Friday, January 16, 2015

Five games I'd recommend playing as part of #RhythmMonth

January is half over, and I've yet to do more than ogle (and only briefly, at that) the game I'm planning to play as part of Anne Lee's #RhythmMonth extravaganza.

(The game I'm eyeing up, both figuratively and literally, by the way, is Osawari Detective Ozawa Rina Nameko Rhythm, a wacky 3DS spinoff of the Touch Detective series.)

I'm going to do my best to devote some time to the above-mentioned title this weekend (and then share my impressions here next week, of course), but in the meantime I thought I'd write up a few blurbs about some of my favorite rhythm games--games I'd highly recommend to anyone who is keen on participating in Anne's game-along but hasn't a clue as to what to play.


HarmoKnight (3DS eShop)--This choice could be called controversial, considering I wasn't entirely enamored with the game after my first encounter with it, but I still think it's worth checking out if you're looking for a vibrant-looking game that combines elements of the platformer and rhythm genres. I probably wouldn't make it my first #RhythmMonth pick, though, unless I'd already played the other titles discussed in this post.


Patapon (PSP)--Whereas the Game Freak-made HarmoKnight mashes together the platformer and rhythm genres, this Pyramid-developed title does the same with the rhythm and strategy genres. It, too, has an altogether appealing art style, plus it's far less aggravating than the aforementioned 3DS game, so you'd do well to consider it if you own a PSP or Vita.


Rhythm Tengoku (GBA)--Of the three Rhythm Tengoku (Rhythm Heaven and Rhythm Paradise in other regions) that have been released so far, this is my favorite. Its purposely rough graphics are sure to put a grin on your face, as are its maddeningly catchy tunes. The highlight, though, is the one-button gameplay, which keeps frustration to a minimum. That said, the DS and Wii sequels are well worth experiencing, too, so if they're cheaper and easier for you to obtain, don't feel bad about going with one or both of them instead.


Space Channel 5 (Dreamcast, PS2)--I've had a ridiculously good time playing the original (Dreamcast) version of this game over the years. The soundtrack is stuffed full of songs you'll be humming long after you power down your system, and the aesthetics are as pleasing as any Sega has produced in its long and tumultuous history. Should you not have a Dreamcast or PS2 handy, or should you simply not want to invest in those iterations of this title, though, you can't go wrong by picking up the sequel (shown in the screenshot above), which has been available via PSN, Steam and XBLA for ages now.


Theatrhythm Final Fantasy (3DS, iOS)--Based on everything I've heard and read so far, you'd be wise to purchase and play this game's Curtain Call follow-up rather than the original. I've yet to play the just-released sequel, though, so I can't say anything about it here. If it's anything like the first Theatrhythm, though, it's a thrilling addition to the genre that deserves the attention even of folks who aren't Final Fantasy fans.

A handful of rhythm games I've heard are good but have yet to play myself: Gitaroo Man (PS2/PSP), any/all of the Hatsune Miku titles, Maestro! Jump in Music (DS), Magical Beat (Vita), most of the Taiko no Tatsujin titles and Vib Ribbon (PS1/PS4/Vita).

20 comments:

finchiekins said...

I'm surprised you didn't like Harmoknight! I didn't think it was amazing, but i enjoyed it all the way through. It's been a little while since i played it, but i liked the extra courses a lot more than the normal ones.
I do agree it was a little disappointing. The extra characters were't used nearly enough, and for being a GameFreak game, there weren't many super catchy tracks.

thegaygamer.com said...

I did like it overall, finchiekins, but I also found some aspects of it to be rather frustrating/aggravating, especially for the price.

Monster_Hunter2882 said...

Funnily enough I got the copy of Theatrythm Final Fantasy Curtain Call that I ordered today shortly before seeing this post. So far I'm enjoying it and I like how they use the original versions song as they allow you to hear how video game music has evolved since the original on the NES. I wish the sound quality was better though.

thegaygamer.com said...

That's great, Sam! I have Curtain Call but have yet to play it :| I loved the first one, though. I have to say, I don't remember the sound quality of the first one being bad at all, but then again I don't know if I have an ear for such things...

Monster_Hunter2882 said...

I should point out though that when I played it I was playing on it headphones set lowish while my bf watched tv so I might need to try playing it while there isn't much noise at a higher volume.

thegaygamer.com said...

A ha! There you go. Actually, you may be right. It's been quite some time since I played the original, although like I said, I don't remember the sound quality being bad. I guess I'll have to pull out that copy of Curtain Call that I got for my birthday and give it a go soon so I can find out one way or the other...

