck physics system that allows your shots to bounce and ricochet from sticks and faces in a very 'natural' way. You will inevitably lose a lot in the beginning. Use that opportunity to visit the Blademaster to help toughen your guys and unlock new abilities and team synergies for your next run.

Each bounce that the puck makes off players leads to mini-battles for who gets first touch with their sticks to ricochet it across the ice towards the goal, and determines the flow of the game. Unfortunately, the game suffers from various balancing issues that sour the experience. Additionally, the player AI is quite bad and often ruins any kind of play you might be planning.

Fun but need more work

All in all, Tape to Tape is an arcade-like interpretation of the sport that should result in some fun and engaging gameplay. The concept is interesting but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. Hopefully, the issues mentioned above can be addressed as soon as possible, because there is a great game here. It just needs more tweaks to fully realize its potential.