Editor's note: I grew weary of Western rhythm games nearly a year ago. It's been months since I've laid my hands on a plastic instrument, and I'm not sure I'm ever going back. Daryl's article argues that Eastern music titles are far more innovative. -James
During a recent EVO-training trip to Sunnyvale Golfland arcade -- one of the most aggressive fighting-game battlefields in the Bay Area -- I couldn't help but notice the establishment's rows of music games while I was waiting to play Street Fighter 4. With all the hype surrounding Pro Mode in Rock Band 3 and rapping in DJ Hero 2, it's easy to forget that arcade goers enjoyed an entire era of music games before the advent of Guitar Hero.
For nearly half a decade, overseas music titles have taken a backseat to the mainstream American behemoths. How can a release of Dance Dance Revolution -- whose localization budget can only pay for licenses from OK Go and MC Hammer -- compete with the overload of top-100 hits that MTV Games has access to? I know music is the key to the genre, and that people enjoy hearing their favorite classics, but I'm sick to death of the same tired gameplay.
It's been years since I last visited BemaniStyle.com. Fans originally knew the site as host to the largest collection of user-generated tracks for StepMania, a DDR-like freeware platform. Nowadays, it deals more with current happenings in the rhythm genre. And lately their coverage of the various, exotic music games coming out in Japan has me a bit envious.
Here are a few examples that are unlikely to get U.S. localizations:
DJ Max Technika machine in Thailand
Of all the games on this list, I was very happy to see an actual DJ Max Technika machine at Sunnyvalle Golfland. This is a beautiful game that originates in Korea and has two HD screens built into the cabinet. The bottom screen features a touch panel where players tap notes in sync with the music. High above is a second screen that shows everyone in the arcade your progress. The cabinet itself is a work of art that has its own one-eighth inch audio output for headphones and a platform that gives the player a sort of force feedback through the music's bass. While DJ Max Portable is already available for the PSP in Korea, the touch screen is where it's at. I'd even shell out the 500 dollars if this game ever came to the iPad.
Hatsune Miku: Project Diva 2nd for the PSP
While this entry isn't as mind-blowingly impressive as DJ Max, those who have an account on Japanese video sharing site Nico Nico Douga know about the overwhelming popularity of virtual idol Hatsune Miku. She is one of the many mascot characters for the voice-synth program Vocaloid. Nico members pump out musical tracks featuring Miku on a weekly basis, and Vocaloid characters have their own ranking chart on the website. Sega was smart enough to pick up on this trend and published many of her most famous songs in a collection for the PSP. It even allow the fans to remix their own song charts, create their own choreography, and dress up Miku in multiple costumes.
Reflec Beat is a competitive music game currently undergoing location tests
The newest music game on my radar comes from Bemani, a company that specializes in rhythm titles. In Reflec Beat, players at opposite sides of the machine take turns touching notes as they approach. A successful defense sends notes flying back at the opponent while more notes rain down onto your side of the field. It all plays out a bit like a musical version of air hockey. I haven't seen a music game that pits players head-to-head in such a direct fashion since Amplitude. I'm all for competition, and with the backing of Bemani, I'm sure we'll be hearing the return of thier classics like Rin Toshite Saku Hana no Gotoku, the song featured in the video.
Idolm@ster 2, the last hope for Japanese Xbox 360 sales
The recent announcement of Idolm@ster 2 is probably the single biggest reason why I'm blogging about foreign music games. It's been over three years since Wired.com ran a feature revealing the appeal of Idolm@ster to Americans. Much in the same way that men obsess over their franchise's salary caps at then end of football season, the men who play Idolm@ster are constantly looking over one of nine would be pop stars progress toward the top of music charts. Okay, so that doesn't sound as manly. Regardless, Idolm@ster features a lot of recognizable Japanese voice talents singing original J-pop songs. In between concerts, musical minigames and branching storylines help keep things fresh. Sure, it's one of those games you'd feel uncomfortable explaining to your girlfriend or wife, but who cares?
Reflec Beat looks pretty neat - and perfect for the iPad.
I miss the old Para Para Paradise machines. I feel like they could have given DDR a run for its money, given better music and marketing. Almost none of them made it across the Pacific. It looks like Microsoft is picking up the concept with one of its Kinect games, though.
They have a DJ Max Technika machine at the Boardwalk in Santa Cruz, CA! The first time I saw it, it blew my mind!
I have no idea what the game mechanic in that last one is.
@Jazz Idolm@ster is part Music game, part visual novel (think Phoenix Wright/Hotel Dusk). The story is that you're a music producer helping your group of clients in making it big. For the most part, you're going through the character's individual storylines and keeping conversations on a friendly level. Along the way, you do musical mini-games to improve your client's stats. The better she is at dancing/singing/charm, the more successful she'll be by the endgame.
@Daryl: While I think the other games look quite fun, that one sounds just awful.