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[InternHertz]

This thread isn't really as active as I was hoping it'd be, but you win some you lose some

I was planning on buying it soon-ish but my situation turned bad with financial difficulties du to a parent's death (until I can find a job to sustain my hobby better).
Heavy stuff, but hey at least I have a home, and can pay whatever's needed to live (for the foreseeable future anyway) but I just have to make my already long "to buy" backlog even longer than it was previously. O4A is on that list.

 

[Azure Phoenix]

Catalog 2 DLC is out now, there is a video of Kimi Channel up on NicoNico for anyone undecided. I actually don't like it that much and at 1800 yen it's one of the most expensive DLC songs Namco have ever released, so I ended up not buying it.

So now that this has been out a while, what's the consensus? If I were to only pick up just one, 2 or OFA?

Tough choice. OFA's stage performance mechanics are light years better than Imas 2, but the lack of structure and heavy dumbing down of the actual management aspects mean you basically just do stage performances every week which gets super repetitive.

I would say you should buy Idolmaster 2 if you want the full experience of what the Idolmaster games are like, it has the added bonus of having the most English documentation. If you just want something a bit closer to the anime and don't want any management simulation elements then go for OFA.

 

[perorist]

Does OFA have have any graphical/performance advantages over 2?

Main thing I would regret missing would be M@sterpiece and Dream but I suppose I'd rather play the game than grind it.

 

[Azure Phoenix]

Does OFA have have any graphical/performance advantages over 2?

Main thing I would regret missing would be M@sterpiece and Dream but I suppose I'd rather play the game than grind it.

Nope, Imas 2 looked very nice and ran smoothly to start with so they are both the same in that respect.

Basically they both have their faults. Imas 2 had a lot of fun management aspects, but the way that stage performances functioned there was literally only 2 very specific strategies that worked well (Awanako's amulet for anything other than festivals, Sugamo-chan's amulet for festivals) and a Dance + Hibiki build was clearly better than anything else. Coupled with the fact that paid promotions were generally a better use of a week you find yourself avoiding stage events as much as possible.

OFA doesn't have a clear ending after a set number of weeks, and schedule stuff like lessons and communications no longer take up time slots so you don't have to juggle each week and decide what would be a better use of your time because you can do everything. Because of that and because promotions got heavily nerfed you do stage events every week. That said, the new skill system has meant that pretty much any team and build can be useful and your stage performance tactics will need to vary for every event so they are a lot of fun.

They both turn into grinds after roughly the same amount of time because they both have weaknesses in one aspect of the game. However they are both very enjoyable up until the point where you have every system figured out. I think most people would recommend starting with Imas 2 for a couple of playthroughs, then move to OFA afterwards for the new stage performance stuff. Idolmaster 3 is going to very interesting if they combine the best aspects of both games.

 

[StayDead]

I never really got very far into iM@S2 before OFA came out as I could only play it when I was at my Dads which wasn't very often. I've borrowed his PS3 for now so I can play OFA a lot more, but duje to Uni work and stuff I've not been able to put as much time in as I wanted. I've got a quartet now although until I get to the quin I can't use them all at once.

So far I've got Yukiho/Makoto (Center)/Chihaya as my main three and Takane waiting in the wings swapping out for certain things with Yukiho. Unsure whether to go with Hibiki or Miki for my fifth but until Puchimasu I was more a Miki fan but now I'm entirely conflicted. I've even come to really like Ami/Yayoi/Mami as well and I wasn't a huge fan of them before either.

Speaking of Puchimasu, as it's been going on it's got more and more adorable

Volume 2 of the Bluray is came out on the 25th with this cover:

and vol. 4 of the Twelve Campaigns character CD set came out with these two amazing covers:

The iDOLM@STER series just keeps on giving <3

 

[Azure Phoenix]

Figured this thread deserves reviving due to the deluge of DLC announcements that seem to have taken place over the last few days.

First of all, Catalog 3 out on the 29th:

- 765 Pro goes to the Island of Everlasting Summer - a new story scenario consisting of 4 episodes (must have all 13 idols unlocked to produce first) along with the song Ramune Iro Seishun and a new outfit called Sea Bloom Curtain. New All-Star Live event. Very expensive at 3k yen

- 876 Pro in S4U mode together as a trio singing the song "HELLO!!". 1.2k yen.

- Machiuke Prince, Kami Summer, Nana Iro Button and Postive! as the regular DLC songs. 5.4k yen for all.

- 7 outfits including 4 Extend ones. The new ones are a deep sea themed outfit and a luxury outfit that is each idol's signature colour. Over 6k yen for all.

- 3 accessory packs. A new sea themed one to match the Sea Bloom Curtain outfit, a beach themed one and a pack of the old bonus Imas 2 accessories you'd get for buying an entire catalog. Over 2k yen for all.

By my calculation the whole catalog will run you over 18k yen.


After that, Namco have announced plans for Catalog 4 through 8 (one per month until December) on a live stream. Here's the rundown of what will be available:

- All 12 idols (Ami/Mami seem to be counted as one) are getting brand new SOLO image songs and unique idol exclusive Extend costumes.

- New All-Star Live events, possibly via the 765 Pro story scenarios as Ramune Iro Seishun is getting one.

