Thrasher, the Follow-Up from the Artist and Composer Behind Thumper, Is Now Available on Steam

Nearly a decade after the release of Thumper, one of the most visually and sonically striking rhythm games ever made, its creator Brian Gibson has returned with a powerful new project titled Thrasher. Developed under the new label Puddle, co-founded by Gibson and Mike Mandel, the game initially launched as a VR-exclusive in July 2024 for Meta Quest and Apple Vision Pro. As of November 7, 2025, Thrasher has officially arrived on Steam, bringing its hypnotic audiovisual experience to both PC VR and standard desktop players for the first time.

Much like its predecessor, Thrasher is an intense fusion of rhythm, speed, and sensory overload, designed to deliver a deeply immersive experience through its distinctive blend of visuals and sound. Its Steam release makes the game accessible to a much wider audience, allowing players to experience Gibson’s latest artistic vision even without a VR headset.

The Steam version includes 27 levels spread across nine main stages and three distinct game modes, providing substantial replay value for both rhythm enthusiasts and players seeking a challenge. The game’s dynamic audio-reactive design once again showcases Gibson’s unique talent for combining visual art and music into a seamless, visceral journey.

For existing fans, there is an added bonus: players who already own Thumper on Steam are eligible for an exclusive discount on Thrasher. New players can also take advantage of a 10% launch discount available for a limited time.

While there is no official word yet on potential console releases, the successful adaptation of Thrasher for non-VR PC gameplay suggests that PlayStation and Xbox ports may be considered in the future, especially given Gibson’s history of bringing Thumper to multiple platforms, including PS VR and Nintendo Switch.

With its mix of entrancing visuals, pulsating soundscapes, and high-speed rhythm mechanics, Thrasher reaffirms Gibson’s mastery of sensory-driven game design. It stands as both a spiritual successor to Thumper and a new exploration of rhythm-based gameplay in a fully immersive, modern setting.

 
Have you played Thrasher yet? Do you think it matches or even surpasses the audiovisual impact of Thumper? Share your impressions below.