Let’s Sing 2025 Review (PS5) – What Was I Made For?
As I prepare my vocals for another shot at Zombie by The Cranberries, I have a revelation. My palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy and I’m beginning to realise that every year, around this time, I am the only person on the team at Finger Guns with the gall to review karaoke games. Now that’s fine, I don’t mind having a niche and I’d be one of the only people on earth who would rather play this than a From Software title, but still.
My background in vocal performance as a professional gig you would think would put me in good stead in a game like Let’s Sing 2025. I understand rhythm, vocal ranges, tempo and control. I know when a song is out of my range and I’ve struggled with some this year to write this review, but that’s ok. If we’re carrying on the metaphor, Let’s Sing 2025 is my Elden Ring. Zombie, my Malenia, Blade of Miquella.
And that’s not to say it’s particularly difficult – I’m absolutely dumbfounded to discover once again singing any song in your lowest vocal resonance can get you through these games just as much as powering, soaring vocals from your mate Kath who performs an Adele tribute every Friday at The Cock Inn. Once you work this out there’s absolutely no effort needed in the game whatsoever. It’s the karaoke game equivalent of that moment when we all found out we can be just as good at Wii Sports bowling sitting on our sofa.
This sudden moment of realisation makes you wonder why on earth you’re bothering at all. Let’s Sing 2025 is a nice update, but there’s so little that’s ‘updated’ this time around it’s hard to really say it’s worth an upgrade. Particularly if you’re already a subscriber to its VIP Pass.
It’s the FIFA conundrum (or the EA FC one, whatever). Should yearly games like this really come out in physical packages with a full price whacked on or should they simply be updated yearly to keep up with what’s popular? The track list of 2025 is nothing to be sniffed at, the likes of Teddy Swims, Billie Eilish, Benson Boone are present and correct, and anybody who is anyone in the pop world are represented and will no doubt appeal to those who buy this game on a yearly basis (how many microphones must they have at this point?), but typically the greatest songs are locked behind a paywall that expands the library by 150 songs.
I’m not huge on in-game subscriptions but I have to say it’s well worth it as, whilst the 2025 included playlist is good, it’s hardly genre spanning. Uprising by Muse? Nah, give me Knights of Cydonia thanks. There’s no indie or new rock to speak of, baffling considering the year Linkin Park have had that one of their newer hits isn’t here. The VIP Pass offers a huge variety of songs across all genres, so there’s certainly something for everyone.
And then there’s the biggest competition of all – YouTube. Whilst it’s pretty simple to plug in and play the included microphones, or belt Ariana Grande into your phone with the downloadable app, the selection of songs is still fairly minimal and will likely not have a song you really want to sing. There’s always one and Let’s Sing has never really facilitated this concern. The VIP Pass, naturally, includes karaoke classics such as Bon Jovi’s ‘You Give Love A Bad Name’ or ‘What’s Up’ by 4 Non Blondes, so after the included free trial you’re going to be paying up to sing these songs in your own living room, whereas karaoke channels on YouTube that are consistently updated offer it up for free. There’s not much to argue against that, especially as you can’t even hear yourself sing through the game this year. Which is kinda the point of karaoke, isn’t it?
Still, if you’re all in on Let’s Sing, this year’s iteration does add a little bit extra to its included modes. Last year I did have a slight concern with the games UI, and how it was difficult to navigate smoothly. 2025 seems to have taken that to heart and has rebuilt the interface, allowing for much cleaner navigation and clearer and obvious options. The Career Mode has very nearly gone all The Journey with Alex Hunter and established a mode with additional characters who will push your career through a variety of shows (in Soundtown, no less) until you eventually outsell The Eras Tour. Maybe.
I liked the options of choosing arenas and intimate settings, and the songs you sing will reflect your choice. I saw myself as a bit more chill so Lewis Capaldi and the aforementioned Benson Boone got me through. Just about. Who knew Hakuna Matata was such a pain in the ass to sing? Not me and I’ve been belting that nonsense since 1994.
Of course, this is Let’s Sing and you’ll fully get the most of this game with some friends around. The Classic mode is exactly that. You can play solo or with your mates and it becomes a far more enjoyable experience when you’re not just singing sad Billie Eilish songs into your PlayStation by yourself before sighing loudly because you only got two stars. With mates the experience naturally becomes a communal one and is all the better for it.
Then there’s the Feat. mode, which allows you to sing smaller parts of the song with someone else. You can literally become Pitbull and that’s nothing to be ignored. He’s worldwide, you know. You and a friend can take on certain songs and one of you only has to sing the parts of the song’s duet partner, or take up some backing vocals if you so desire. Extra points are available for harmonising, so if you and your mates have it about you, you’re able to rack up some pretty hefty xp in this mode.
For the most part though, Let’s Sing 2025 is a redress of Let’s Sing 2024, and we should be used to that by now. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. 2024 was an enjoyable iteration with a cracking playlist. 2025 is an enjoyable iteration with a mediocre playlist. If you’re a fan of the series you’ll know the deal by now and if you absolutely must belt out Everytime We Touch by Cascada into your iPhone then you already know if you’re going to pick it up or not. Personally, the playlist isn’t as good or as varied as last years, and that’s kind of a dealbreaker for a karaoke game.
Let’s Sing 2025 is available now on Xbox Series S|X, Xbox One, PS5 (review platform), PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Developer: Voxler
Publisher: Plaion
Disclaimer: In order to complete this review, we were provided with a promotional copy of the game. For our full review policy, please go here.
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