This guide to Tape to Tape Gameplay, Control & Tips is your survival guide to a hockey game where a perfect one-timer can turn into a spectacular disaster. In Tape to Tape 1.0, Angus McShaggy leads his Squad through a roguelite campaign where even the rules of hockey aren’t always safe.
I’ll walk you through the controls, how to score goals, and how to make the most of Relics and Power-ups. You’ll also find beginner tips to help you survive longer runs, because sending opponents flying across the ice is fun, but winning the match is even better.
Table of Contents
Tape to Tape Gameplay: How to Play
Tape to Tape is an arcade hockey roguelite where you control Angus McShaggy and lead your squad through a campaign filled with unusual opponents. The hockey itself is fast-paced. You skate around the rink, pass the puck between teammates and look for an opening to score. You can also use bodychecks to disrupt opponents or special abilities to gain an advantage.
But scoring goals is only half the game. The campaign takes you across a world map, where you choose your route between matches. Along the way, you can recruit new skaters or improve the ones already on your team.
Each opponent brings something different to the ice, and some don’t exactly respect the rules. Losing a match ends your run. You’ll have to start another one, but unlocked content gives you more options for building your team next time.
The 1.0 campaign also introduces a new challenge-based progression system. Completing challenges unlocks additional skaters, Power-ups, Relics and Squads, which gives you more ways to approach future runs.
Tape to Tape Controls: Keyboard and Controller
Tape to Tape supports both keyboard and controller inputs, although a controller is recommended. Before starting a match, check the in-game controls to see which buttons handle each action.
Tape to Tape 1.0 introduced changes to player movement and controls, so it’s worth familiarizing yourself with your current layout. Your main actions revolve around skating, passing, shooting and bodychecking. You can also acquire special abilities that change how your skaters perform on the ice.
How to Pass and Shoot in Tape to Tape
Passing is essential if you want to create good scoring opportunities. Instead of carrying the puck directly toward the goalie, look for a teammate with some space and send it their way.
You can use regular passes to move the puck quickly or saucer passes to get it through more difficult situations.
Shooting requires a little more thought. Goalies react to the puck and reposition themselves, so taking every shot from directly in front of them isn’t a great plan.
One-timers are particularly useful. Set up a pass toward an open teammate and attempt a one-timer as they receive the puck. Practice the timing until you can turn passes into immediate scoring attempts.
The game also includes wrist shots and slapshots, although some Squads change which shots are available.
Tape to Tape Defense: Bodychecks and Pokechecks
You can knock opponents off the puck with a bodycheck, but there’s more to defense than sending someone into the boards. Pay attention to positioning and watch for passing opportunities.
Your AI teammates can help cover space or intercept the puck, but abandoning your defensive position can still leave the opposition with an opening.
Pokechecking also depends on your chosen Squad. For example, the Modern Squad uses manual pokechecks, so its defensive controls differ from the standard style.
If the controls aren’t clicking, try Practice Mode before jumping back into the campaign. You can work on your hockey skills without risking an entire run.
Tape to Tape Campaign Upgrades and Relics
Winning matches gets you further through the campaign, but your decisions between them can make just as much difference.
The Training Center allows you to improve skater attributes, while the No. 1 Fan offers an opportunity to develop a new talent for one of your skaters. You can also visit the Blademaster to improve abilities or recruit additional skaters through Free Agent opportunities. The Infirmary is another possible stop, although its idea of helping the team involves sacrificing a skater.
As you progress, you’ll encounter Relics and Power-ups that can change how your squad performs. Their effects can complement one another, so it’s worth paying attention to what you already have before choosing another upgrade.
Roster management matters, too. Some Squads have space for extra Benchwarmers, allowing you to bring additional skaters along. Injuries can also affect who you want in your active lineup.
When building a team, I’d focus on upgrades that work well together rather than grabbing every flashy ability that appears. A good combination can be more useful than a collection of unrelated bonuses.
Tape to Tape Squads: Which One Should You Choose?
Tape to Tape 1.0 features 19 playable Squads, and each changes the experience through its own rules or gameplay mechanics.
