Item: Lanota - Music game with story
Rating: 90
Author: Dinsun

Dinsun Review

I'm genuinely impressed by the creativity here. Most rhythm games are just falling blocks, but Lanota's circular board makes you think about the space differently. It’s difficult—sometimes frustratingly so—because the board moves while you’re trying to hit notes, but it feels fair. It’s a skill you have to learn.

The story is told with a quiet dignity through lovely illustrations. It doesn't scream at you or try to sell you anything every five seconds. The music is eclectic and high-quality, leaning towards orchestral and indie styles rather than overplayed pop. It’s a sophisticated piece of work that respects the player’s intelligence and taste. Highly recommended for those who want a bit more 'art' in their games.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Unique circular rhythm mechanics
Gorgeous picture-book art style
High-quality, diverse soundtrack

Board rotation can cause motion sickness for some
Significant difficulty spikes in later chapters
Some story progression is locked behind DLC

Technical Report

Performance: Highly optimized; smooth rotation even on older iPads.

Accessibility:

Calibrate offset for audio lag
Multiple speed settings

Audience Fit

Buy if: You want a rhythm game with a soul and unique gameplay.

Skip if: You struggle with moving camera angles or high-difficulty rhythm play.

Similar Games:

Cytus II
VOEZ

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, the conservative critic
Hardware: iPad Pro
Playtime: 12 hours
Status: Finished Chapter 4

The Game

Available on: iPhone, iPad, iPod

1050535507

$1.99 📅9+★4.9 1968 reviews

Author : Noxy Games Inc.

Pubish Date : Fri Jun 14 2024

Last Update Date : Fri Feb 13 2026

Support Languages : English, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Traditional Chinese

Genres :

Version 3.1.1Fri Feb 13 2026

Version 3.1.1: some improvements and fixes.
Save the world by the power of music in this dynamic & refreshing rhythm game!
Play the tunes and follow the rhythm, explore and revive the world. Unlock music of various genres, conquer specially designed boss-stages, and indulge in an artistic picture book!
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
2016 1st IMGA SEA “Excellence in Audio”
2017 Taipei Game Show Indie Game Award “Best Audio”
2017 13th IMGA Global Nominee
2017 Indie Prize Award in Casual Connect Asia “Best Mobile Game” Nominee
FEATURES
>> Innovative and Dynamic Rhythm Game
Not the rhythm game you used to know: we add unique animation to the plate you'll be playing on. Dozens of fantastic music tracks and amazing boss-stage features, different charts and challenges; gentle or intense, beginners, advanced players and experts can all have their game!
>> Artistic and Refreshing Picture Book
"I trust that you, the one blessed by the gods of melody, can surely revive the former world order."
"Tune" the chaotic energy back to harmony, and the world will gradually reveal. Explore places on the map, read a beautifully handcrafted picture book, and collect items on the way as souvenir!
>> Achievement, Leaderboard, and More
Collect achievements as the story progress, share your results to friends, and compete with other players on the leaderboard. Supports cloud save.
LINKS
Official site https://noxygames.com/lanota/
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use https://noxygames.com/lanota/privacy.html
Twitter https://twitter.com/Noxy_Lanota_EN/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lanota/
Discord Server https://discord.gg/lanota
Requires iOS 15.0 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
Save the world by the power of music in this dynamic & refreshing rhythm game!
Play the tunes and follow the rhythm, explore and revive the world. Unlock music of various genres, conquer specially designed boss-stages, and indulge in an artistic picture book!
AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS
2016 1st IMGA SEA “Excellence in Audio”
2017 Taipei Game Show Indie Game Award “Best Audio”
2017 13th IMGA Global Nominee
2017 Indie Prize Award in Casual Connect Asia “Best Mobile Game” Nominee
FEATURES
>> Innovative and Dynamic Rhythm Game
Not the rhythm game you used to know: we add unique animation to the plate you'll be playing on. Dozens of fantastic music tracks and amazing boss-stage features, different charts and challenges; gentle or intense, beginners, advanced players and experts can all have their game!
>> Artistic and Refreshing Picture Book
"I trust that you, the one blessed by the gods of melody, can surely revive the former world order."
"Tune" the chaotic energy back to harmony, and the world will gradually reveal. Explore places on the map, read a beautifully handcrafted picture book, and collect items on the way as souvenir!
>> Achievement, Leaderboard, and More
Collect achievements as the story progress, share your results to friends, and compete with other players on the leaderboard. Supports cloud save.
LINKS
Official site https://noxygames.com/lanota/
Privacy Policy & Terms of Use https://noxygames.com/lanota/privacy.html
Twitter https://twitter.com/Noxy_Lanota_EN/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/lanota/
Discord Server https://discord.gg/lanota

In-Game Events

NEW SEASON

Event: Retro Fantasia

Fantasy begins the moment you press START!

This event features three music tracks fusing retro chiptune melodies with the spirit of classic adventure!

Starts: 2/12/2026Ends: 2/25/2026

Ratings & Reviews

4.9 out of 5 with 1968 Counts

★★★★★

Age Rating 9+

Lanota is a refreshing indie rhythm game that combines music, storytelling, and an innovative circular interface. Players step into a world where a mysterious phenomenon has drained the land of sound and color. By playing through various musical tracks on a rotating plate, you help the heroes, Fisica and Ritmo, restore the world. The gameplay requires tapping, sliding, and holding notes as they radiate from the center of a moving circle. With a rich narrative presented through an illustrated picture book and a diverse selection of high-quality songs, Lanota is an audiovisual masterpiece.

Features

Innovative circular 'tuner' rhythm mechanics

Heartwarming story told through an illustrated book

Over 100 tracks from famous composers

Four difficulty levels to suit all players

Stunning hand-drawn artistic style

Tips

Mastering the Flick Note

Flick notes in Lanota require a quick swipe in the direction indicated. Because the board rotates, the direction of the flick is relative to the board's current orientation. Focus on the center 'tuner' to anticipate these moves.

Promotion Videos

Lanota 2.6: Main Story Ch. VII "Escape and Destruction" Official Trailer - YouTube

News on this game

20 Best Mobile Rhythm Games

Rhythm games are a popular genre of games for those that want to play with a great variety of music, and these are the best ones on mobile.

Game Rant - Mon Jul 29 2024

The 15 Best Rhythm Games for iOS, Ranked Worst to Best

Tap your way out of boredom. Here are the best rhythm games for iOS, ranked! We've got all the tempo and beats for you.

www.highgroundgaming.com - Fri Apr 29 2022

17 best rhythm games on Android

we've compiled a list of some of the best rhythm games you can play on Android, offering well-polished gameplay for all the finger-tapping exercises you can...

Android Police - Sat Oct 29 2022

Rhythm game Lanota coming to Switch in June

Noxy Games-developed rhythm game Lanota is coming to Switch in June, publisher Flyhigh Works announced. Lanota is currently available for iOS via the App Store...

Gematsu - Tue May 29 2018

Gameplays

The Rotating Board

Unlike static rhythm games, the Lanota board moves and rotates during a song. This adds a layer of difficulty and immersion, as you must track the notes across the entire screen as the 'tuner' reacts to the music's intensity.