KAMITSUBAKI CITY ENSEMBLE
- August 28, 2024
- KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO
"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
- Great song selection featuring popular tracks from Kamitsubaki Studio and V.W.P, making it enjoyable for fans.
- The dynamic lane switching mechanic (4K to 7K) adds a unique challenge and keeps gameplay interesting.
- Cute character designs and engaging story elements enhance the overall experience, especially for fans of the studio.
- The UI is poorly designed for PC, feeling more suited for mobile devices, which can lead to visual strain and confusion during gameplay.
- Gameplay can be disorienting due to the frequent lane changes and similar note colors, making it difficult to read notes effectively.
- Lack of customization options and features like audio delay adjustment detracts from the overall experience, making it feel unpolished.
- music125 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with players praising its diverse selection, particularly for fans of Kamitsubaki and CeVIO artists. The unique gameplay mechanics, such as the disappearing lanes, add an engaging twist to the rhythm experience, while the emotional integration of music into the story enhances overall enjoyment. However, some users expressed disappointment over the limited free song offerings and the additional costs for DLC, suggesting that while the base game provides good value, the future song updates are crucial for maintaining interest.
“Overall, I loved the songs and different playstyle that Kamitsubaki offers compared to other piano-rhythm based games.”
“The songs are great, and that is really all that matters for a rhythm game that checks the basic requirements for being a rhythm game.”
“The music is really good, and I'm happy to see a lot of my favorite songs in this game.”
“I was a bit disappointed that they had so many songs behind another paywall.”
“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 Kafu even with DLC is particularly disappointing).”
“As a music game, more emphasis should be placed on score design and note judgment.”
- story63 mentions
- 30 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally viewed as cute and engaging, 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 charming and rewarding for fans, it suffers from a low-budget presentation and can feel forced at times, especially for those primarily focused on gameplay. Overall, the story adds a layer of enjoyment to the rhythm game experience, but it may not be compelling enough to attract players who are not already invested in the franchise.
“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 also really boring without any voice acting, making it hard to immerse myself and enjoy it.”
- gameplay49 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the innovative lane-switching mechanic and the challenge it presents, while others find it frustrating and poorly executed. Many users noted that the core gameplay is simple and enjoyable, especially for rhythm game enthusiasts, but criticized the lack of a practice mode and inconsistent input recognition. Overall, while the game offers a solid selection of music and a unique experience, it may not appeal to everyone, particularly those unfamiliar with the 5k to 7k key mechanics.
“The core gameplay is fine, the music is great and you get a lot of value for the $4 base purchase.”
“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.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's your basic rhythm game where you have multiple lanes and note blocks coming your way; however, in this game, the lane count freely changes from 4 lanes up to 7 lanes according to the song.”
“Sadly, didn't really like the overall gameplay, the mechanics are just... meh...”
“The gameplay feels so bad, seriously doubt if the developers even played their own game.”
“Gameplay-wise, it's your basic rhythm game where you have multiple lanes and note blocks coming your way, however in this game the lane count freely changes from 4 lanes, up to 7 lanes according to the song.”
- 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 enhance the game's appeal and align well with its thematic elements.
“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 file size 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.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game features a simple yet deeply emotional storyline that resonates with players, enhanced by impactful music. While the narrative is described as wholesome and cute, some reviewers feel it could benefit from further development to increase its overall intrigue.
“This is such a simple but incredibly emotional and moving storyline, and I'm happy with the game design for progression.”
“The music incorporated into the story also hits hard emotionally.”
“So far while I played, it's very wholesome and cute, though I wouldn't say it's very interesting.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Users report that the game's stability is compromised by a strange and buggy user interface, leading to a less than optimal experience.
“The UI feels really strange and buggy.”
“I frequently experience crashes that disrupt my gameplay.”
“The game often freezes, making it frustrating to play.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players find that while grinding in the game presents a steep learning curve, it is ultimately rewarding as it allows for significant skill development through extended play.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and tedious, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find the grinding mechanics to be overly repetitive, which detracts from the overall enjoyment.”
“The amount of grinding required to progress is frustrating and feels like a chore rather than a challenge.”
- 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, the characters contribute positively to the game's narrative experience.
“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 layers to the narrative, making every decision feel impactful.”