Musical instruments require a great deal of hand-eye coordination — especially those which require the deft use of both hands at the same time, like woodwind and strings. And percussion. And brass. Okay, pretty much all instruments.

But rhythm games don't always replicate that tricky ambidextrous skill, so we're intrigued by the two-handed gameplay in Encounters: Music Stories, a game that combines music and rhythm with short, sweet stories about a wide range of marginalised or underrepresented people, like those with physical disabilities, people of colour, women in tech, the elderly, and the LGBTQ+ community.

There are multiple ways to play Encounters on the Switch: As a rhythm-tapping game, using the touch screen; pressing LB and RB in time with the music, or even swinging the Joy-Con down to the beat. If it's too difficult for you to do solo, there are two modes (easy and normal) and the option to play with a friend. If it's too easy, you can unlock Night Mode, which forces you to play the song without seeing the tiles.

The developers, I Love Media, recommend that the best way to play the game is by ear. "Music is so important in this game that once you learn the song you should be able to play even with your eyes closed, or in night mode. In fact, we recommend trust your hearing more than your sight."

Encounters will launch on the Nintendo Switch eShop on the 21st July, 2022.