Rhythm Heaven: Megamix Review

by Brandon Sultana

August 25th, 2016

3DS

 

The Rhythm Heaven series has been a recent obsession of mine. When the Chorus Kids were rumored to be coming to Super Smash Bros in early 2014, I decided to pick up a copy of Rhythm Heaven Fever for the Wii, which quickly became one of my all-time favorite Wii games. The wait for Megamix to come for 3DS was painful, considering the fact that many fans thought it wouldn’t get localized due to the franchises’ poor performance outside of Japan. But Megamix is finally here, and let me just say…. It is well worth your time and money.

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Gameplay

The gameplay of the Rhythm Heaven games is fairly simple. Just hit the A or B button according to the beat of the song and what is happening on screen for various different mini-games. While the concept is definitely simple, it’s really amazing to see just how much mileage the developers got out of it. There are over 100 different rhythm games, ranging from the simple, “hit the baseball” to the bizarre, “help a wrestler out in his post-match interview”. Not only is there the core mini-games that you clear throughout the story, but occasionally the game will throw a remix at you, which will combine multiple rhythm games into a single song, which is where I believe this game, and the entire series, is at its best. Outside of that, there is plenty of other content to tackle. There are special challenge stages, perfect challenges, local multiplayer, bonus games, StreetPass features, and achievements for you the player to tackle. The thirty-dollar price tag is totally justified here; you’ll be kept busy for a LONG time if you are interested.

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Soundtrack/Replayability

As should be the case with a game with such a heavy emphasis on music, the game’s soundtrack is fantastic. Part of what makes this game so replayable is going back to play old games just to listen to the songs again. Each one is just as memorable as the last, which is only emphasized by the actual gameplay that is coupled with each song. Typically, when it comes to games, once I beat a game, I immedietly stop playing. With Megamix, I kept playing, and playing, and playing. Even when replaying “Final Remix” for the 30th time didn’t do anything for me in terms of completion, I just kept playing, because the game is so dang fun, and the music is so dang good. The game perfectly encapsulates the “Just one more round” mentality that keeps you glued to your screen.

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Story

Unlike past entries in the series, rather than simply thrusting you into the game, this entry actually has a story, characters, and dialogue. The story is definitely only there to move the gameplay forward, and shouldn’t be taken seriously. While the story is unnecessary, I would be lying if I said the writing didn’t keep me entertained. The Treehouse was on their mark when localizing this game, as it got more than a few chuckles out of me. When I had heard that this entry featured story, I was initially worried, but after playing the game, I’m happy it was included. It really adds even more character to an already incredibly charming game.

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Issues

If there is a single glaring issue that I have with this game, it is the in-game currency system. To explain things, every time you play and beat one of the game’s numerous rhythm games, you are given small amounts of currency (between 2-10 coins depending on your performance and the stage’s difficulty). These coins can be spent on various other things throughout the game. This usually isn’t a problem, many, MANY other games use a similar system. The problem here is that there is simply too much to spend your money on. Money is needed in the shop to purchase trinkets and music related to the various rhythm games. It is also required to access the games challenge mode. It’s even needed to progress through the actual story at times. At times, it made me feel like I was playing a free-to-start mobile game (without the microtransactions). If the game gave you just a little bit more money through the rhythm games, this issue would cease to exist. But currently, you simply don’t earn enough money to do everything you want, unless you are willing to grind for it… A LOT.

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Conclusion

Rhythm Heaven Megamix is some of the most fun playing a 3DS game I’ve had in a long time, possibly ever. The core gameplay, while simple, offers a near endless amount of fun. On top of that, there are tons of unlockables and extra content to keep you busy. The currency system can be annoying at times, but if you aren’t a hardcore completionist, this shouldn’t affect you. I can say in confidence that this is the definitive Rhythm Heaven experience, and one of the best games of its genre on the market.

 

Great/10

+ Awesome Soundtrack

+ Good Writing

+ Stuffed with Content

+ Highly Addictive

+ Seriously you won’t want to stop playing

- Please send help

- Currency System