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[Ludger Kresnik]

Genre: Rhythm Action
Platform: PlayStation Vita, PlayStation 4
Rating: CERO B (12+)
Official Website: http://miku.sega.jp/x/
Price: ¥6990 (Vita)

Japanese Release Date:
March 24, 2016 (Vita)
Q3 2016 (PS4)

Western Release Date:
Fall 2016 (Vita/PS4)

Live Quest Mode

The new main gameplay mode, Live Quest follows something resembling a visual novel-style story as Miku and pals travel between five themed areas to restore and awaken their respective power crystals. It's Bravely Miku. It's Final Fantasy XXXIX. It's really silly but just go with it. There's different missions with different clear conditions to play, but just clearing the songs with more than a certain amount of "voltage" (the energy required to awaken the power crystals, it's just your score meter tho) is all you need to worry about the first time round.

Songs, as well as modules (costumes) and accessories, are now all themed after the five crystals' elements: Neutral, Cute, Cool, Beauty, and Chaos. Match your chosen module to the current song for an increase to your gained voltage. Modules also each have a certain skill tied to them that might make your life in Live Quest a little bit easier.

This mode is where all unlocks are now... unlocked. Modules, traditionally bought using earned currency, are now dropped randomly in each song after Chance Time is cleared. Accessories and Diva Room items are also unlocked randomly.

Occasionally, you may host a special live concert, where you put together your own setlist of any three songs from the game. Staging and wardrobe is entirely up to you here.

Free Play Mode

The main (only) gameplay mode from previous titles returns in all its glory. Play those songs. Change those modules. Don't give a diddly darn what anyone thinks. Go for those Perfects! For the first time, you can also freely change the staging. You can play a heartfelt ballad on the heavy metal-themed stage if you want to. The power is yours.

Live Edit Mode

Edit Mode is back and... weaker than ever. You can no longer import custom MP3s or create your own note charts, so this is entirely a music video editor featuring in-game songs exclusively.

You can change the stage and lighting effects now, though. And the module change mechanic from Live Quest is there if you want it. This is still DLC for the Vita version, by the way, so have your Japanese PSN account on the ready.

Diva Room

Similar to Project Mirai DX, the Diva Room is now your main base of operations - it replaces the traditional main menu. Face rubbing seems to be absent.

AR

As always, you can take grainy-ass pictures with Miku and pals using the Vita's god-awful camera. No more AR live performances, though!

OSTER Project - 始まりのメドレー 〜プライマリーカラーズ〜 / The First Medley: Primary Colours (Original: OSTER Project)

• 恋スルVOC@LOID / Koisuru VOC@LOID / VOC@LOID in Love (Miku)
• Dreaming Leaf -ユメミルコトノハ- / Dreaming Leaf -Yumemiru Kotonoha- (Miku/Rin)
• フキゲンワルツ / Fukigen Waltz / Sullen Waltz (Miku/Rin/Len/Luka)
• ミラクルペイント / Miracle Paint (Miku/Rin/Len/Luka/Kaito/Meiko)

cosMo@Bousou-P - 終極のメドレー ～超絶技巧暴走組曲～ / The Ultimate Medley: Super Technical Rampage Suite (Miku)

• 初音ミクの消失 / Hatsune Miku no Shoushitsu / The Disappearance of Hatsune Miku (Original: cosMo)
• 裏表ラバーズ / Uraomote Lovers / Two-Sided Lovers (Original: wowaka)
• Sadistic.Music∞Factory (Original: cosMo)
• 二次元ドリームフィーバー / Nijigen Dream Fever / 2D Dream Fever (Original: PolyphonicBranch)
• 初音ミクの激唱 / Hatsune Miku no Gekishou / The Intense Voice of Hatsune Miku (Original: cosMo)

