Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival
" Addictive casual rhythm game with charming visuals and rich song variety but costly subscription "
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival Review
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is widely recognized as a fun and engaging rhythm game that continues the legacy of the beloved Taiko series. Players appreciate its core gameplay mechanics, which deliver an addictive drumming experience reminiscent of previous entries on various platforms. However, the game has sparked controversy due to its pricing and content distribution model. The base game is priced around $50, but many players find this steep, especially since a subscription-based Music Pass is required to access a large portion of the song library. This model has been perceived as a greedy cash grab by some fans, who prefer the traditional DLC or full song unlock approach seen in earlier titles. Additionally, the replacement of original songs with lower-quality covers detracts from the experience for longtime fans.
Despite these issues, the game boasts a decent base setlist and a relatively affordable Music Pass subscription that unlocks hundreds of additional songs. The online multiplayer aspect, however, is reported to be nearly inactive, and some players dislike the inclusion of leveling and unlock systems, which they find unnecessary. Overall, Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival offers solid rhythm gameplay but is marred by its monetization strategy and limited base content.
Highlights
Players praise the core rhythm gameplay as highly enjoyable and addictive, maintaining the series' reputation.
The game features a decent base song selection, with the Music Pass subscription unlocking a vast library of additional tracks.
Graphics and presentation are generally well-received, with the Taiko mascot Don-chan remaining a charming element.
Fans appreciate the nostalgic value and the continuation of a beloved franchise across multiple platforms.
Criticisms
The most frequent criticism is the subscription-based Music Pass, which many see as an expensive and unfair way to access songs.
Players are disappointed by the replacement of original songs with poor-quality covers, which diminishes the authentic experience.
The base game’s limited song selection and high initial price cause frustration.
The online multiplayer mode is considered dead or inactive, reducing replayability.
Some dislike the unnecessary leveling and unlock systems that complicate progression without adding value.
Pros
- • Core rhythm gameplay is highly addictive and true to the Taiko series.
- • Music Pass subscription offers hundreds of additional songs at a reasonable price.
- • Decent base setlist provides a solid starting point for players.
- • Graphics and character design are charming and visually appealing.
- • Nostalgic appeal for longtime fans of the franchise.
- • Available on multiple platforms, continuing series accessibility.
- • Simple controls make the game easy to pick up and play.
Cons
- • Subscription-based Music Pass is viewed as an expensive cash grab.
- • Many original songs replaced by low-quality covers, disappointing fans.
- • Base game has a limited song selection despite high price.
- • Online multiplayer community is nearly inactive and hard to find matches.
- • Unnecessary leveling and unlock systems frustrate some players.
- • DLC pricing is considered high and fragmented.
- • Lack of custom backgrounds on certain popular songs.
Rating Criteria
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is a drum-based rhythm game featuring songs from genres such as Anime and VOCALOID™, and also a variety of game modes! Have fun playing solo or online!