Bandai Namco revealed more information about the gameplay and modes available in Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival. It was announced back in February 2022 and is slated for release on the Switch on September 23, 2022. Like previous entries, it’ll have a variety of gameplay modes to keep aspiring Drum Masters entertained.
The opening mode of Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is actually a story mode, set in the game location of Omiko City. Players join Taiko mascot Don-chan ahead of a planned fireworks display. While attempting to drum away some inclement weather, the pair encounter a new friend, Kumo-kyun the mysterious cloud. Together with Don-chan and Kumo-kyun, players continue their journey to bring rhythm and joy to Omiko City, while aiming to become a Taiko Master. The game also supports a variety of control options in handheld and docked modes. Motion controls, touch controls, and controls using the Taiko Drum peripherals are supported. Online and local multiplayer for up to two players are supported for the core Taiko Mode and the game’s second mode, “Great Drum Toy War.”
The core rhythm game has an initial lineup of 76 songs, including songs like “Gurenge,” “Feel Special,” “Into the Night,” and “Cruel Angel’s Thesis.” The songs can be played on various difficulties, from “Easy” to “Extreme.” A special subscription service, the Taiko Music Pass, adds over 500 additional songs, with more added each month. Songs include themes from popular anime, Vocaloid songs, game soundtracks, and classical music.
Great Drum Toy War is a competitive mode in Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival. Players will create a deck of their favorite toys. Drumming well during the stage spawns toys from the deck that battle against their opponents’. Toys and skills can cause various effects to interfere with an opponent’s play. For example, one skill causes false notes to appear on the opponent’s rhythm line. New toys can be unlocked in the in-game store. Both Great Drum Toy War and Taiko Mode support online matchmaking.
Another party mode, this time built for up to four players, is “Don-chan Band.” Don-chan Band challenges players to play in sync, with each taking control of a different instrument. Don-chan Band supports 20 songs in the lineup.
Taiko no Tatsujin: Rhythm Festival is in development and will release on Nintendo Switch on September 22, 2022.
