Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Review Summary

Extensive song library: The game offers a massive library of songs, especially through its subscription service. Players appreciate the wide variety and large number of songs available, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

Highly praised rhythm gameplay: The game is widely regarded as a top-tier rhythm game, offering enjoyable and addictive gameplay that caters to both casual and hardcore players. It is often compared favorably to other rhythm games and is considered one of the best in its genre.

Positive gameplay feedback: Players generally enjoy the gameplay, finding it fun, addictive, and smooth. The game is described as cute, enjoyable, and well-made, with solid performance and no delays.

Value of music pass: The monthly music pass is seen as offering good value, providing access to a large number of songs at a reasonable price. Many players find the subscription model cost-effective and beneficial.

Authentic Taiko experience: The game is praised for providing an authentic Taiko no Tatsujin experience on PC. It is considered the best way to play Taiko on PC, offering a close-to-arcade experience.

Subscription model issues: The game employs a subscription model for accessing most songs, which may not appeal to everyone. This model requires a monthly subscription for the Music Pass, making it necessary for a full experience but potentially burdensome for some players.

Limited song selection: The game offers a limited number of songs initially, with many popular songs missing. A significant portion of the songs are behind paywalls or require additional purchases, such as the MUSIC PASS or monthly subscriptions.

Matchmaking and multiplayer problems: Players report poor matchmaking and difficulties finding online matches due to a low player population. The online multiplayer experience is often described as dead or empty, with few online opponents available.

Cover songs instead of originals: Many songs in the game are covers rather than original versions, which some players find disappointing. This includes a majority of J-POP songs and other tracks that are not as well-received as their original counterparts.

Menu navigation and UI issues: The game's menu navigation is described as slow, tedious, and annoying. The UI is considered bad and outdated, with cluttered menus and a lack of mouse navigation, making it difficult to navigate.

Rhythm game with drum mechanics: The game is primarily a rhythm-based game with a strong focus on drum mechanics. It supports drum controllers and offers various modes, including training and party modes, with multiple difficulty levels.

Subscription model for songs: The game uses a subscription model for accessing a large number of songs. This includes a Music Pass system for temporary access to a vast library of songs.

Online and local multiplayer: The game features both online and local multiplayer modes, including ranked matches and casual lobbies. It supports online matchmaking and has an active player base.

Customization options: Players can customize their gameplay experience with various options, including button mapping, keyboard controls, and costume customization.

Multiple difficulty settings: The game offers various difficulty settings, allowing players to sort and choose based on their skill level. This includes high difficulty options and achievements tied to difficulty.

Performance issues and instability: Players report various performance issues including frame rate drops, stuttering, and freezing during gameplay. These issues affect the overall stability and smoothness of the game.

Graphical and visual issues: Players report various graphical issues, including screen tearing, visual artifacts at high refresh rates, and general UI issues. Some of these issues can be mitigated with settings like vertical sync.

Input lag and responsiveness: There are mixed reports about input timing. Some players experience input lag and missed inputs, while others find the controls responsive and recommend calibrating them for better performance.

Optimization issues: Players mention sloppy optimization and various optimization issues, which can lead to performance problems and graphical glitches.

Loading times and repeated loading: Long loading times and repeated loading issues are frequently mentioned by players, affecting the overall gaming experience.

Try alternatives or wait for sale: Some players suggest trying other games like osu!taiko or waiting for a discount before purchasing this game.

Ideal for rhythm game fans: The game is highly recommended for those who enjoy rhythm and music games, provided they are okay with the subscription model.

Beginner-friendly rhythm game: The game is noted for being easier for beginners compared to other rhythm games, making it accessible for new players.

Request for more songs: There are requests for more songs, including specific artists and additional songs in the battle pass.

Best Taiko experience on PC: Many players consider this the best Taiko experience available on PC, offering smooth gameplay and nostalgic songs.

Community fair range: $25.00 - $35.00.

Game completion: 350.0h.

Story completion: 10.0h.

Session length: 3.0h.

Endgame: 200.0h.

The game is fun and addictive immediately due to its simple and engaging gameplay, but progression systems and repetitive tasks can be tedious.

Friction: Tedious progression systems; Repetitive tasks for unlocking rewards.

Value-Conscious Rhythm Enthusiast: Critical and selective, focusing on getting the best value for their investment. Motivation: Seeking high-quality rhythm gameplay at a reasonable price. Stance: sale.

Casual Taiko Enjoyer: Relaxed and non-competitive, focusing on enjoyment rather than mastery. Motivation: Enjoying the game at a leisurely pace without heavy investment. Stance: sale.

Competitive Ranked Player: Highly competitive, focusing on ranked matches and skill improvement. Motivation: Mastering the game and competing against other skilled players. Stance: buy.

Steam Deck: The analysis of user feedback for the Steam Deck experience of the game reveals several key issues. The most significant problems include limitations with controller and keyboard functionality, technical issues such as screen tearing and input lag, and mixed performance reviews. These issues collectively impact the user experience and suggest that while the game has its strengths, there are notable areas for improvement.

Monetization: The game faces significant criticism for its monetization strategies, particularly the subscription model and DLC pricing. Users feel that the base game lacks sufficient content, pushing them towards additional purchases. The integration of monetization into the game design is also seen as predatory, leading to a negative user experience.

Request for custom songs: Players are suggesting the addition of a workshop or the ability to load custom songs.

Won game from giveaway: Some players received the game as a prize from a Taiko streamer's giveaway.