This game is freaking hard.

So I recently started up Project Diva: Future Tone after buying the full package on PSN. After dabbling in a few songs, I've found this game to be considerably harder than the console counterparts. Obviously having played F and F2nd, I can't go by muscle memory on those since the arcade charts are different largely because of the different mechanics. To put it in perspective, I am not new to the rhythm game genre. I cut my teeth on Bust a Groove, Dance Dance Revolution, Beatmania IIDX, DJMAX, Superbeat: XONIC, Pop 'n Music, Keyboardmania, etc. As far as my Project Diva game experience goes, I consider myself a competent player, not an elite-tier player by any stretch. I can pass everything up to 8 1/2 stars and even have cleared a few 9s on the console games. Granted, I expected the arcade game to be slightly harder simply because the mechanics are different - now you have hold notes, slide notes, multi-notes instead of the traditional console fare like star notes. But I figured I was going to get used to the new stuff quickly and my grades might be slightly lower than on console. So I fired up the game and played a few rounds.

Oh boy, I had no idea what I was getting into. Harsh reality hit me like a ton of leeks.

I decided to try something relatively easy as my first song (Forest, Wastelands, Magic Song). I got one dreaded SAFE on Normal. So then I try Hard. The multi-notes threw me for a loop, and I panicked. I still managed to EXCELLENT clear it. Then I played Extreme after unlocking it clearing Hard. Remember how I passed 8.5s and 9s on console? I barely FAILED it (Cheap rating) on my first try because I couldn't read the multi-notes. A 6.5 on Extreme. Yeah, that was a major wake-up call. Pretty embarrassing to say the least. The 7s are even worse. Honestly, I was shocked to see 8s on Hard, I can't even imagine what those may look like (never mind Extreme).

So obviously I need to get better at hold notes and multi-notes. I dunno about button spam, I haven't tried too many of those yet.

Oh Sega, all this time you were massively trolling me. Now I see the true face of Hatsune Miku. Thanks Sega, for killing my ego.

 

Ok, this is just getting silly. Sega should've had a trophy or a title for getting the one dreading SAFE 39 times, because I'd easily have that accomplishment after playing through the vast majority of Hard. But I'm glad others think this game is considerably harder than the console Diva games. I dunno, I kinda expected the arcade game to be a little more difficult than their console counterparts, I just underestimated how much harder it would be. But I am getting better at it. Practice Mode does help a lot, though I wish there was an option to slow down the songs for some of the nastier songs, like I've seen on Konami's console Bemani games.

Yeah, I've noticed the multi notes follow a pattern. Basically, they're laid out the same way the arcade controller is - Triangle/Square/X/Circle. I've gotten to where I can read the multi notes horizontally, but vertical patterns still confuse me. The triples are harder but they also seem to follow a consistent pattern. That's the biggest hurdle I have to overcome at present. That and button spam. I'm not good at alternating button patterns and fast runs.

You basically read my mind. Especially since a lot of these charts are gimmicky. :)

I've unlocked all the accessories, and almost unlocked all the Extreme charts, I'm currently working through the rest of the 6.5 star charts, then just the 7s on up, not really looking forward to some of those. 180 down, 44 to go. (gulp)

 

I've come a long way in 2 months. I've got almost 175 Perfects on Hard. I actually cleared Disappearance of Hatsune Miku Extreme for my 1st 9* clear. I've got 12 Perfects on Extreme, only 1 oddly enough on EX Extreme. I've played through all of the songs on every difficulty, now I'm just waiting for DLC songpack #3 to come out next month. I still find EX Extreme to be harder than Extreme overall, some of the hardest charts have such stupid endings that are specifically designed to screw you out of a Clear. Most songs 9* and up are still beyond me though. I still wish I could slow down songs in Practice Mode.