Hatsune Miku on the 3DS! Project Mirai DX reviewBy Stella Rice
Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX is a rhythm game for the Nintendo DS featuring Hatsune Miku and other Crypton Future Media Vocaloids. If you aren’t familiar with Vocaloids, Hatsune Miku is essentially a Japanese virtual pop-idol whose singing voice comes from a voice synthesizer program. Originally, the game was set to release in May 2015 but was delayed until September. Since the release date was delayed, a special Launch Edition is available for North America which comes with a Hatsune Miku wallet keychain and an AR card set. The game is going for $39.99 USD and well worth the price!
Initially, I was afraid the game wouldn’t meet my expectations. I’ve pretty much played the pants off of Project Diva F/F2nd on PS Vita so I didn’t know what to expect from the 3DS. However, I’m far from disappointed with my purchase. Packed with features, Project Mirai offers a variety of playing modes. The rhythm game includes 48 full length tracks with two modes (button and tap) as well as three difficulties: Easy, Normal, and Hard. There is not an Extreme difficulty, but I do have to say Hard mode is actually, well, hard! Aside from the rhythm game you have a “Hang out” mode where you can call Miku, Rin, Len, Luka, Meiko or Kaito to hang out. There are also cameo visits from Gumi where she gives you game tips and presents. “Hang out” mode is more than patting the Vocaloids on the head, giving them presents, or being a creeper who watches as they dance around in their room (as those who have played Project Diva are familiar with). You can interact with the Vocaloids by giving them snacks, playing mini games, or even giving them an allowance (which I have yet to figure out what the allowance actually does). Outside of “Hang out” you can dress-up your Vocaloid, remodel their rooms, play Puyo Puyo 39 against other players or Vocaloids, and even create your own tunes using voice samples and sounds on a mini keyboard feature. This option is also available in the rhythm game while watching music videos. But wait, there’s more! You can take your Vocaloid around the main map to go shopping in the department store (where your Vocaloid companion will model outfits for you, and you can purchase furniture or snacks), visit the dance studio to edit dances, or go to the AR Station to put those Launch Edition AR cards to use. With all these features you’ll definitely find it hard to put the game away.
Since Project Mirai comes on a 3DS you can choose to play in 3D or 2D (if the 3D option feels too harsh on your eyes). My favorite aspect of the game is you don’t have to wait forever in a load screen since songs load fairly fast. You can also choose help items, character outfits, and sound options in the song select screen so you can go directly to the song without encountering another options screen before playing. The Vocaloids are all “Nendoroid” designed but the chibi appearance doesn’t diminish the graphics of the game; the characters are far from blocky and rigid. The singing voices are also clear and sound less mechanical. Remember when you were first introduced to Vocaloids and they all sounded like robots? I feel like each song has been remastered and cleaned up to give the best sound and voice. The attention to detail is also spectacular particularly in the dance moves and lip sync; all the vowels match up. It’s all just… so darn cute! 
To be honest, I’m not really a DS player so mastering the game play is difficult since I’m not used to the button layout, however, this doesn’t detract from all the fun I’ve had playing it. Icons appear on a line that flows throughout the song winding into different shapes or moving across the screen. For the most part, the line is continuous but the harder the mode, the more the line will separate or shift across the screen. Difficulty determines how many different icon buttons you’ll see in a song:
Button Mode
Easy:AB
Normal: ABY + Direction Pad
Hard: ABYX + Direction Pad
Button Mode
Easy:AB
Normal: ABY + Direction Pad
Hard: ABYX + Direction Pad
Tap Mode
Easy: Pink
Normal: Blue, Pink + Swipe
Hard: Blue, Pink, Yellow + Swipe
*** There is an option to change the colors for each mode so you’re not committed to these colors***
Difficulty also determines the amount of notes, speed, and variety of icons that are displayed (as with any Hatsune Miku game). In hard mode you’ll have to hold down a button and push different directions all at the same time; you’ll definitely have a coordination workout! At the end of the song you are graded based on your performance. You can increase your score by gaining an extra “Spin bonus” or hitting all the SP notes that appear intermittently throughout the song. You never actually “complete” the song unless you get 100% of the notes but no worries; to keep you motivated the Vocaloid singer will encourage you with every 100 notes you hit. Never forget Project Mirai is a rhythm game so just go with the groove!
The shortcoming of the game is that there is no Extreme mode. The game does make up for it by offering a Super Hard mode for select songs, but it’s not offered for the entire track list. I’m also not very fond of the Nendoroid design. While it looks adorable it doesn’t match the mature content of certain Vocaloid videos. This contrast doesn’t sit well with me when characters, dance moves, or costume, somewhat sexualized. However, I keep in mind Project Mirai plays on a 3DS; a gaming system meant to be “family friendly” so the chibi style does feel like the best fit for the system. My last qualm I have with the game is that you already get the costumes for the songs. While this is totally awesome because you get the full effect of the video right off the bat, I think it diminishes the replay value. Why start buying costumes at the costume shop when I already have the costume? Why bust my buttons for points to spend in the store? Fortunately, I can use all the points I earn to buy room furniture and snacks for my Vocaloid but I remember always having fun earning points to purchase a costume.Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX will definitely keep you entertained for hours on end. I beat the game in less than a day, however, there are so many features that keep me coming back. I recommend this game to anyone who loves rhythm games and to all Vocaloid fans.
What do you guys think of the game? Do you plan to buy it? What’s your favorite track? Let us know what you think!
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