The Set-Up

Back in the days of the DS, I bought only a scant few import titles for the platform despite its lack of a region lock. Specifically, the Ouendan games. And I've already written about those. Unfortunately, the 3DS isn't as open as its predecessor, which means that if I wanted to play a game for it from another region, it means either finding some way to mod my North American unit or buy a Japanese model. I went with the latter option and bought a secondhand Japanese 3DS from a local retro/import game shop. (Pink Gorilla Games. They're pretty awesome. If you're ever in Seattle, look them up!)

So why did I buy a Japanese 3DS? Well...

The Reason

I really wanted to play Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai 2. (The notebook underneath the game case actually came with the edition of the game I bought off Amazon, amusingly enough.) Was it worth it? Oh hell, yes, it was worth it!

The Game

Project Mirai 2 actually stands out a bit from other rhythm games for the simple fact that it offers more than one rhythm play style. It's an unusual touch for any game in the genre that isn't based on the use of plastic instruments. The original game (which I didn't play) was based entirely on button input, but for the sequel, they went back, added in a touchscreen-based rhythm mode, and then completely redid the button-based mechanics of the original mode for good measure. Add in the fact that both modes have three difficulties each for all forty-seven songs, and wow that is a lot of rhythm.

As far as challenge goes, touch mode is definitely easier than using the buttons, and while challenge will vary depending on experience and skill, the lower difficulties have yet to prove too demanding. The hardest button mode, oh wow. That's going to take some practice.

Also, there is an unlockable version of Puyo Puyo in the game. Also, as someone that has never played much Puyo Puyo, I'd say that it's a fair version of the game. The AI is at least easier to deal with than it was in Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine. But no matter how well I do in the first few stages, I get to MEIKO and she just annihilates me with godlike Puyo power.

Is it Import Friendly?

Yes. Like the Ouendan series, knowledge of Japanese is not a requirement to play the game, though there is some side content such as a dance hall and some other extraneous features that will be more difficult to get your head around. I've had the game for only a few days and there are a couple of features that I'm still prodding at to see if I can use them properly without having to search for online help. That aside, the base rhythm mode is absolutely easy to get into with plenty of helpful graphic prompts right where they're needed.

Is it Worth Buying the Original Project Mirai?

Actually, it's safe to skip. Not because the mechanics are inferior; I'm not in a position to judge that. However, because the mechanics in the sequel are so different, they brought back the whole slate of songs from the original to take advantage of them, which is a little less than half of the total roster.

Any Favorite Songs?

The song selection in Mirai 2 is actually, really, really strong. It has it's share of light and fluffy, including a song devoted describing the recipe for a Clover Club:

Or a little kung fu and Chinese language lesson in Yi Er Fan Club:

And songs that tell stories, like Kokoro (Heart):

And for those that played Project Diva F, a few songs that appeared in that game, like Senbonzakura, also appear in this game:

So it's a pretty diverse game in its song selection, though it leans more heavily toward Miku's songs than those of other Vocaloids. (Poor KAITO only has one solo in the whole game.) If Japanese Vocaloid music is your thing, you're very likely to have some favorites among the list.

Unfortunately, it being an import-only title does make it less than easy for a lot of people to get just because of the extra costs involved. But hopefully Project Diva F is doing well enough for Sega to get them to consider localizing it along with Project Diva F 2nd. Time will have to tell on that, though. For now, the extra costs were well worth it. Project Mirai 2 is a blast, I have a Japanese 3DS for other import titles, and this particular secondhand unit just happened to come with the Virtual Console version of the original Fire Emblem installed on it. Hmm...

As long as the songs are good, then that's great. But honestly, you should have gotten Slime Mori Mori Dragon Quest 3 instead.

@crithon: I might look into picking that up at some point. It's a shame it wasn't localized, though. I could use more amazing slime-based puns in my life.

Well they are just collect a bunch of junk you find in a map to then later shoot at other enemies. Like that's probably the best gameplay design for a game ever.

But yeah, kinda surprised Hatune Miku didn't have touch screen controls, is that good or bad for you?

@crithon: Oh, the first Mirai didn't have touch gameplay. The sequel does.

The game only has a save function for when you lose. And it's not a battery back-up. You sure you want to do this?

That's what Virtual Console save states are for.

@hailinel: So are you going to go import crazy with a japanese 3ds? I'd have gotten Bravely Default and Monster Hunter 4 if I could have.

I'll likely get some other import titles to play on it, but Bravely Default and Monster Hunter 4 aren't among the games I'd consider at this point because both are being released domestically. Heck, I already have the localized Bravely Default on preorder.

So jelly. I really want to check out Marai 2 but it would cost so much goddamn money for me to get to that point. The chibi versions of the characters are illegal amounts of cute.