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Superbeat: Xonic Ex | Nintendo Switch Review


Posted on December 15, 2017 by Meghan Kass

Superbeat: Xonic Ex is a rhythm game, developed by Nurijoy and PM Studios and published by Sony Music (Available on the PS4, Xbox One  and the Nintendo Switch. With all the numerous rhythm game options to choose from on these various platforms, is there a place for this game?  is it worth the $40.00 USD price tag? and most importantly (for this review) is it a good fit for the Switch console? After spending some time with this game on the Switch console, I believe I have the answers to these questions.

The problem with Superbeat: Xonic EX is that it really doesn’t much more than the average for a rhythm game in any category. It is fine – It has decent music, average gameplay and an average anime aethestic to it. It does not have the uniqueness or cult classic appeal that the Hatsune Miku games have had. For anyone who plays rhythm games regularly, you probably already have similar games on other platforms that were cheaper. There are games, for instance, on the IOS such as Cytus, Voez and Deemo that are $1.99 or lower that can satisfy a rhythm game craving as opposed to the $40.00 that Superbeat asks for. (Editor’s Note: Voez and its DLC are also available on Nintendo Switch)

As a matter of fact, Superbeat: Xonic EX can play very much like a mobile tapping rhythm game. You have the choice to either follow the songs using the Switch JoyCon buttons or just using the touch screen to tap the correct area with your finger, if you are playing with the portable mode of the Switch. I recommended playing with the touch screen option for the best accuracy. The buttons on the Switch are a little awkward for a fast paced rhythm game, especially when you need to use the joysticks as well. Once you get used to it, the JoyCons are tolerable, but not optimal.

There are other modes you can play with depending on how difficult you want to make the game. The “4 trak” focuses on only 4 areas of the screen that notes will flock to and the 6 trak has 6 areas. You can also choose more difficult songs that will send you more cues and beats to follow and you can tweak the speed of the songs and even change the sound you make when you hit a beat. The harder the song, the faster the notes fly out at you. There are also unlockable DJs and icons you can collect to extend your game experience with giving you some bonuses as you play.

Really what this game offers is a slightly different genre of songs than other popular rhythm games. The soundtrack is heavy in the EDM (electronic dance music) genre, which is not the norm for most rhythm games. There is also some pop and even a few classical songs  mixed in.  My favorite song in the collection was Miami Style, which reminded me of some old Katy Perry songs. It is definitely a little different and if you are tired of the normal J-Pop filled rhythm games or want some options that aren’t from a mainstream selection of songs like Guitar Hero or Rock Band, this may be worth your time.

Overall, this is there is just not enough substance here, especially for the asking price. The controls are fairly basic and at times awkward, especially when using the JoyCons. The theme and aesthetic are not the most inspired, but still colorful, beautiful and everything about the game is just feels average. If you want a soundtrack that is a bit unusual for a rhythm game or you just need a new rhythm game in your life, maybe wait until this game goes on sale. It is not a waste of time or a bad game, just not worth the asking price. I wanted to enjoy this game a lot more, but maybe this game will tickle another player’s fancy.


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Project DIVA Future Tone: Hatsune Miku | Review


Posted on February 23, 2017 by Meghan Kass

Hatsune Miku: Project DIVA Future Tone is an arcade style rhythm game published by Sega. Future tone may be the most comprehensive Hatsune Miku game ever published as it boasts 220 songs if you purchase the bundle that includes Future Sound and Colorful Tone, After the disappointing lack of songs in Project Diva X and overuse of exposition, will Future Tone’s sheer volume of music be enough to satisfy Hatsune Miku and rhythm game fans? Is imitating and porting the arcade version of Hatsune Miku games the right direction?

If compared to the disappointing Project Diva X, Future Tone makes a massive increase in number of songs from 35 to 220. Not only does it provide more choices in music, but puts on fan favorites and new music that has not been seen in any games prior. Even the tutorial song “Levan Polka” gets a the full version touch as it becomes part of the roster, which personally made me tickled inside. From previous games, you get ”Pinky Swear”, “Clover Club”, “Canterella” and of course “Wintry Winds” and there is even more new material than ever before including the “NyanNyan” song and “Beware of the Miku Miku Germs”. You will not get bored with the selection you get in this game.

Modules also get a slight upgrade from Project Diva X, increasing from around 300-394 modules. What is also a positive change is the fact you can buy these modules with points you earn instead of having to unlock them slowly. You get a fair amount of VP points to spend after each song so collecting the various customizable looks is an easier task than previous ways of unlocking modules. In addition, you can also customize the hairstyle you want for the characters and can save an outfit for particular songs.

The gameplay has changed slightly from previous versions of Hatsune Miku games. Future Tone adds the use of all buttons on Easy mode instead of just the circle button and also makes use of the shoulder buttons on certain songs and slides instead of star notes. Modules also do not add any bonuses to your score like Project Diva X does and there is no gift giving in Future Tone. There is also no story as there was in Project Diva X and instead focuses on its Rhythm game. If you are looking to bond with the vocaloids or interact with them, this may be something to consider. For those looking for a strict, arcade style rhythm game, it definitely offers more than previous games. One flaw that still exists with these series of games is the distracting videos that play in the background. Many times its flashing images, bright colors and colors that frequently match the buttons can hinder gameplay even if the videos themselves are enjoyable and may hurt your score if you can’t block the distractions out or see the buttons properly.


Overall, the song choices are impressive and enjoyable and the customization has shown improvement. If you are craving Miku, her music and a solid rhythm game, this is worth the price of admission. If you are a player that is looking for more interaction with the vocaloids or story, then if may be worth it to look to past Hatsune Miku games that offer story, mini games and gift giving. Hopefully, DLC will be added to Future Tone down the line, adding to the longevity of this game and keep the game enjoyable for a while. This game offers a rich arcade experience and will hopefully only expand. If you like J-Pop, Vocaloids or Rhythm games, definitely give the demo a try as it is available for free in the Playstation Store along with the full version, if it doesn’t entice you immediately, wait for a possible sale in the future to try out these tones.


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