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.
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.
Videos and Screens
[0:52] Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival PS5, XSX/S and Steam Launch Trailer
[2:44] Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythm Festival - PC, PS5, XSX Trailer
Reno Gazette-Journal: 8.5 / 10 by Jason Hidalgo
Don-chan and the gang are back with another thumping exercise in musicology with Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival. The versus toy mode and the co-op DON-Chan band mode are nice additions to the standard arcade experience that taiko fans know and love. Admittedly, the subscription model that provides access to 583 songs at launch can be polarizing for fans. A diverse set of 76 base songs combined with fun modes, unlockables and tight taiko drumming mechanics, however, make Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival one of the best rhythm games out there right now.
Digitally Downloaded: 4 / 5
I would say Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a release for the more hardcore side of the Taiko fanbase, but that would be overlooking the sheer joy and accessibility of the main game. Perhaps I’m merely bitter at the lack of supplementary features, shallow party modes, and a somewhat cynical subscription service that makes Rhythm Festival lag behind Drum ‘n’ Fun. But ultimately, this is more Taiko, and more Taiko is good. It’s not my favourite of Bandai Namco’s outings on the Nintendo console, but it’s not without its charm either.
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.
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 Summary
Platforms:
PC / Windows November 7, 2024
PlayStation 5 November 7, 2024
Xbox Series X/S November 7, 2024
Switch September 23, 2022
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