By Crunchyroll
Report updated Apr 12, 2026
Crunchyroll: NecroDancer
For anime fans and rhythm-game enthusiasts who are already subscribed to or considering a Crunchyroll premium membership.
Crunchyroll: NecroDancer is a struggling games app that is available. With a 2.3/5 rating from 300 reviews, it struggles with user retention. Users particularly appreciate game quality, though subscription paywall remains a common concern.
What Is Crunchyroll: NecroDancer?
Current Momentum
v1.0.6 · 18mo ago
ZombieCrunchyroll: NecroDancer introduced 8-player cross-platform multiplayer and the Hatsune Miku DLC in late 2024, but has since entered a long-term hiatus.
Active Nemesis
Crypt of the NecroDancer (Original)
By Brace Yourself Games
Other Rivals
7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸
No ranking data
Recent User Mood 🇺🇸
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
How Is The App's Momentum Right Now?
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What Are The Key Features?
Dungeon crawling synchronized to music beats.
Exclusive DLC character targeting the anime demographic.
Online co-op and vs modes across different platforms.
Allows users to modify game aspects directly within the app.
Who is it for & how much does it cost?
Target Audience
Anime fans and rhythm-game enthusiasts who are already subscribed to or considering a Crunchyroll premium membership.
Pricing
Subscription- Crunchyroll Mega Fan ($9.99/mo)
- Crunchyroll Ultimate Fan ($14.99/mo)
The app uses a 'Game Vault' strategy to drive retention for Crunchyroll's streaming service. It avoids traditional IAPs in favor of a recurring membership fee, which has caused significant friction with users who prefer one-time premium purchases.
Who Built It?
Enrichment in progress
Publisher profile available very soon
What other apps does Crunchyroll make?
What do users think recently?
High confidence · 300 reviews analyzed
What is the recent mood?
“Recent user voice shows a upset sentiment. Users appreciate game quality, but report subscription paywall and retroactive access removal.”
What Users Love
Best mobile game of all time.
Very good rhythm roguelike game with lots of characters.
What Frustrates Users
Cannot be played without a subscription.
Crunchyroll is holding a game I spent my hard earned money on hostage.
I previously bought this game and this new app is not usable without a subscription.
Abandoned the version I already paid for.
What is the competitive landscape for Crunchyroll: NecroDancer?
How's The Games Market?
How does it evolve in the Games market?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Grossing | #91 | NEW |
Games Market Trend
Games market trend & dynamics
Available very soon
The rivals identified
The Nemesis
Head to Head
The original standalone version holds a massive edge in user trust and technical reliability. While the Crunchyroll version offers enticing extras like Hatsune Miku and multiplayer, the 'terrible' sentiment surrounding the subscription paywall and technical execution makes the original the preferred choice for hardcore players.
What sets Crunchyroll: NecroDancer apart
- +
Includes the Hatsune Miku character DLC which is a major draw for anime fans
- +
Features integrated cross-platform multiplayer support for up to 8 players
What's Crypt of the NecroDancer (Original)'s Edge
- -
Stronger reception with significantly higher user ratings and review volume
- -
No requirement for an external media subscription to maintain game access
Contenders
Focuses on 2D side-scrolling combat rather than top-down grid movement
Features a distinct 'wacky' art style compared to NecroDancer's dark fantasy aesthetic
Peers
Metroidvania-style exploration combined with punishing roguelike combat
Extensive post-launch support with numerous high-quality DLC expansions
Traditional rhythm game mechanics with a heavy focus on social and gacha elements
Official hub for the Vocaloid community with deep narrative content
New Kids on the Block
Rotaeno
X.D. Network Inc.
A rising star in the rhythm space that uses innovative gyroscope-based movement to differentiate from traditional tap-based games.
Unique 'rotation' mechanic that utilizes the physical movement of the device
Highly polished visual effects and modern electronic soundtrack
The outtake for Crunchyroll: NecroDancer
SWOT Analysis
Core Strengths
- Exclusive Hatsune Miku DLC
- 8-player cross-platform multiplayer
- Integrated mod portal
- High-quality award-winning core gameplay
Critical Frictions
- Mandatory subscription model alienates non-subscribers
- Reported touch control latency and tutorial crashes
- Negative brand perception from legacy players
Growth Levers
- Cross-promotion with Crunchyroll's 1,300+ anime titles
- Capturing hardcore roguelike fans from Netflix Games
- Expanding the 'Game Vault' library to increase subscription value
Market Threats
- Original standalone version offers a one-time purchase alternative
- High-quality rhythm competitors like Muse Dash and Rotaeno
- Technical instability leading to rapid churn
What are the next best moves?
Optimize touch control latency
Users report 'latency is off the charts,' which is a critical failure for a rhythm-based game where timing is the core mechanic.
Implement a 'Legacy User' verification or discount
The top complaint theme is 'Retroactive Access Removal' from users who already paid for the original game; addressing this could salvage the app's 2.3-2.7 star rating.
Clarify subscription requirements in the first fold of the App Store description
Sentiment data shows users feel 'tricked' by the free download only to find a paywall, leading to 'Upset' mood labels and 1-star reviews.
Feature Gaps vs Competitors
- One-time purchase option (available in Crypt of the NecroDancer Original)
- Offline mode stability (Original version is cited as having significantly higher technical stability)
Key Takeaways
Crunchyroll: NecroDancer is a high-quality product currently failing its market entry due to a business model that ignores its existing fan base. While the Hatsune Miku DLC is a brilliant strategic hook, the PM must prioritize fixing input latency and addressing the legacy user backlash to prevent the 'Terrible' sentiment from permanently capping its growth.
Where Is It Heading?
Stable
Terrible sentiment driven by subscription paywall — indicates long-term brand damage among core fans.
v1.0.7 added Hatsune Miku and Mod Portal — shows active investment in exclusive content to differentiate from the standalone version.
Ranked #91 Grossing (New) — suggests the Crunchyroll subscriber base is large enough to sustain the app despite poor reviews.