Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival
Release Date: September 23, 2022
Party, 2D, rhythm, music, for 2 players, splitscreen, Nintendo exclusive, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet
OpenCritic
Steam
A rhythm game in which we play on virtual taiko drums by hitting the correct buttons at the right moments. Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival can be played solo or by up to four people.
Worth Playing: 8 / 10 by Cody Medellin
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a very good game with a solid PC port. The base mechanics are classic, and they still work well, just like they did before. The song list is meaty enough, but the presence of both DLC and a Song Pass gives everyone the chance to expand their song library. While the drums give you the more authentic experience, the PC's natural ability to use a wider variety of control methods allows for the game to be more entertaining, if only to see what other odd peripherals people will use to play the game. Provided you're not averse to the lack of Western songs, you'll have a fun time with this game.
EGM: 4 / 5 by Mollie L Patterson
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a solid new entry in Bandai Namco's rhythm game franchise, offering a roster of fresh music to enjoy, some creative new game modes, and more unlockables to have fun collecting. The game doesn't offer as many multiplayer options as its predecessor did, but does feature more to keep solo players occupied. Rhythm Festival also offers what is arguably the biggest addition the franchise has ever seen, the Taiko Music Pass-a new music subscription service that can greatly expand the life of the game while also bringing with it some additional concerns over our subscription-laiden future.
Gamers Heroes: 80 / 100 by Casey Scheld
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival features a killer setlist, a great difficulty curve, and a splash of flash. While the subscription-based Taiko Music Pass is a questionable addition, this title is well worth a drum solo (or quartet).
The main pros of the game
- Fun Gameplay: Players find the gameplay enjoyable and addictive, with a simple mechanic that is easy to understand but difficult to master.
- Graphics and Performance: The game runs smoothly with impressive graphics, especially on PC, providing a better experience than previous console versions.
- Large Song Library with Subscription: The subscription service offers access to a vast library of over 800 songs, which is seen as a good value for dedicated players.
- Various Game Modes: The game includes multiple modes (party mode, online mode, training mode) that enhance replayability and cater to different player preferences.
- Accessibility: The game is beginner-friendly, making it suitable for new players while still offering challenges for veterans.
The main cons of the game
- High Cost and Subscription Model: Many players criticize the high initial purchase price ($50) for a limited song selection, along with the additional costs associated with the subscription and DLCs, leading to a feeling of being nickel-and-dimed.
- Limited Base Song Setlist: The base game offers a relatively small number of songs (70-100), which is disappointing for long-time fans of the series.
- UI/UX Issues: Users report that the menu navigation is cluttered and confusing, making it difficult to access settings or find songs easily.
- Technical Issues: Some players have experienced bugs, input lag, frame drops, and screen tearing, which detracts from the overall experience.
The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users
- Original Tracks: A significant number of songs are covers rather than original tracks, which has disappointed fans expecting the original versions.
- More Free Content: Players expressed a desire for more free songs included in the base game without needing a subscription.
- Improved Controller Support: There are complaints about the lack of support for various controllers, requiring additional configuration for optimal play.
- Steam Remote Play: Some users wish for a feature that allows friends to join in seamlessly via Remote Play, enhancing the multiplayer experience.
- Better Song Sorting and Information: Players want more detailed information about songs (like BPM) in the song selection menu to improve their gameplay experience.
Summary
- Overall, while "Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival" is celebrated for its fun gameplay and vibrant presentation, it faces criticism for its pricing model, limited initial content, and technical shortcomings.
Summary generated on:
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Description
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a rhythm game from a series which started in 2001. It was developed by Bandai Namco.
Game mechanics
Like in other titles from this series, in Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival we play on virtual taiko drums, hitting the right buttons in the right moments. Our actions are constantly scored, and the higher our score is, the better we keep to the rhythm.
There are more than 70 songs to play, among which we can find classical music, pop songs, and also an orchestral arrangement of the theme from The Legend of Zelda.
Game modes
In Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival you can play solo or up to four people. Leading the list of available game modes are two new ones, namely DON-chan Band Mode, where four players must play a concert together, and Great Drum Toy War Mode, where players fight to see who can score more points.
Technical aspects
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival features colorful, clear graphics in a cartoon style.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows November 7, 2024
PlayStation 5 November 7, 2024
Xbox Series X/S November 7, 2024
Switch
Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Age restrictions: none
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival System Requirements
PC / Windows
Minimum: Intel Core i5-750 2.67 GHz / AMD A12-9800 3.8 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 750 Ti / Radeon HD 7770, 4 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit
Recommended: Intel Core i5-2300 2.8 GHz / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 3.1 GHz, 8 GB RAM, graphic card 2 GB GeForce GTX 760 / Radeon R9 270X, 4 GB HDD, Windows 10/11 64-bit