I don't usually plunk down in front of the TV to play rhythm games. It's not because I don't like them, but because I'm not good at them, save for the two I've actually completed: Parappa the Rapper and Elite Beat Agents. I'd count that really hard boss fight from the last chapter of Brave Fencer Musashi, but an almost impossible boss fight does not a whole game make. However, "Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Tone" is going to join the ranks of Parappa and Elite Beat Agents as an arcade-style rhythm game that I really like and one that I'm going to be investing a lot of time in!
The game stars Japanese virtual idol Hatsune Miku in a free-to-play arcade-style rhythm game. Unlike Parappa or Elite Beat Agents, Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Tone offers no story, no structure, no conflict, just the player and two songs (three if you count the game's adorable tutorial). That's right the main game (which is available to download for free) offers two songs and a tutorial. The rest of the songs are available as DLC packs for 29.99 or available in a bundle for 53.99 and are free to play in any order, due to the lack of a story mode (although there is a survival mode for players to enjoy). And the two packs available consist of "Future Tone" and Colorful Tone", with each containing their own song lists and costumes. Think of it as Rock Band, but you don't have to complete any songs to unlock the other songs! The lack of structure may be confusing to some players, but with so many good songs to choose from, you'll have no problem jumping right into the meat and potatoes of the game.
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Tone is a really great looking game with lots of gorgeous visuals and of course, great music. Stages and songs look like whole music videos, close to what you'd see on MTV (since they play music videos again). All of it looks great on our 55-inch big screen, with the sped up resolution, but I bet it'd look good on any TV. Players can even change character outfits once they've acquired enough in game currency or VP (Vocaloid Points). There's even a sweat suit for Miku to wear that resembles Sonic the Hedgehog, albeit Sonic with a mid-drift, but it's still Sonic.
Miku is an easy game to pick up, thanks to a thorough tutorial that's as adorable as the song accompanying it is catchy. Players simply have to line up button presses or joystick presses with what's on-screen while keeping with the rhythm of the song. Sounds simple, but it becomes tough to manage all the button presses when the input commands can come from any side of the screen, at RAPID speeds, instead of gently scrolling along the bottom of the screen. Players really need to hone in on the music as well as the button presses in order to rack up high scores.
"Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Tone” is also infinitely replayable. The songs are all so catchy that they'll get stuck in your head to the point that you can't wait to plunk down and dive in again! With over 220 songs total, you'll definitely find something catchy. For me, it's Levvan Polkka (no seriously, it's on my gym playlist and everything), and that's just the tutorial song. Out of possible 5 TOV stars, I give "Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Future Tone” game 4 stars! JDL Tested and Approved!
