Publisher: Pentavision, Neowiz

Developer: Pentavision, Neowiz

Release Date: 12/4/2012

Available Exclusively On

DJ Max was the best rhythm franchise on PSP and helps jump-start that genre on Vita. Technika is a reboot in a way but still feels familiar. The game uses the touchscreen and rear pad exclusively ditching the button interface. This may take a while to get used to for DJ Max PSP vets like myself, but after a while, you will see the difference in challenge and pace when playing.

One thing I did notice right off the game is the continued lack of multiplayer and modes. There is Star Mixing (3 songs using the touch screen), Pop Mixing (4 songs using front and rear), Club Mixing (a choice of genres), and Freestyle. There’s the usual album that shows your wallpapers and unlocked videos but that’s it. Why Pentavision insists on having no multiplayer is a mystery, but I’d like to have it in future installments. Thankfully the game is packed full of songs featuring both licensed and original music from J and K pop to rock. Kara is a huge appearance in the game since they are one of the biggest female KPop groups in Korea. They have 5 songs on here and they are fantastic, I actually listen to them outside of the game now.

The songs still feature various DJs and mixing masters from previous games like ND Lee, NieN, and vocals by So Fly and various other Korean singers and rappers. Getting into the gameplay, videos are now played full screen in the background and look gorgeous on the Vita’s screen. Colorful dots are displayed and you must tap them to get Max 100% with the timing of the beat but there are long strands you have to hold down and follow the bar along with the screen. The playfield is split horizontally into two sections and you will be going back and forth between them. Some notes require quick flicking of the touch screen as well and it all adds up to the tense fun. The rear touchpad notes look different with purple and black borders around their notes requiring you to tap and hold. After a few hours, you will get used to the system and slowly increase your difficulty.

As you level up you will unlock equipment that gives you passive abilities like extra XP gain, HP, and even free breaks. There’s also an option to add a modifier to increase the speed of the notes coming in which is sadistic but it’s there. Even after playing for a good 10 hours I’m still unlocking stuff and increasing my score. The songs are so great and fun to listen to that I can’t get enough of the game. If you loved previous games you must get this, anyone, who hasn’t should jump in any way. Technika Tune is the best rhythm game on Vita right now and hopefully, future installments will improve upon the franchise further.