Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX (Hands-On) (Nintendo 3DS) Preview

Most people with even a passing familiarity of Vocaloids are going to associate them with music, but the rhythm game is only one facet of Project Mirai DX. The core is actually a life simulation project; players will pick one of six Vocaloid partners (Miku, Rin, Len, Luka, Kaito, or Meiko), set them up in one of many themed rooms, and then watch the chibi character wander around and interact with the environment. Both the partner and the room are customisable; outfits and home decorations can be purchased via in-game money earned from playing the rhythm section, and the partner and room can be switched out at any time.

Music and sound permeate from just about every part of the experience, for example, in "hang out mode" where time can be spent with the Vocaloid partner, pressing Y activates the 3DS' microphone, and players can speak voice commands like "Come here!" or "Dance!" The background music can also be selected, randomised, and assorted into different playlists. Also present in hang out mode is the ability to move the camera around via the control stick, and a handy camera button will snap a photo. This is where Vocaloids can be given snacks, a spending allowance (which they will use to buy things), and play a reversi-inspired mini-game called Mikuversi.

Another mini-game, PuyoPuyo, is also present, but when all this isn't enough, it's time to hit the town. Going outside brings up a sub-menu featuring a shop, theatre, AR card menu, dance studio (where players can create their own dances from pre-recorded pieces), or change their Vocaloid's room.

The aforementioned rhythm game is the second-biggest part of Project Mirai DX. Here Vocaloids will do what they do best: sing and dance. A long menu of songs appears, and playing them will reward money, as well as unlock new songs and more difficult versions of the current one. The rhythm element can be played in tap or button mode; one involves tapping, holding, and spinning the on-screen cues, while the other involves pressing the 3DS' face buttons, all in time to the beat of the song. Here fans will probably notice one of the most annoying features, though: successfully keeping time will result in a sound effect chiming and, by default, it's much louder than the song being played along to, resulting in what can only be referred to as a racket. Fortunately, the volume of these taps (as well as the sounds they make and the colour of their UI prompts) can be customised in the full product.