• Lamaze-P - 愛の詩 / Ai no Uta / Love Song (Miku)
• ryo (Supercell) - 罪の名前 / Tsumi no Namae / The Name of the Crime (Miku)
• kz (Livetune) - Satisfaction (Miku)
• malo - ハジメテノオト / Hajimete no Oto / The First Sound (Miku)

Mitchie M - キュート・メドレー ～アイドル サウンズ～ / Cute Medley: Idol Sounds (Miku) (Original: Mitchie M)

• EAZY DANCE
• FREELY TOMORROW
• ビバハピ / Viva Happy
• アゲアゲアゲイン / Ageage Again / Up and Up Again
• アイドルを咲かせ / Idol wo Sakase / Blooming the Idol

• 40mP - 恋愛裁判 / Renai Saiban / Love Trial (Miku)
• Toa - ツギハギスタッカート / Tsugihagi Staccato / Patchwork Staccato (Miku)
• n-buna - ウミユリ海底譚 / Umiyuri Kaiteitan / Tale of the Deep Sea Lily (Miku)
• Mikito - クノイチでも恋がしたい / Kunoichi Demo Koi ga Shitai / I'm a Kunoichi But I Want Love (Miku/Rin)
• mikumix - LOL -lots of laugh- (Miku)

DIVELA x Osamu - クール・メドレー 〜サイバーロックジャム〜 / Cool Medley: Cyber Rock Jam

• アンハッピーリフレイン / Unhappy Refrain (Miku) (Original: wowaka)
• マイリスダメー！ / Mylist dame! / Don't Mylist Me! (Rin) (Original: Live-P)
• 天樂 / Tengaku (Rin) (Original: Yuuyu)
• Palette (Luka) (Original: Yuyoyuppe)
• このふざけた素晴らしき世界は、僕の為にある / Kono Fuzaketa Subarashiki Sekai wa, Boku no Tame ni Aru / This Wonderfully Messed Up World Exists For Me (Miku) (Original: n.k.)

• Heavenz - Strangers (Miku)
• HoneyWorks - ラズベリー＊モンスター / Raspberry * Monster (Miku)
• Neru - ロストワンの号哭 / Lost One no Goukoku / Lost One's Lamentation (Rin)
• koyori - 独りんぼエンヴィー / Hitorinbo Envy / Solitary Hide and Seek Envy (Miku)
• JimmySamP - Calc. (Miku)

treow - ビューティ・メドレー 〜Glossy Mixture〜 / Beauty Medley: Glossy Mixture (Miku/Luka/Meiko)

• Dependence Intention (Original: treow)
• Sweet Devil (Original: Hachioji-P)
• Nebula (Original: Tripshots)
• Chaining Intention (Original: treow)

• Mitchie M - 愛Dee / Ai Dee (Miku/Luka)
• Kurousa-P (WhiteFlame) - 紅一葉 / Akahitoha / Crimson Leaf (Luka)
• Hitoshizuku x Yama - Amazing Dolce (Meiko/Rin/Len)
• rerulili x Moja - 聖槍爆裂ボーイ / Seisou Bakuretsu Boy / Holy Lance Explosion Boy (Len)
• Maretu - 脳内革命ガール / Nounai Kakumei Girl / Mental Revolution Girl (Miku)

Giga-P - カオスメドレー 〜ギガリミックス〜 / Chaos Medley: Giga Remix (Miku/Rin/Len)

• ぴんこすてぃっくLuv / Pinko Stick Luv (Rin) (Original: Giga-P)
• ギガンティックO.T.N / Gigantic OTN (Len) (Original: Giga-P)
• おこちゃま戦争 / Okochama Sensou / Childish War (Rin/Len) (Original: Giga-P)
• いーあるふぁんくらぶ / Yī èr Fanclub / 1, 2 Fanclub (Miku/Rin/Len) (Original: Mikito)

