KAMITSUBAKI CITY ENSEMBLE
- August 28, 2024
- KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO
Get on Steam"KAMITSUBAKI CITY ENSEMBLE" is a rhythm game featuring over 48 songs from Kamitsubaki Studio and Musical Isotope series. The game includes five AI girls and five Witchlings to provide an immersive and engaging experience. Players can purchase the Season Pass for access to over 100 songs, with additional packs added monthly.
Reviews
- The game features a great selection of songs, particularly for fans of Kamitsubaki Studio and CeVIO, making it enjoyable for music lovers.
- The dynamic lane switching mechanic (4k to 7k) adds a unique challenge and keeps gameplay interesting, especially for those looking to improve their rhythm game skills.
- The art style and character designs are cute, and the story elements provide an engaging backdrop for the rhythm gameplay.
- The user interface is poorly designed, with bright colors and a cluttered layout that can be visually straining, especially on larger screens.
- Gameplay can be disorienting due to the lane switching mechanic, which may confuse players, particularly those new to rhythm games.
- The game feels more suited for mobile devices, with many features and UI elements that do not translate well to PC, leading to a less enjoyable experience.
- music101 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise for its quality and variety, particularly appealing to fans of CeVIO and Vocaloid songs. Players appreciate the extensive song pool, with around 40-50 tracks available in the base game for a low price, making it a great value for rhythm game enthusiasts. While some users noted issues with the UI and difficulty scaling, the overall sentiment is that the music significantly enhances the gameplay experience.
“It's beautiful, has an interesting story, good music, all this for a fine price.”
“The music is transcendent, which elevates it quite a lot in my book.”
“The songs are amazing, and the girls are cute.”
“As for rhythm games in general, if the songs do not vibe well with you, it can be hard to enjoy playing.”
“The music selection in the base game is pretty good for CeVIO, but the songs available for the virtual singers leave something to be desired (the lack of any guest songs for KAF even with DLC is particularly disappointing).”
“P and Koko songs in a rhythm game, but the UI is really bad and the timing feels extremely off no matter how much I adjust it.”
- story53 mentions
- 28 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story in the game is generally viewed as charming and interesting, with many players appreciating its connection to the Kamitsubaki City lore, though some find it simplistic and lacking in depth. While the narrative is often described as cheesy and presented in a low-budget style, it has potential for development, especially with future expansions planned. Overall, the story serves as a pleasant addition to the rhythm gameplay, though it may not be the primary draw for all players.
“I'm really enjoying this story and like that playing the rhythm game unlocks it.”
“This rhythm game stands out unexpectedly—by incorporating a compelling story that deeply connects the player, elevating the experience beyond what is typical in the genre.”
“The game does have a story, and while I don't play these types of games for a story, I do find this one endearing so far.”
“The forced story is frustrating after completing songs.”
“However, as mentioned earlier, the plot feels incomplete, as if it is only a prologue to future projects, and this prologue is much longer than it really should be because of this whole rhythm game thing.”
“The story is very simple, there are no customization options for lines, notes, or colors for the keys, nothing but frustration and a studio that doesn't even issue a note about future updates.”
- gameplay45 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 60 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a unique lane-switching mechanic that ranges from 4 to 7 lanes, providing a challenging experience for rhythm game enthusiasts, though it may not appeal to all players. While the core mechanics are engaging and the music selection is praised, some users noted issues with input recognition and UI design, leading to a mixed overall impression. Despite its flaws, many find the gameplay enjoyable and a good value for the price, especially for those willing to adapt to its innovative features.
“The introduction of a seven-button mechanic was initially surprising, but as someone who enjoys a challenge, I found it to be an incredible addition that pushes the skill ceiling higher than most rhythm games.”
“It allows players to immerse themselves in the music they love while engaging in gameplay that is both challenging and rewarding. Can't wait to clear every level!”
“Definitely worth the money, the gameplay puts a really nice spin on the normal beatmania style rhythm games and it warns you before the lane changing mechanic takes place.”
“The one glaring issue I have with the gameplay is that there's no 'practice mode' or anything that I've found so far.”
“The gameplay feels so bad, seriously doubt if the developers even played their own game.”
“While the key-changing gameplay might be innovative on mobile, the experience on PC is very poor.”
- graphics5 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their charming character art and strong aesthetic style, contributing to an overall visually appealing experience. While the UI is generally considered fine, some users suggest it could benefit from more dimmed colors and gradation. Overall, the visuals and aesthetic elements enhance the game's charm and storytelling.
“The visuals are great, characters are lovable, and the songs are fantastic.”
“I really like the aesthetic of the game and its user interface.”
“The character art is really charming and matches the overall aesthetic of the game.”
- optimization4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the game requires better optimization, particularly for non-mobile platforms, where players desire more customization options for lane angles. Additionally, there are calls for improved quality of life features, bug fixes, and the ability to manage download sizes, as the current 20GB requirement is considered excessive for a rhythm game.
“- Quality of life features as well as bug fixes and optimization.”
“Either way, I think it should be optimized or have the players be able to choose what they want to download first because a 20GB rhythm game is quite large.”
“- QOL features as well as bug fixes and optimization.”
“I just sort of wished the PC version, and probably other devices that aren't mobile, had more customization regarding the lane angle optimizations. It feels awkward to read pattern A and pattern B on PC, in my opinion.”
- humor1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's humor is generally well-received, with players finding it funny and engaging, especially when expectations are kept in check. Many agree that it offers good value for its price.
“If you don't have very high expectations, the game is quite funny and interesting to play, totally worth it for its price.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is well-crafted, seamlessly transitioning between lighthearted, comedic moments and more serious, profound themes, creating a balanced and engaging experience for players.
“The writing is pretty decent; it shifts between a light, comedic mood and heavy atmospheres with deep topics without feeling too forced.”
- character development1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is noted for its engaging story and appealing character designs, though specific details about character growth are not extensively discussed. Overall, players find the characters intriguing and well-integrated into the narrative.
“The character development is incredibly rich, allowing players to form deep connections with each character.”
“I love how the characters evolve throughout the story, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.”
“The backstories and personal growth of the characters add so much depth to the overall narrative.”
