Muse Dash: Feel That Healing Beat

 As I am still waiting to finish my choice for Game of the Year. I have decided to write about one of my favorite games of the past few years. Muse Dash, a rhythm game from Pero Pero Games, is a title that I periodically come back to. The music choices are pretty expansive and I find this intensity and adrenaline rush that comes from playing songs. The flow of the game is dependent on the track chosen, and the experience has really made me appreciate music and timing based actions in games more and more. 

For me, rhythm games are not really my style. I was into Guitar Hero when those were popular in the late 2000s and early 2010s, yet I could never apply myself as much as I needed to play Hard or Expert difficulty. Perfection was too embedded in my mindset that it was genuinely difficult to imagine not getting a full combo. I would say that I still struggle in that regard, but I have been better about it as of recently. And I think that Muse Dash has helped me quite a bit in working on that aspect. 

Finishing the set and going again until it feels right or stopping when it just doesn't click. Trying to figure out what is the best option for me. The exhilaration that comes with getting a full combo on a song that has been stumping you is so fulfilling. Yet the opposite end of the spectrum is the crushing defeat from not being able to get the job done on another track. A dilemma that doesn't end at either road. 

I understand if this might sound dramatic when talking about video games. They are mostly for leisure. While you can earn money from them, they are always going to be there for pleasure. This intensity comes from that thrill to achieve more than what you have already. How can I be satisfied unless I roll credits? How can I improve my own gameplay prowess if I give up now? Games are meant to be played. And the people that make these games deserve the recognition when I see them in the credits. Whether I want to thank or curse them doesn't matter. 

To get back to Muse Dash. I find that the chart makers do an exceptional job. The only things that need to be managed on screen are your upper track and lower track. As the difficulty scales, these tracks will get cluttered to the point that you need to shift into a gear that you didn't know you had. Not just careless mashing, but timed properly in order to get a perfect hit. There are many factors that will lead you to a higher score. Yet they all start at being able to hit perfect notes. 

A staple in most rhythm games is to hit that perfect. And Muse Dash is no different. From there you can start to worry about what character you pick. You can go with The Girl in Black Marija that lengthens the timing window so you can practice and get the rhythm down. Or you can go with Joker Buro for higher combo bonus score. Or you can go with a collaboration character like Hatsune Miku, who can hit enemies and hold notes regardless of what track they are on. A fun variety that adds to the depth of the game. There are also characters who don't have abilities like Part-Time Warrior Rin. The game tailors to a lot of different factors on character selection alone.

You also have to choose an Elfin. A little familiar that adds a benefit, in most cases, to the player. Rabbot-233 allows for five misses to be turned into greats as long as those aren't hold notes or the player taking damage. A helpful ability for people that want the best chance at a full combo. Another one that I find useful is Little Witch, who gives 20% more score while in fever mode. Fever Mode occurs after chaining so many notes together, resulting in a short period to get extra score. It is easy to see why Little Witch would be quite useful. 

The game features many different styles of music as well. Some of my favorites include the Hatsune Miku and Touhou Project tracks. Along with stuff involving Nanahira and EmoCosine. A lot of electronic pop. Which is typical for many rhythm games. But that does not discount some of wicked rock tracks that can be found in the games catalog. 

Muse Dash is phenomenal video game that just celebrated their fifth anniversary. The team is still releasing song packs, which is a welcome sight. The game is also just super fun and enjoyable from a casual perspective. And I wish more people would play it. Shoutouts to the incredible art and animation teams as well. There are so many artworks and title screen animations that look absolutely phenomenal. There is so much love in this game that I hope to see it continue into the future. A truly outstanding game with tremendous upside.