Summary

Release Year: 2012
Genres: Music
Platforms: iOS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable
Developers: A-1 Pictures Inc., Bandai Namco Studios
Publishers: Bandai Namco Games, Namco Bandai Games

The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa is a series of three Japanese rhythm video games developed by Bandai Namco Games and published by Namco Bandai Games. The games are part of The Idolmaster series of games, and were originally released as Honey Sound, Funky Note, and Groovy Tune. They were the first games in the series to be localized into English.

The gameplay in Shiny Festa eschews the simulation format of previous Idolmaster games, and instead features a rhythmic gameplay in which the player times the presses of buttons to the rhythm of the songs and a predetermined pattern displayed on the screen. Each game features a different array of characters and songs, and also includes an original video animation episode. The games’ story centers on the 765 Production’s participation in a music festival, and is told via the anime episodes and occasional dialogue included in the games.

Gameplay

The gameplay in Shiny Festa is similar to other rhythm games such as Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero. The player is presented with a scrolling display of notes, which they must press in time with the music. The notes are divided into four lanes, each corresponding to a different button on the controller. The player must press the correct button as the note reaches the bottom of the screen.

There are three different types of notes in Shiny Festa:

Normal notes: These are the most basic type of note, and simply require the player to press the corresponding button.
Hold notes: These notes require the player to hold down the corresponding button for the duration of the note.
Scratch notes: These notes require the player to scratch the touchscreen in the direction indicated by the arrow on the note.

The player’s performance is judged on their accuracy and timing. The more accurate and timely the player’s inputs, the higher their score. The player can also earn bonus points by hitting streaks of notes without missing.

Characters

Shiny Festa features a total of 15 playable characters, each with their own unique voice actress and personality. The characters are divided into three groups:

765 Production: This group consists of the original 13 idols from the first Idolmaster game.
961 Production: This group consists of four new idols who were introduced in Shiny Festa.
Jupiter: This group consists of three idols from the anime series The Idolmaster Cinderella Girls.

Songs

Shiny Festa features a total of 39 songs, including both original songs and covers of popular songs. The songs are divided into three categories:

Pop: These songs are upbeat and catchy, and are perfect for dancing and singing along to.
Cool: These songs are more relaxed and sophisticated, and are perfect for listening to while you’re studying or working.
Cute: These songs are sweet and adorable, and are perfect for listening to when you’re feeling happy and carefree.

Story

The story of Shiny Festa centers on the 765 Production’s participation in a music festival. The idols are all excited to perform, and they work hard to prepare for the big day. However, things don’t always go smoothly, and the idols must overcome a number of challenges in order to achieve their dreams.

The story is told via the anime episodes and occasional dialogue included in the games. The anime episodes are fully voiced and animated, and they do a great job of bringing the characters and their stories to life.

Reception

Shiny Festa was released to critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising the game’s fun and engaging gameplay, catchy songs, and cute characters. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide.

Legacy

Shiny Festa is considered to be one of the best rhythm games ever made. The game’s success helped to popularize the Idolmaster series in the West, and it also paved the way for future Idolmaster games to be localized into English.

Conclusion

The Idolmaster: Shiny Festa is a fun and engaging rhythm game that is sure to please fans of the series and rhythm games in general. With its catchy songs, cute characters, and challenging gameplay, Shiny Festa is a must-play for anyone looking for a great rhythm game.