• Hachi - Mrs.Pumpkinの滑稽な夢 / Mrs.Pumpkin no Kokkei na Yume / Mrs. Pumpkin's Comical Dream (Miku)
• Pinnochio-P - すろぉもぉしょん / SLoWMoTIoN (Miku)
• DECO*27 - ストリーミングハート / Streaming Heart (Miku)
• Tohma - バビロン / Babylon (Miku)
• Shin-P - 卑怯戦隊うろたんだー / Hikyou Sentai Urotander / Coward Squad Urotander (Kaito/Meiko/Miku)

Actual DLC

• 12 modules based on fanmade characters Akita Neru, Yowane Haku, Kasane Teto, and Sakine Meiko: ¥600
• Mikudayo module: ¥500
• Snow Miku 2016 module: ¥300

Microtransactions!

• Unlock modules by element: ¥500 per element (5)
• Unlock all modules: ¥1500
• Unlock accessories by element: ¥250 per element (5)
• Unlock all accessories: ¥1000

Reveal trailer
TV spot
The First Medley
Cute Medley
Song Trailer 1
Song Trailer 2
Song Trailer 3
Song Trailer 4
Song Trailer 5
Song Trailer 6
Song Trailer 7
Promotion Trailer

DLC details
Project Diva F OT
Project Diva F 2nd OT
Project Diva discussion thread
Project Diva Wiki

 

[Jucksalbe]

• Snow Miku 2016 module: ¥3000

Huh, is that right?

Also, the changes sound interesting at least. I'm gonna wait if they announce an English version, though.

 

[Ludger Kresnik]

Huh, is that right?

Yikes. Um, no, it's slightly cheaper. Forgot to fix that. >_>

 

[Tenshi]

Nice OT, looks great.

 

[Zhao_Yun]

Great OT!
So tempted to import it. Will at least wait a bit for a possible localization though.

 

[R_thanatos]

Going to wait for PS4 version but i'm intrested to hear everyone's impressions.

 

[Tenshi]

I find it hilarious that you can't fail to hit a rush note. You can mash it out even after the note disappears and it still doesn't break your combo. Project Diva has been beating us over the head with hit accuracy for years and now the game has this type of note added. Quite jarring , but funny at the same time.

 

[ZeroX03]

Man, I would be excited for this if it wasn't for PS4 version coming much later (never doing Vita again) and Future Tone.

 

[11037]

Cool OT.

My copy got shipped out, hope it gets here soon.

 

[mrmickfran]

Man, I would be excited for this if it wasn't for PS4 version coming much later (never doing Vita again) and Future Tone.

I always felt like I was going to break my Vita whenever I played the extreme stages.

 

[Verus]

I find it hilarious that you can't fail to hit a rush note. You can mash it out even after the note disappears and it still doesn't break your combo. Project Diva has been beating us over the head with hit accuracy for years and now the game has this type of note added. Quite jarring , but funny at the same time.

This won't make things easier now, will they? Because they pretty much killed other rhythm games when a system similar to that was implemented for me.

 

[TheSlySoul]

Hopefully Amazon Japan is quick with shipment, I want to play it this weekend.
Edit: Kaito's Phantom of the Opera costume is amazing. First one I am going to buy.

 

[Tenshi]

This won't make things easier now, will they? Because they pretty much killed other rhythm games when a system similar to that was implemented for me.

No, this new note mechanic does not make the game easier. If you wish to, you can mash the note till it pops to get the maximum amount of points for that note, or, if you don't care about getting a high score, you just press it one time to get credit for pressing it and continue your combo.

 

[hosannainexcelsis]

Man, I would be excited for this if it wasn't for PS4 version coming much later (never doing Vita again) and Future Tone.

Yeah, I'm just going to wait for Future Tone. I just care about the rhythm game, not about all the other fluff.

 

[StarCreator]

Thread looks great! Definitely more effort put into this OT than I ever put into one w

My copy has shipped but won't arrive until after I get back from Boston this weekend. I grabbed the demo overnight, so that'll have to do for now.

