Drums have always been an instrument I’ve fancied myself playing. I mean, hitting things with sticks – how hard can it be? Well, if my performance in this virtual drumming game is any indication, it’s harder than it looks!
Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival, from Bandai Namco, follows up on 2022’s Taiko No Tatsujin: The Drum Master, promising a greater emphasis on multiplayer fun. So, are you ready to drum along to a collection of Japanese tunes? Grab your drumsticks (or an Xbox controller) and let’s see what’s in store.
While rhythm games don’t typically focus on narrative, Rhythm Festival includes a surprisingly engaging story. You play as Don-chan, a small drum with big dreams, who encounters a peculiar individual named Kumo-kyun while exploring Omiko City. They quickly team up to bring a rhythm festival to the city. As you earn experience in various game modes, you unlock story missions and progress through the narrative. The more you play, the more of the story unfolds, so get drumming!
The presentation is consistent with other Taiko No Tatsujin games. Notes scroll across the screen, and you must press the corresponding buttons with precise timing. Easy mode is manageable, but Extreme difficulty throws a dizzying array of notes your way, requiring octopus-like dexterity to succeed. The story cutscenes are presented as charming cartoon panels, and the art style is visually appealing.
The soundtrack, as expected, is primarily music-based, but the tunes are well-crafted and diverse. You can even play classic pieces like the William Tell Overture in unconventional ways, as a horse perhaps, which adds a layer of humour to the experience.
The game modes have been expanded with new multiplayer options, both for two and four players. In Taiko Mode, up to two players can drum along to songs competitively or cooperatively. While I enjoy friendly competition, being consistently defeated by my 13-year-old son can be a humbling experience, especially when he wins by a landslide! Online Taiko mode lets you challenge other players online, while the Great Drum Toy War is a unique mode where skilful drumming summons toys to your side of the screen, pushing against your opponent’s toys in a tug-of-war-like battle.
The four-player modes are equally entertaining. If you lack a full complement of players, the AI fills in admirably, often outperforming human players. Don-chan Band allows up to four players to collaborate on a single song, each playing a different rhythm track with unique instruments, including horses and elephants. This mode is hilarious and chaotic, especially when everyone is laughing and struggling to maintain their rhythm.
Run! Ninja Dojo is another four-player mode where you train to become a ninja. The core gameplay remains the same, but you can use ninja powers to disrupt your opponents, such as speeding up the note scroll or obscuring the screen with flames. This mode can get fiercely competitive, adding another layer of excitement to the multiplayer experience.
The base game of Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival includes a substantial selection of songs, but Bandai Namco also offers the Taiko Music Pass, a subscription service that grants access to a wider library of tracks with monthly updates. While dedicated fans might find this appealing, the subscription’s value is questionable for casual players. Music licensing costs likely necessitate this approach, but whether it’s worthwhile depends on your commitment to the game.
However, even without the Music Pass, Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is an excellent rhythm game for solo or multiplayer enjoyment. With a wide variety of songs, four difficulty levels, a training mode, and engaging multiplayer options, there’s something for everyone.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Brings the Beat to Xbox, PlayStation, and PC – https://www.thexboxhub.com/taiko-no-tatsujin-rhythm-festival-brings-the-beat-to-xbox-playstation-and-pc/
Evolved Rhythm! TAIKO NO TATSUJIN: Rhythm Festival Surpasses The Drum Master – https://www.thexboxhub.com/evolved-rhythm-taiko-no-tatsujin-rhythm-festival-surpasses-the-drum-master/
Buy Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/taiko-no-tatsujin-rhythm-festival/9pp1kpm20gqp
Buy the HORI Taiko No Tatsujin Drum Controller Designed for Xbox – https://amzn.to/3OkTJxk
