Developer: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Publisher: Bandai Namco Entertainment
Platform: PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X/S
Tested on: PS5
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival (PS5) – Review
If you’re thinking that you’ve already seen us review Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival over two years ago, you are in fact correct. This title was originally released as an exclusive for Nintendo’s hybrid console in 2022. Now, after a long wait, the game has finally been released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S as well. While in essence, this is exactly the same game as the 2022 release, we still want to see if it was worth the wait for gamers who do not have a Switch at their disposal. We’ll discuss the overall quality of this ‘new’ release in the short review below. If you’re looking for a more in-depth review, we suggest reading our original review by clicking here.
To still give you a quick rundown of what Taiko no Tatsujin is all about, it would be easy to compare it to the Guitar Hero series. Instead of a guitar, however, you’ll be playing the drums. The music focus is also more on J-Pop, anime soundtracks, game tunes, and so on. The offset is simple, as you’ll have to press the correct button (combination) at the right moment during a song to get the best combo possible. Timing your presses will take some time to get used to, but the different difficulty levels make the game very accessible. There are also a few modes to explore, ranging from the standard experience, to party games requiring multiple players’ input. As stated in our original review, the general gameplay loop is a lot of fun.
Now, the main question is if there is anything special about this late port. Well, there isn’t. It’s exactly the same game as the original Switch release. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it also means that for the full package, you’ll still have to dish out a lot of additional money for the DLC or the subscription. A neat bundle edition at a reduced price would have added much value here. That being said, with the Taiko Music Pass, you get a lot of bang for your buck. It reminds us a bit of the subscription-based formula of Just Dance. We can see the appeal if you’re a fan of the series or if you’re very much into rhythm games as a whole.
Conclusion
Truth be told, Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is still a blast to play, be it alone or with friends. This should have just been a multi-platform release from the start, however, as this is a game that is fun for young and old, and for every type of gamer. The base game’s soundtrack wasn’t bad, but Rhythm Festival truly opens up with the additional DLC or the Music Pass. While we are still not a huge fan of pushing additional content right after purchasing a so-called full game, the base content will still keep you occupied for a while. If you love the series, and didn’t get the chance to pick it up on the Switch, then there’s no reason not to pick it up now.
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