 

[KharmaPolice]

So I played around a bit. Some quick impressions:

- Live quest mode is some hot garbage. During the first hour I got to play maybe three songs, the rest of the time I was clicking my way through some VN style silly dialogue. And before you ask, Live quest mode is mandatory for unlocking songs and modules.
- Rush notes are okay.
- Artwork during loading screens is gone
- Chance time seems to have no effect on the PV. However you can choose to change into a different module after chance time.
- Song selection is pretty good, but a serious lack of non Miku songs.

Edit: Kaito's Phantom of the Opera costume is amazing. First one I am going to buy.

Sorry to disappoint you, but module drops seem to be completely random.

 

[Jhn]

- Live quest mode is some hot garbage. During the first hour I got to play maybe three songs, the rest of the time I was clicking my way through some VN style silly dialogue. And before you ask, Live quest mode is mandatory for unlocking songs and modules.

Fuuuuuuck...

 

[KharmaPolice]

I might have exaggerated a bit with the amount of dialogue. And it gets more bearable later on. Still much more tedious than in previous games.

 

[Jhn]

Is it full-on branching-path VN, which might require you to use guides to get all the songs, or is it just a linear story you have to get through to progress?

Damnit SEGA, I just wanted to press buttons in rythm with music.

 

[11037]

Does Live Quest Mode at least have a skip button? Or are we just going to have to mash the O button to skip the text?

 

[Tenshi]

True, the VN 3 song introduction thing is a bit out of place for the series, but after that, it was pretty much smooth sailing getting through the quest mode to unlock all the songs. I didn't mind the experience that much.

Does Live Quest Mode at least have a skip button? Or are we just going to have to mash the O button to skip the text?

Yes, O allows you to skip through text.

Is it full-on branching-path VN, which might require you to use guides to get all the songs, or is it just a linear story you have to get through to progress?

Damnit SEGA, I just wanted to press buttons in rythm with music.

It's the most linear thing ever. You have nothing to worry about there.

 

[Ludger Kresnik]

Is it full-on branching-path VN, which might require you to use guides to get all the songs, or is it just a linear story you have to get through to progress?

Damnit SEGA, I just wanted to press buttons in rythm with music.

It's a linear story. There's some dialogue options, but they don't really matter.

 

[Koppai]

What's the differences between the 2 versions on Amazon Japan for Vita?

 

[KharmaPolice]

Does Live Quest Mode at least have a skip button? Or are we just going to have to mash the O button to skip the text?

If there is one I haven't found it yet. I was mashing O.

 

[Jhn]

It's a linear story. There's some dialogue options, but they don't really matter.

It's the most linear thing ever. You have nothing to worry about there.

Thanks, crisis averted. Now I just need playasia to get off their butts and ship already.

 

[jtm33]

First time using Amazon, let's see if they have good shipping times. It looks promising but it's surely going to hit the weekend and I'll have to wait until Monday at least. Look at the fancy shipping tracking, this is all pretty novel to me!

The estimate says Wednesday which seems a little bit safe considering it's already on the move.

 

[Refna]

Great OT!

Unlock condition for Ultimate medley if interested

Spoiler

After the game guide you to get a orb for each theme, finish the special live stage. Then get 1 more orb for each theme and finish the special live stage unlocked and it unlocks first as a live stage as easy and normal, clear one of them and ending credit comes, then it is unlocked

 

[LowParry]

According to DHL, I should have this by Friday. But Amazon JP says Monday. Who to trust!

 

[kagamin]

Amazon JP says Saturday, DHL says Friday, so they're estimating the same day I think?

 

[Luigi87]

I paid cheapest shipping from AmiAmi and will be waiting a few weeks before I get my copy, lol. Last time I order a game from AmiAmi now that Amazon is an option.

 

[KharmaPolice]

Seems you can skip the dialogue with the start button.