The October 24 Steam hotfix increased the number of starting Squads from three to six, leaving 13 more to unlock. It made the 16-Bit, Modern and Violence Squads available from the start. Console versions are receiving the change through separate updates.
Among the starting choices are the 16-Bit Squad, which brings retro hockey gameplay and speed bursts, and the Modern Squad, which introduces offsides and manual pokechecking. Then there’s the Violence Squad, which focuses on explosive hits and heavy bodychecking. Subtlety clearly wasn’t invited to that meeting.
Other Squads offer different challenges. The GM Squad emphasizes recruiting Free Agents, while the Slapshot Squad removes wrist shots from your offensive options.
For your first few runs, it’s a good idea to stick with a straightforward Squad until you’re comfortable with passing and defending. After that, experimenting with different rules is part of the fun.
Best Tape to Tape Tips
Tape to Tape isn’t just about scoring goals. Good positioning and smart upgrades can make a big difference in how far you get through a run. Here are a few beginner tips to help you improve your game and avoid an early exit from the campaign.
Tape to Tape Shooting Tips: Don’t Rush Every Shot
Just because you’re close to the net doesn’t mean you have a good scoring opportunity. Goalies can track the puck and react to incoming shots, so try moving it across the ice before shooting. A well-timed pass can create a better angle than charging straight toward the crease.
Also, keep an eye on rebounds. A save doesn’t always mean the play is over, and staying near the action gives you another chance to recover the puck.
How to Score With One-Timers in Tape to Tape
One-timers are worth practicing early because they let you turn a pass into an immediate scoring attempt. Watch your teammates as you approach the offensive zone. If one has space near the net, try delivering the puck while they’re in a position to shoot.
The timing takes some getting used to, especially when the puck is moving quickly. I wouldn’t worry about making every one-timer perfect at first. Getting comfortable with the passing angle is a good place to start.
Tape to Tape Defensive Tips: Stop Chasing Hits
Big hits are satisfying, but chasing every opponent around the rink can leave your defense exposed. Try to stay between the opposing skater and your goal whenever possible. Maintaining good positioning gives you a better chance to disrupt an attack before it becomes a dangerous shot.
Bodychecks are still valuable, particularly when you’re close enough to make solid contact. Just don’t let the urge to flatten someone pull you completely out of position.
Tape to Tape Relic and Power-up Tips
Relics and Power-ups can stack effects, so think about how each new addition fits your existing lineup. If your team already benefits from a particular ability, look for upgrades that work alongside it. A different combination might be better for another Squad.
It’s also worth considering your roster before choosing an event on the world map. A Training Center visit may help your current skaters, while a Free Agent opportunity could give you another option for the lineup.
Best Tape to Tape Difficulty for Beginners
Tape to Tape offers four campaign difficulties: Rookie, Pro, Veteran and Nightmare.
Rookie is a sensible starting point while you’re learning how the new campaign works. It gives you room to become familiar with the controls before taking on tougher challenges.
Once you’re comfortable with the gameplay, you can move up to Pro or Veteran. Nightmare is there for when regular hockey apparently isn’t painful enough.
Tape to Tape Boss Fight Tips: Learn Your Opponents
Not every opposing team behaves the same way. Some bring unusual abilities into a match, while others have their own strategies or unexpected interpretations of hockey rules.
Pay attention to what makes each opponent dangerous. You may need to change your approach instead of relying on the same scoring setup throughout the campaign. The more comfortable you become with adapting your tactics, the better prepared you’ll be for elite encounters and boss matches.
Tape to Tape Multiplayer: How to Play Co-op
Tape to Tape supports local multiplayer, and you can play the roguelite campaign in couch co-op. On PS5, Tape to Tape supports up to four local participants. On PC, Steam Remote Play Together lets you join friends remotely, although the game doesn’t support native online multiplayer.
Co-op gives you more direct control over what happens on the ice, but it also makes communication important. Someone needs to be ready for a pass instead of letting the entire team chase the puck.
And when a carefully planned attack turns into complete chaos? Well, that’s pretty much Tape to Tape.
