Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Party Dash
- August 29, 2024
- Cygames
Umamusume: Pretty Derby - Party Dash is a decent party game, but some poor events and a lack of tutorials spoil the experience a bit
Get on Steam"Umamusume: Pretty Derby – Party Dash" is a rhythm game where players take on the role of a racehorse girl and compete in races. The special edition includes the full game and the "Party Dash Team Bundle," which grants access to three DLC packs and special titles. The DLC content will become available in-game after their respective release dates.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Playstation 4
Playstation 5
Steam Deck
Windows
PlayStation
Reviews
- The game features fun and chaotic gameplay with four distinct mini-games that are enjoyable, especially when played with friends.
- The pixel art style and character designs are beautiful, and the voice acting adds charm to the story mode.
- Fans of the Uma Musume franchise will appreciate the opportunity to interact with their favorite characters in a new way.
- The game lacks content, with only four mini-games and a short story mode, making it feel repetitive and not worth the high price tag.
- Online multiplayer is plagued with connection issues, making it difficult to find matches and diminishing the overall experience.
- DLC characters do not add new story content or mini-games, leading to disappointment among players hoping for more substantial updates.
- story49 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 80 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally viewed as underwhelming, with many reviewers noting its brevity and lack of depth, particularly in the DLC which fails to introduce new narrative content. While the character interactions and voice acting are appreciated, the overall story mode is described as short and simplistic, leaving players wanting more substantial content for the price. Despite these criticisms, some fans still find enjoyment in the existing storylines and character dynamics.
“Where the game shines the most is the voice acting and story modes.”
“The story mode is fun; I like seeing the interactions between the characters.”
“Regardless, it is lovely to finally be able to see these characters interact with each other outside the anime, and while the story mode is pretty short, what is there is very fun for fans of the series just on the characters alone.”
“As for the DLC, there is no story content added with any of the DLC characters, which is downright criminal.”
“There's basically only a short story mode for each team, the gold ship infinite scroller mode, and free-play, none of which bring enough variety to warrant playing them more than once.”
“Story mode is cute but extremely short for the $45-60 price tag.”
- graphics14 mentions
- 36 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are praised for their beautiful pixel art style and lively animations, with many users appreciating the character designs and voice acting. However, some players noted minor graphical glitches and expressed concerns about the overall value of the game, suggesting that while the visuals are charming, the gameplay may not justify the price. Overall, the art style is a highlight, but players recommend waiting for improvements or sales before purchasing.
“The pixel art style is actually really good and the animations in the game are fantastic.”
“I'm a big fan of the art style!”
“The sprites are very lively and well animated, and the artists did a good job with the low pixel art style.”
“While the graphics and styling of the game are charming and enjoyable, and there are a couple of great fanservice pieces, the game itself is unbearably boring and should not be purchased.”
“The content itself is fun, but one can only hope more stuff is added and polished (graphical glitches, nothing major) as time goes by. Unsure if $45 is worth it; I very much recommend waiting for a sale.”
“I love the franchise, I love the pixel art style, and with online play, I was really looking forward to having a good time with my friends.”
- gameplay12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The gameplay features a variety of mini-games that are enjoyable but can become repetitive over time, lacking depth and strategic elements. While mechanically sound, the experience is hindered by limited online matchmaking options and a lack of engaging content, leading to a sense of boredom for some players.
“Very fun gameplay with four distinct mini-games to play.”
“The gameplay is really fun but it's impossible to find an online match outside Japan.”
“Although the game is good mechanically, it's too boring to play consistently.”
“The gameplay can get very stale after some time.”
“The main attraction minigames are shallow and empty, lacking strategy or the opportunity for emergent gameplay tactics.”
“The delay is killing the gameplay.”
- grinding5 mentions
- 20 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 80 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of unlocking characters in *Umamusume* to be tedious and time-consuming, often feeling like a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game. The lack of custom team options and limited content exacerbates the grind, leading to frustration as players feel compelled to invest excessive time to achieve their goals. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant drawback, detracting from the enjoyment of the game's minigames.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“Grinding to unlock all the Umamusume characters is a chore, as grinding for the tickets can be time-consuming.”
“There's no custom team options right off the bat, and the grinding for it is abysmal.”
“Each of the minigames is really fun, but there's just so little content, and when half of the game's content is based on grinding minigames.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is highlighted as a standout feature, with players finding the characters and dialogue genuinely funny, enhancing the overall experience. While the story mode offers amusing interactions among voice actors, the gameplay is complemented by a variety of entertaining minigames. Overall, the humor is described as a delightful addition that elevates the game's appeal beyond its initial comedic premise.
“An epic funny Umamusume title party game.”
“Despite it seemingly being advertised as a funny appetizer, it's better than the main course.”
“The story mode is nice; hearing the voice actors say the funny lines and talk to each other adds to the humor.”
- music3 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- -67 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received positive feedback, with particular praise for the main menu theme of "Golshi's Grand Adventure 2." Reviewers appreciate the overall quality of the soundtrack, noting that it enhances the enjoyment of the mini-games and complements the game's visuals.
“The soundtrack is pretty good; I especially enjoy the main menu theme of Golshi's Grand Adventure 2.”
“Again, the mini-games are fun, the sprites are gorgeous, and the music is good too.”
“The music in this game feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I found the soundtrack to be underwhelming and not fitting for the game's atmosphere.”
“The audio quality of the music is disappointing, with some tracks sounding flat and uninspired.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
While the game is generally enjoyable and has potential for replayability, the lack of dynamic mini-games limits its overall replay value, leaving players wanting more variety.
“A really unfortunate situation for a game that is fun and replayable, and for a franchise that really had the opportunity to put its best foot forward in the anglosphere.”
“There is not much replay value if all the mini-games are static.”
“The lack of variety in gameplay makes it hard to want to play again.”
“Once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to return.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game is closely tied to character stats, which enhance performance in specific minigames, suggesting a well-balanced design. However, the overall graphics and performance aspects remain unspecified, indicating a potential area for improvement or further evaluation.
“Each character has unique stats that enhance their performance in specific minigames, making some characters the optimal choice for certain challenges.”
“The game's graphics and performance are well-optimized, providing a smooth and visually appealing experience.”
“The game suffers from severe optimization issues, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
“Despite the interesting mechanics, the overall performance is hampered by poor optimization, making it frustrating to play.”
“I encountered numerous bugs and glitches that clearly indicate a lack of proper optimization, detracting from the overall experience.”
- monetization2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Many users feel that the game's pricing, set at $45 for the standard edition and $60 for the special edition, suggests a cash grab, especially with additional DLCs already announced. They recommend waiting for significant discounts before purchasing.
“As much as I love this franchise, for $45 (or $60 for the special edition), this game feels more like a cash grab.”
“Wait for a very heavy sale... I hate to say it, but it feels like a quick cash grab at full price, especially with the already announced DLCs.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Overall, users find the game enjoyable but note the presence of minor graphical glitches that could benefit from further polishing. Many recommend waiting for a sale before purchasing, as they are uncertain if the current price of $45 is justified given the stability issues.
“The content itself is fun, but one can only hope more stuff is added and polished (graphical glitches, nothing major) as time goes by. I'm unsure if $45 is worth it; I very much recommend waiting for a sale.”
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