Idol Death Game TV
| Idol Death Game TV | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Witchcraft |
| Publisher(s) | D3 Publisher |
| Director(s) | Shoujiro Endo |
| Producer(s) | Yujiro Usuda |
| Designer(s) | Metawo Ueda |
| Writer(s) | Shoujiro Endo |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation Vita |
| Release date(s) |
|
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Idol Death Game TV (Japanese: アイドルデスゲームTV Hepburn: Aidoru Desu Gēmu TV) is an action-adventure video game developed by Witchcraft and published by D3 Publisher for the PlayStation Vita with PlayStation TV support, released on October 20, 2016 in Japan. The game follows the idols of top idol group "Project 47", as they partake in an event titled the "Dream of Dreams" to become the central idol of the group. Those who fail in the competition are killed.
Premise
The game centers on an event titled "Dream of Dream", set within a desolate old mansion named the "House of Seven Moons",[1] where a central idol is set to be chosen from the members of popular idol group "Project 47".[2] According to the game, "Project 47" is named after the 47 prefectures of Japan, and within the game's world is the largest and popular idol group in the country; the "Dream of Dreams" is broadcast throughout Japan.[1] The "Dream of Dreams" event happens once a year, with the game's premise being the tenth reiteration.[1] However, it is a lot different from usual, as lower-ranked idols are also included and no script was given; thus, the selection standards and how the winner is chosen remains unknown.[1] Within "Project 47" are seven different teams, such as "Team Happy" (representing Kanto), "Team Smile" (representing Kansai), "Team Passion" (representing Kyushu) and "Team Rising" (representing both Hokkaido and Tohoku);[1] amounting in total to over 200 characters, sorted by rank.[2] Central characters include:
- Mariko Kamata (voiced by Azumi Asakura), a rank 88 idol part of the first graduating class with 10 years of experience.[2] She is a member of Team Happy.[1]
- Chiharu Chigasaki (voiced by Emi Uema), a rank 5 orthodox idol who puts in great effort.[2] She is a member of Team Happy.[1]
- Shirase Tsubaka (voiced by Yurika Kubo), a rank 15 young sister-type idol whom adores Mariko and Chiharu.[2] She is a member of Team Happy.[1]
- Ayaka Tennouji (voiced by Yu Serizawa), a rank 6 idol with a strong sense of justice. She is the leader of Team Smile.[2]
- Rito Karasuma (voiced by Asuka Nishi), a rank 43 idol with talent whom adores Ayaka.[2] She is a member of Team Smile.[1]
- Ren Isahaya (voiced by Mao Ichimichi), a beautiful girl with an androgynous appearance. She is a member of Team Passion and has won the last three consecutive "Dream of Dreams", but always boycotts her centre inauguration.[3]
- Hime Asahikawa (voiced by Rika Tachibana), a rank 1 "super rookie" idol with large amounts of ambition, aspiration, and talent. She is a member of Team Rising.[4]
- Doripaku (voiced by Kappei Yamaguchi), a pink costumed character with an appearance of a tapir whom controls the "Dream of Dreams"[2] as the program's host.[1] He is a mysterious being who says he appeared "to make the world much more interesting", and enjoys manipulating peoples' emotions and lives.[1]
Gameplay
The player plays as one idol appearing in the "Dream of Dreams" event, experiencing the game from that character's point of view. Depending on the character they choose, Idol Death Game TV's plotline changes accordingly.[2] The game features exploration, judging, and "Death Concert" elements. During exploration, players search for items throughout each stage and exchange information with other idols, raising their own spirits while lowering those of their opponents.[2] During the judging parts, the player and other idols are judged based upon their dancing and performance, with the last-placed idol heading to the "Death Concert". During "Death Concert", idols whom again fail are killed.[2] However, by clearing the trials of Doripaku, defeated characters can be revived.[2] The player's own actions change which characters survive.[5] Thus, they can replay the game multiple times with different characters.[1]
"Dream Coins" serves as the in-game currency of Idol Death Game TV and are required to win a "Death Concert" as well as to receive judgement for each stage. They can also be used to purchase items which helps the player to avoid elimination. "Dream Coins" are obtained by searching the mansions and talking to other idols. After a certain amount of time, players also receive "Dream Coins" based on the number of fans they have.[3] Plays can also steal "Dream Coins" from their competitors by participating in "Baku Royale"s, a one-on-one battle with another idol where the player aims to combine "Bakuro Words" (Exposure Words) and hit their opponent with a scandal which may put an end to their opponent's idol career.[3] Doripaku judges who wins and hurls bombs at the loser.[3]
The objective of Idol Death Game TV is to be the last idol standing, winning the judging of each stage whilst entertaining the audience, thus allowing them to become the central idol of "Project 47". Each character has a genre that they excel in when it comes to singing and dancing.[4] The game is lost when the player loses a "Death Concert".[1]
Development
A countdown teaser website and Twitter account by D3 Publisher for a "new idol project" was launched in late June to promote the game, which itself was officially announced on July 3.[6] The game's official website was launched on July 17,[1] and additional details were released in the July 24 issue of Weekly Famitsu.[7] The debut trailer was released on August 15.[8] Developed by Witchcraft and published by D3 Publisher, Idol Death Game TV is primarily for the PlayStation Vita but also has PlayStation TV support.[7] The game features character design by Metawo Ueda, scripting and supervision by Shoujiro Endo,[7] and is produced by Yujiro Usuda.[2] The game was released on October 20, 2016 in Japan.[2]
A special version of the game titled the Idol Death Game TV Special Pack also includes a music CD containing each idol's character song, a tapestry, a custom PlayStation Vita theme plus a download code for in-game character voices.[3]
Reception
Four Famitsu reviewers awarded Idol Death Game TV scores of 7, 7, 8 and 7, for a final score of 29/40.[9] The game sold 5,822 copies on its first week, placing ninth for all game sales for that week. It also placed sixth for all new games debuting that week, behind Battlefield 1, Mario Party: Star Rush, Macross Delta Scramble, Reco Love: Blue Ocean and Gold Beach and NBA 2K17.[10] Siliconera referred to the game as "pretty muchThe Idolmaster meets Danganronpa."[11] Chris Carter of Destructoid opined that Idol Death Game TV is "not something you typically see in an ocean of shooters and "immersive" open world games, and that's part of why I love it."[12]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Romano, Sal. "Idol Death Game TV first details, screenshots". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Romano, Sal. "Idol Death Game TV is a death game set in a desolate mansion". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Romano, Sal. "Idol Death Game TV details idol Ren Isahaya, Dream Coins, and Baku Royale". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- 1 2 Romano, Sal. "Idol Death Game TV details Team Passion, Team Rising, and Hime Asahikawa". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Romano, Sal. "First look at Idol Death Game TV". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Romano, Sal. "D3 Publisher launches new PS Vita idol project countdown website". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- 1 2 3 Romano, Sal. "D3 Publisher announces Idol Death Game TV for PS Vita". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Romano, Sal. "Idol Death Game TV debut trailer". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Romano, Sal. "Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1454". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Romano, Sal. "Media Create Sales: 10/17/16 – 10/23/16". Gematsu. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Sato. "Idol Death Game TV Is Pretty Much The Idolmaster Meets Danganronpa". Siliconera. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
- ↑ Carter, Chris. "D3 keeps publishing these weird ass games that no one else will". Destructoid. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
External links
- Official website (Japanese)