It has been quite a while since my last post, and I finally have a moment to share my thoughts on Muse Dash. Life has been incredibly busy since my previous update, but today, I managed to find some time to compose this blog post.
Rhythm games have always held a special place in my heart. The way they incorporate music into the gameplay and the variety of difficulty levels available make them truly captivating. I can easily enjoy a casual session by selecting Easy or Medium mode, but I also find great satisfaction in challenging myself with the intense gameplay of Master mode.
I previously shared my thoughts on another rhythm game and its DLCs, and I might consider creating another blog post about it, given that it has released several new content updates since the beginning of 2020. However, that is not the focus of today’s post.
Let’s dive into Muse Dash. This popular rhythm game was released on Android/iOS, PC, and Nintendo Switch last year. I had the opportunity to get it during the Summer Sale on Steam, which was perfect timing as it provided a much-needed escape from the lockdown blues. While battling those feelings, I found solace in playing games like Monster Hunter Iceborne and Project Diva Arcade on PlayStation — Muse Dash, created by PeroPeroGames and published by X.D. Network Inc., quickly caught my attention with its popularity and captivating gameplay.
It’s very colorful: vivid yet candy/pastel colors (like diabetes-inducing) graphics and a fun rhythm game.
Like many rhythm games, there is no storyline to follow. Instead, the game introduces you to three unique characters/muses: Rin, Buro, and Marija. Each muse offers in-game bonuses or effects that can assist you in clearing the game. Additionally, alongside the muses’ multiple costumes, you’ll have the support of an assistant named ‘Elfin’ who can aid you with health, fever bar, or song points.
Originally designed as a mobile game, Muse Dash features an adorable and cutesy aesthetic. It is a two-button scroller game that can be played using either a keyboard or a controller (with full XB or PS controller support). This gameplay style differs significantly from the rhythm games I’m more familiar with, such as Love Live, Tapsonic Top, Deemo, and Cytus. Even when you adjust the song difficulty to Easy, Hard, or Master, Muse Dash remains firmly rooted in its two-button gameplay mechanics.
Every time you successfully clear a song in Muse Dash, you’ll receive collectible items as rewards. These items can range from additional characters to various Elfin assistants, loading screen images, or even animated Muse Dash intros.
In terms of music, I’ll be focusing on the default playlist since I haven’t been able to afford any DLC from their extensive list. The songs in Muse Dash predominantly consist of Chinese tracks, but there’s also a fair mix of English and Japanese songs, as well as instrumental pieces. I’ve also noticed that some of the songs featured in Muse Dash are from other popular rhythm games like Groove Coaster and Cytus. While I hope to see Vocaloid or DJMax songs included, licensing restrictions may make it challenging to feature them. Nevertheless, I can’t help but keep my fingers crossed for future updates.
I believe there is a DLC available that unlocks additional songs for the base game’s default playlist. However, even without purchasing the DLC, the game itself is enjoyable and provides the opportunity to unlock all content through gameplay, although it may require a significant time investment. Of course, for those who have the means, purchasing the DLC can expedite the process.
In terms of DLC offerings, Muse Dash provides a generous feature where they release one or two free songs per playlist each week. This allows players to try out some of the DLC content before committing to a purchase, which is a thoughtful gesture considering that some DLC packs can be quite pricey. It’s a great way for players to explore and discover new songs while making informed decisions about their DLC investments.
To wrap up Muse Dash
Muse Dash is not only a fun rhythm game but also a great way to take a short break from work and unwind.
However, I have noticed that some songs experience lag, sync issues, or frame drops, particularly when there are a high number of notes on the screen. To mitigate this, I make sure to close any unnecessary background programs (as evident in my video where OBS is running). Alternatively, upgrading to a more capable laptop specifically designed for gaming could potentially resolve these performance issues.
Despite this minor drawback, the overall experience of playing Muse Dash remains enjoyable and entertaining.