 

[Toadthemushroom]

So I played around a bit. Some quick impressions:

- Live quest mode is some hot garbage. During the first hour I got to play maybe three songs, the rest of the time I was clicking my way through some VN style silly dialogue. And before you ask, Live quest mode is mandatory for unlocking songs and modules.
- Rush notes are okay.
- Artwork during loading screens is gone
- Chance time seems to have no effect on the PV. However you can choose to change into a different module after chance time.
- Song selection is pretty good, but a serious lack of non Miku songs.



Sorry to disappoint you, but module drops seem to be completely random.

Bah, that's a shame. I cancelled my order for this at the last minute because I had second doubts about Quest Mode (and the song/module unlock DLC only heightened those doubts).

Just a question: What are the quality of the stages in live quest mode like? Is it really boring, arbitrary goals? Because this sort of thing really irritates me in rhythm games, which are naturally compelling that you don't need to be incentivised to play them because of some goal or task to complete.

 

[Tayaya]

I cancelled my pre order with the hopes of holding out for the PS4 version - I have more than enough handheld Miku for the time being!

Honestly, though, nothing that I am reading so far has made me regret my decision - this really does seem like it was a rush job in so many ways, which is odd given how long ago it was announced.

Let's hope Future Tone delivers!

 

[Wowfunhappy]

For the first time, you can also freely change the staging. You can play a heartfelt ballad on the heavy metal-themed stage if you want to. The power is yours.

Does this mean that the music videos no longer interact with the environment? Because that would be REALLY disappointing IMO.

 

[Ludger Kresnik]

Does this mean that the music videos no longer interact with the environment? Because that would be REALLY disappointing IMO.

Basically, yeah.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

Basically, yeah.

That's... wow.

I was planning to get this game once it's localized—I essentially bought a Vita TV for it—but I'm not sure now. I onlky really care about free play mode, and a lot of the fun in that comes from the flashy, moving background videos. Just watching Miku dance around on the stage isn't nearly as fun.

 

[Ludger Kresnik]

That said, some of the PVs are still pretty jaunty.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxGSZiEIwWo (Satisfaction)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2-p6OO6DPA (Urotander)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kh_VgES-Ao (Amazing Dolce)

 

[Nyoro SF]

The stripped down Edit Mode and the lack of cool stage interactions is a big bummer... guess it's the price we pay to get quick stage swap and mid-song module swap.

 

[LordGorchnik]

Somewhat unrelated to Project X but I am confused with the 2 announced versions of future tone. Can I purchase both of them and all 220 songs will be available in one application or will they always be 2 separate games you will have to quit one if you want to play the other? If the latter that really grinds the gears.

 

[Ludger Kresnik]

Somewhat unrelated to Project X but I am confused with the 2 announced versions of future tone. Can I purchase both of them and all 220 songs will be available in one application or will they always be 2 separate games you will have to quit one if you want to play the other? If the latter that really grinds the gears.

You can combine them. It's confirmed at the bottom of the Japanese site.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxGSZiEIwWo (Satisfaction)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2-p6OO6DPA (Urotander)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kh_VgES-Ao (Amazing Dolce)

...I don't know, this is more or less what I feared when I read the OT just now.

I mean, compare these to, say, Black Rock Shooter or Rolling Girl in F and F 2nd. These look like full videos—full stories filmed about the characters.

The new PV's look like Miku and her friends dancing around on a stage. They're creatively filmed, sure, but you can tell it's a pre-set background. I suppose this may be the point, but I'm not a fan.

Maybe Future Tone will get a Vita release so I can play it...

 

[Ludger Kresnik]

...I don't know, this is more or less what I feared when I read the OT just now.

I mean, compare these to, say, Black Rock Shooter or Rolling Girl in F and F 2nd. These look like full videos—full stories filmed about the characters.

The new PV's look like Miku and her friends dancing around on a stage. They're creatively filmed, sure, but you can tell it's a pre-set background. I suppose this may be the point, but I'm not a fan.

