The Idolmaster: Stella Stage
Release Date: December 21, 2017
Simulation, rhythm, visual novel, adventure elements, PlayStation exclusive, singleplayer
Another installment in The Idolmaster series (popular especially in Japan). Similar to the previous installments, Stella Stage mingles together elements of manager titles, rhythm games, and visual novels. The player again takes on the role of a beginner music producer and their job is to manage the careers of thirteen teenage idols in a way that will allow them to perform at the legendary Stella Stage concert.
Stella Stage is the next installment in The Idolmaster series, which is a franchise especially popular in Japan. Bandai Namco Entertainment has watched over the franchise's development, and in similarity to the previous follow-up - The Idolmaster: Platinum Stars, Stella Stage was developed specifically for PlayStation 4. The game constitutes an original mixture of concepts borrowed from manager titles, visual novels, as well as rhythm games.
Plot
In The Idolmaster: Stella Stage for PS4, the player again assumes the role of a producer working for 765 Production - a company that for many years has fought its competitor - 961 Production, for the first place in the music industry. The protagonist's job is to manage the careers of thirteen teenage idols in a way that will allow them to perform at the legendary Stella Stage concert. The task is not as easy as it may seem though, as the opposition takes any measures to take victory for themselves - they intend to send their new performer - Shika, to a music battle; what is quite obvious, the protagonist has to do what they can to prevent 961 Production from executing their plan to end up victorious.
Mechanics
As it was before in the series, The Idolmaster: Stella Stage for PS4 presents subsequent threads in the plot during scenes depicted in the form of a visual novel. As the player goes through these scenes, they often have to answer questions from their performers - the answers from the protagonist usually affect the careers of the performers. Particular girls were described with statistics (voice, dancing, charisma, presentation). The player improves these statistics through ordering the performers to take special lessons.
Skills acquired by the performers can be put to a test by allowing them to take part in concerts and sending them to auditions. The game presents these activities in the form of rhythm challenges - the player's task here is to press specific buttons at the right time. The special, promotional events play a significant part in the game, so the player needs to remember about the girls' appearances. as well as about making a right selection of costumes for them. Interestingly, the creators decided to implement a new concept to the mechanics - as a result, one is capable of sending their idols for a rest in order to have them reinvigorated.
Technical aspects
The Idolmaster: Stella Stage for PS4 offers high-quality graphics bearing a style typical for manga. The soundtrack produced for the game includes both songs which have already appeared in the series, and completely new tracks, such as ToP!!!!!!!!!!!! by Takafumi Satou.
Last updated on January 3, 2018
The Idolmaster: Stella Stage Summary
Platforms:
PlayStation 4
Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Age restrictions: none
