Devil Jam Review: The Best Heavy Metal Roguelite on Xbox?

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If you’ve ever felt like your favorite heavy metal concerts were missing a bit more… literal hellfire and demonic combat, then Devil Jam is the encore you’ve been waiting for. Released just last week on Xbox (March 26, 2026), this survivors-like roguelite from Rogueside NV takes the addictive formula made famous by Vampire Survivors and injects it with a shot of pure adrenaline and distorted guitar riffs.

But does it hit the high notes, or is it just noise? Here’s my breakdown.

The Setup: A Contract Signed in Blood

You play as a 24-year-old washed-up musician who makes the classic mistake: signing a record deal with the Devil to become a metal icon. Naturally, you die on stage and wake up in the underworld, where Satan (ever the picky producer) informs you that you’ve breached your contract. To earn your soul back—and your legendary status—you have to mosh your way through endless hordes of deranged fans and rival monsters.

Gameplay: The Fretboard Revolution

At its core, Devil Jam is an auto-battler that focuses on movement and strategic positioning. However, it introduces a “fretboard” inventory system that is easily the game’s standout feature.

Instead of a standard list of items, you have a 12-slot grid modeled after a guitar fretboard. Where you place your abilities matters. Weapons and buffs fire off in sequence as a beat bar moves across the grid, allowing you to create rhythmic synergies. Placing certain gear next to each other can trigger explosive combos or massive stat boosts, turning your inventory management into a mini-game of “musical composition.”

Art & Sound: Hand-Drawn Metalhead Heaven

Visually, the game is a treat for fans of hand-drawn animation. The characters are expressive and stylish, reminiscent of Guns, Gore & Cannoli (another Rogueside classic).

Then there’s the music. Composed by Deon van Heerden, the soundtrack is a high-octane metal feast. While the tracks can get repetitive during long runs, the boss fights—themed around the Seven Deadly Sins—bring unique sonic personalities to the table. Fighting “Wrath” (a demonic drummer) or “Envy” (a jealous lead singer) feels like being in the front row of a chaotic festival.

What I Loved:

  • The Fretboard System: It adds a layer of tactical depth often missing from the “survivors” genre.
  • The Price Point: At just $7.59, it’s an absolute steal for the amount of “one-more-run” addictiveness it offers.
  • Boss Variety: Taking on Death himself as the final act is a satisfying, bullet-hell-infused challenge.

What Could Be Improved:

  • Difficulty Spikes: Some bosses feel like massive “DPS checks,” where if you haven’t optimized your fretboard perfectly, you’ll hit a brick wall.
  • Soundtrack Variety: For a game so focused on music, we would have loved a few more licensed tracks or a wider variety of sub-genres (maybe some Doom Metal for the slower levels?).

Final Verdict

Devil Jam doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it certainly puts some spiked tires on it. It’s loud, fast, and incredibly satisfying to play. If you’re a fan of roguelites and own an Xbox, this is a must-download for your next gaming session.

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