TheGameroomBlitz said...

Garbage can crab? I think that's the special at Red Lobster this month.

thegaygamer.com said...

You know, Jess, I don't think I noticed that until now. The HarmoKnight character, I mean, not the part about Red Lobster. I've known about Red Lobster for ages :P

Chief said...

SMT xFE seems like vaporware at this point. It was in the WiiU presentation and we've got nothing concrete shown yet. I bet it gets pushed to New WiiU.

thegaygamer.com said...

I think it's still coming, personally, although we'll need to see screens/footage of it at E3, I would imagine, if that's to be true...

Chief said...

I don't doubt it coming, I question the timing. The Atlus acquisition by Sega seems to have put everything except Persona & Etrian Odyssey on hold. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Matt S said...

The lack of Hatsune Miku, the very princess of rhythm, on this list saddens me greatly. I dd a tally of how long I have played the two Project Diva games - 338 hours and counting.

I think it's safe to say I recommend those two games for rhythm month and every other month besides :-P

thegaygamer.com said...

Uh, Matt, I included the Hatsune Miku "series" in the "handful of rhythm games I've heard are good but have yet to play myself" section at the end of this post :)


Also, I'll be pre-ordering Project Mirai DX for the 3DS as soon as I'm able, and I'll likely pick up one of the PSP or Vita games soon, so don't fret too much!


I'm glad to hear you've enjoyed your time with the Project Diva games, though. Thanks for letting me and others here know that!

Matt S said...

Haha, I totally missed that bottom bit - my bad :P

But yeah, I'm a massive fan of rhythm games, but Miku's something well beyond just a rhythm game.

In fact, I suspect in Japan's Joypolis (SEGA-owned indoor theme park and arcade), the top score on one of the Miku arcade cabinets in there is still some white dude called "Matt". I killed it when I was in Japan recently :P

TheGameroomBlitz said...

Well, there's no shortage of games for me to play... I just don't have the motivation to play them. Space Harrier and Galaxy Force were fun briefly, but I quickly lost interest in them. Umihara Kawase makes me want to tear my 3DS in half. Crimson Shroud is capital B boring. Mario Kart 7 is kind of pedestrian next to 8. And so on.

I forced myself to return to Zelda after a several month absence. I was stuck at Hyrule Castle but after looking at a strategy guide, I'm not really sure why. I'm stunningly oblivious when it comes to these kinds of games, which makes me wonder if I really want any of the RPGs from the recent Sony sale.

Anyway! I AM enjoying ALBW now that I know where I'm going. Beyond that, I just don't find myself playing the 3DS much, making me feel slightly silly for purchasing the big screen model. Since I'm here, I might as well ask... what would you recommend?

Xinen said...

I'm not really big on these types of games, because honestly I'm a metalhead, but the one game that struck a chord with me was Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan! on the DS. I imported it with my pink DS years ago (that I also sadly sold) along with a few other titles obviously. But man that game is so Japanese and awesome. The majority of the game made me laugh, such as the horse ditching its jockey to catch a crook, to the tear-jerking separated lovers. Ah man... getting choked up again...

thegaygamer.com said...

Well, in your defense, Matt, it was at the bottom of the post :)


Also, I love your story about "killing it" while playing a Miku cabinet in a Japanese Joypolis recently. I don't suppose there are photos of videos of this experience??

thegaygamer.com said...

I really have to get both of the Ouendan games soon, Xinen. So thank you for reminding me of them. Hell, I need to put more time into the NA version of the first (or second?) Ouendan game, Elite Beat Agents. I've had a copy of it forever but haven't put a ton of time into it yet. Soon!

thegaygamer.com said...

Ah, I see you've had a similar reaction to Sayonara Umihara Kawase as I had when I played it :)


Also, I'm glad to hear you're enjoying ALBW. I absolutely loved that game, and I'm no "Zelda fanboy."


As for 3DS recommendations: hmmm, let me think that over will you? I'd like to come up with a list for you, but I'd like it to be more than just a list of names, as that isn't going to be of much help to you.


I'll share my recommendations here ASAP and then let you know about them via Twitter, etc., OK?

Xinen said...

Haha I'd vouch for them. Unfortunately I never tried EBA, so if you give it a shot I'll definitely appreciate your impressions. So many good tunes in Ouendan! along with inspiring messages lol. From the mundane to the (melo)dramatic.