DJ Max Technika Tune - Vita review

[Nisa]

After last month's release of Project Diva f it seems that the Vita has yet another top class rhythm game out for it. I've only played for about an hour but it's been long enough to realise that this is a must buy for fans of the genre.

The first thing that impressed me was the slick presentation which the DJ Max series has been quite well known for. Everything from the menus to the background videos look great on the Vita's screen. The videos during songs include proper music videos for the 4 or 5 Kara songs which make an appearance as well as the usual nicely animated backgrounds similar to those found in the PSP titles. You can unlock each video for viewing in the game's "collection" menu as well as artwork and stills from said videos and you can make playlists with the songs as well. Also impressive is the up to date online ranking which is found above each song on the song select screen which is great for the hardcore players who like to chase top scores (I got an S+ rank/full combo on one song and didn't even scratch the top 2000 ). You can also access high scores on the main menu at any time and you can link the game to your Facebook account to show off any new scores/tropies you might have earned.

Gameplaywise the game is pretty straightforward. There's a tutorial at the beginning of the game which you can also access at any time afterwards showing you the difference between each type of note e.g. tap notes,hold notes and rear touch panel notes etc. Any seasoned rhythm game player will know the drill pretty much straight away. The note charts vary from incredibly easy to "How in the blue hell am I supposed to clear that?" so there should be a decent amount of longevity to the game. I haven't seen the full song list but there's been enough to keep me occupied for a while at least. The level up system which helps you unlock modifiers such as anti-combo breakers and +% experience points from previous games is back. Earning more experience means earning more songs and artwork etc.

It would be nice to add folks from around here to my friends list for a bit of competitive high score chasing (which will inevitably be everyone chasing Fuse's scores no doubt).

[crazytaxinext]

Which previous DJ Max would you say this is most like? The series has been tailing off for me of late

[Nisa]

It's not really like the previous games. This one is all touch screen based. It's more similar to Ouendan than anything else.

Just realised that the high score above the songs on song select is a total score record and not for individual songs (currently ranked 1453rd woo).

[crazytaxinext]

Will have a look into it

[Mr M0by]

So do we think this is not likely to ever be released in Europe?

[fuse]

It's being released in America!

My LE is in the post. Looking forwards to it - didn't enjoy the later DJMax Portable games, but always wanted to get more into Technika as the arcade one was v. enjoyable.

[Mr M0by]

Yeah I saw that, Mid-October I think but it doesn't appear to be listed at either VG+ or Tronix atm.

[wakka]

Well Nisa, you've convinced me. I've had it on preorder for months but ummed and ahhed when AmiAmi emailed me asking for payment. F*ck it girlfriend is going to Taiwan for family stuff in a week or so too so might try and get her to pick me up Project Diva F while she's there.

[phillai]

I really want this but the lack of any news regarding a Euro release is really getting me down!

[phillai]

My worry is that the screen might be a touch (lol) small... The arcade was played on a biggish widescreen!

Still, I wanna play with these hotties...