I’ll just put my hands up right now and admit that I have never played a Hatsune Miku: Project Diva game before. As someone who thoroughly enjoyed games like Ouendan, Elite Beat Agents, and Patapon 1 through 3 it was strange that the series never jumped out to me as something I’d enjoy. I’m very happy to report however that I was wrong. So very wrong. I have not had so much fun with a rhythm game since tapping it out to ‘Okuru Kotoba’ on Osu! Tatake! Ouendan 2.
The game follows no particular story, but offers the player the chance to participate in music videos for several different popular Vocaloid songs, both originals and covers. You even get to customise the appearance of the Vocaloids for the performance too, selecting from various unlockable outfits and accessories.
Project Diva f shares a PS3 launch also, much like its console sibling the graphics are vibrant, colourful, and detailed. Hatsune Miku and the other Vocaloids are all true to their previous incarnations, each of them rendered in high-detail adorableness. The gameplay itself is accompanied by music videos in the background that play while you tap away at the buttons. The detail and design put into each of the videos is great, sometimes even stunning.
Graphics, while gorgeous, are not where Project Diva f really shines. The core gameplay revolves around hitting buttons on the PS Vita gamepad /DuelShock which match those displayed on screen. The notes float in from any given direction and will eventually make contact with a shadow of that same note. As each note reaches its shadow, that is the point within the song that the note corresponds with. The closer you tap the button to the centre of the shadow the more points scored for that note. Combined with a varied soundtrack that is no less than mind-blowing, this makes for some of the most immersive, and satisfying gameplay I have ever personally experienced.
The entire soundtrack is in Japanese, but even for English speaking only audiences the game can be gripping and fun. Each level you complete awards you with “DIVA Points” as well as unlocks based on how well you perform. You can use your Diva points to unlock costumes, accessories, and more, including furniture for virtual “Diva rooms” that each Vocaloid has for you to visit and interact with them to build up affection. Project Diva f also allows you to enter an edit mode where you can customise your experience by creating your own versions of each track. The game features 71 modules, designed by various artists from the Vocaloid community for you to customise the appearance of the performers to your liking, this in addition to the accessories lets you get creative with the characters.
Project Diva features 33 songs across 4 difficulty levels. Each level of difficulties adds a significant level of complexity to the required actions for the songs. For example, easy difficulty will only require the player to ever press one button throughout the song, at a vastly reduced rate to higher levels. Normal ups the ante by introducing two buttons and more complex ‘double notes‘ which require the directional pad too. The game scales like this, adding more notes at a faster pace to keep you on your toes. Due to this added challenge there is a significant level of replayability that can be enjoyed from going through the songs again at a harder difficulty. There are a sufficient amount of songs to proceed through that you can get a decent amount of time out of the game (currently over 24 hours and counting).
In summary, Project Diva f is a game well ahead in its class, even from my first song I found myself thoroughly enjoying myself. For anyone that enjoys Rhythm games this is a must play! The levels are challenging and diverse in their design which gives variety to prevent the game becoming boring. For those that have not previously been fans of rhythm games, unfortunately Project Diva may not bring enough to change opinion. However with brilliant visuals and addictive gameplay, you would be hard done to find a better game to sate your rhythm needs.