Maybe Future Tone will get a Vita release so I can play it...

It's part of the whole direction they decided to take X. Instead of music videos you're looking at live concert performances. But honestly, most of the videos are way too stylised to pass as concerts. The game is plagued with questionable choices like that.

Future Tone on Vita is pretty unlikely, but I'd pray along with you as someone who doesn't have a PS4 yet.

 

[KharmaPolice]

Yeah, the PVs definitely aren't as sophisticated as in previous games. Guess they wanted to make sure the animation can be reused for the real life concerts.

And either I'm doing something wrong or unlocking the new modules is freaking impossible. I've unlocked all the songs (sans the last one) and so far I've only unlocked 1 new module (Meikos witch outfit). However I'm already getting repeat ones. This is some bullshit RNG. Sega really wants you to buy that unlock DLC it seems...

 

[Remembrance]

Future Tone could not possibly run on the Vita without a graphical downgrade so severe that it would not even be the same game anymore.

Like, it would have to be at the level of prerendered videos playing in the background.

 

[Zenaku]

New modules, as is, modules not in previous games? Yeah, they seem to be rare. I think I have 3 or 4, with 2 areas to go.


Still have the Cute and Beauty areas to do, but here's things I've noticed so far.

Pros
Overall presentation is great (interface, results screen looks nice, camera work in songs)
Easy mode feels harder (I'm making lots of mistakes at least; Cool window may be shorter?)
Nice songs
Short loading times
Nice new modules

Cons
Not enough Rin (not enough non-Miku in general)
Songs (so far, possibly altogether) are all dancing stages (PV's and songs no longer tell stories)
No loading images to collect
Costume unlocks are completely random (or seem to be)
Story is basic
Opening movie is boring
Miku Room type interaction is a lot simpler (no head rubbing/minigames that I can see, or an actual Miku room itself; seems to be the default menu now, and you can't decorate it yourself, they'll put stuff you give them onto the same shelves)
The new Clear/Clear+ isn't any better than the old Standard/Great/Excellent/Perfect system
The new scoring system may prevent you from using your favourite modules, or force you to use accessories you don't want to, in order to clear a song (failed a song because of the module setup I used; don't know if that'll be common on higher difficulties/harder songs)

 

[muteki]

The lack of story PVs has been out there for a while. I'm not terribly bothered with it, but the spacing in the stages is a bit big for the choreography they are pulling, so it makes it look "empty" to me. I can kind of understand the stages where more than one character is expected.

I suspect a good part of the decision making progress has to do with how Miracle Girls Festival was designed. So many of the progression and organization changes in X mirror or are similar to MGF, from the performance stages to the live events.

I'm mostly in it for the songs and the note charts.

 

[Safros]

The missing loading screen art is such a weird thing to me. It just seems to go against the spirit of the series and of Vocaloid.

I'm really curious to see how this has been selling in comparison to previous entries.

 

[macklelol]

Live Quest is pretty boring.

 

[Trigonometrize.]

The lack of story PVs has been out there for a while. I'm not terribly bothered with it, but the spacing in the stages is a bit big for the choreography they are pulling, so it makes it look "empty" to me. I can kind of understand the stages where more than one character is expected.

I suspect a good part of the decision making progress has to do with how Miracle Girls Festival was designed. So many of the progression and organization changes in X mirror or are similar to MGF, from the performance stages to the live events.

I'm mostly in it for the songs and the note charts.

The MGF thing came to my mind right before I read your post. Perhaps the team was charged with making both games at the same time so they had to cut corners and design them similarly.

 

[Wowfunhappy]

The MGF thing came to my mind right before I read your post. Perhaps the team was charged with making both games at the same time so they had to cut corners and design them similarly.

Wasn't MGF a much smaller release though? Hard to believe they would cut back on the larger game for the sake of a much smaller one.