- Catalog 5 and 7 will also have new 765 Pro story scenarios consisting of 4 episodes each

- Catalog 4, 6 and 8 will each have 4 new idol specific scenarios and you need to beat Idol Extreme with each idol to see their respective new content.

- Miki's new song is called Nostalgia, Chihaya's is called Saihyou, Takane's is called Futatsu no Tsuki and Haruka's is called Suteki Happiness. Clips of all 4 are up on Nico Video. Takane's is ridiculously good, Chihaya's seems very similar to Yakusoku and Aoi Tori.

- Punkish Gothic seems to be making a return. It was a DLC outfit in the 360 version of Imas 2 but stands out as the only bit of DLC that was never released on the PS3 version.

 

[A Huge Battleship]

- Miki's new song is called Nostalgia, Chihaya's is called Saihyou, Takane's is called Futatsu no Tsuki and Haruka's is called Suteki Happiness. Clips of all 4 are up on Nico Video. Takane's is ridiculously good, Chihaya's seems very similar to Yakusoku and Aoi Tori.

YT links so people can see how superior Takane 's song is. Chihaya's is pretty decent too.

Takane's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB8-MSZgEmg
Chihaya's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTOSbjeCfJo
Haruka's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2mRq8iVYYc
Miki's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5qIIoQHzoQ

 

[Skwerl]

YT links so people can see how superior Chihaya 's song is. Takane's is pretty decent too.

Takane's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oB8-MSZgEmg
Chihaya's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTOSbjeCfJo
Haruka's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2mRq8iVYYc
Miki's - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5qIIoQHzoQ

There, I fixed it for you. You're welcome.

 

[Ultimadrago]

Thanks for the update Azure.

Page me when Iori's song preview is up.

 

[G-Fex]

I like Hanbaga or bust

 

[StayDead]

So they've released the first poster style image for the Cindarella Girls anime.

oh god the cute

 

[A Huge Battleship]

So they've released the first poster style image for the Cindarella Girls anime.

oh god the cute

Actually that's the third (Passion) of the 'type' key visuals. The Cute and Cool ones were put up on the website previously:

 

[Ultimadrago]

Here's to hoping the anime's good.

Give me my ¡Anzu, Koume and Naooooo! The three best are all here, baby.

 

[Azure Phoenix]

Unsurprisingly all the best Cinderella Girls are in the Cool artwork (Kaede, Ranko, Rin, Anastasia). I'm still concerned how this anime will turn out considering just how many CG idols they need to give screen time to, it could so easily feel really rushed or focus far too much on a few key idols leaving the others with little screentime.

 

[BGBW]

I made a list of Cinderella Girls I wanted to see and not a single one got chosen.

I think I may have to take A-1 Pictures to court over this…

 

[Ultimadrago]

I'm still concerned how this anime will turn out considering just how many CG idols they need to give screen time to, it could so easily feel really rushed or focus far too much on a few key idols leaving the others with little screentime.

I forgot if I posted it somewhere on GAF or not, but that's also my caveat with having too many high hopes for it. On the other hand, the original Idolm@ster anime could have easily been dragged down by poor pacing despite being two cour, but it ended up alright.

So in the end, I have reservations, but am not all that concerned. It'd likely have to take a massacre in terms of character-focused developments and/or focus on characters I really don't like (both entirely possible) for me to actively dislike it.

I made a list of Cinderella Girls I wanted to see and not a single one got chosen.

I think I may have to take A-1 Pictures to court over this…

Oy! Oy! Hope you'd have a strong case prepared!

 

[A Huge Battleship]

Unsurprisingly all the best Cinderella Girls are in the Cool artwork (Kaede, Ranko, Rin, Anastasia). I'm still concerned how this anime will turn out considering just how many CG idols they need to give screen time to, it could so easily feel really rushed or focus far too much on a few key idols leaving the others with little screentime.

Nah, there's a decent spread of best girls. Cool has Koume / Ranko, Cute has Mayu / Sachiko, Passion has Syoko. The main trio will inevitably be the primary focus, with the rest maybe getting / sharing their own episodes (but not much beyond that).

I made a list of Cinderella Girls I wanted to see and not a single one got chosen.

I think I may have to take A-1 Pictures to court over this…

What're you seeking as compensation? Better taste?

Spoiler

 

[Aizo]

I've never played any idolm@ster games, but I'm thinking of picking this up before I leave Japan (been here for about a year, and leaving in a month and a half). Is the game pretty intuitive, or will I be pretty confused?

 

[Rhapsody]

I've never played any idolm@ster games, but I'm thinking of picking this up before I leave Japan (been here for about a year, and leaving in a month and a half). Is the game pretty intuitive, or will I be pretty confused?

It's pretty intuitive. This game simplified a lot of stuff so you won't have a lot of problems advancing.
2nd game is a lot more deep but there's a lot of translated resources which makes things easier.

I think you'll do fine on this game if you know the basics.

 

[Aizo]

Thanks for the reply. I'll think it over while I stare at my bank account.

 

[Aizo]

One more question about this game: how long does it take to "beat" it?

 

[DiGiKerot]

One more question about this game: how long does it take to "beat" it?

To get all your idols up to A1+IE rank, which would probably also mean getting all the trophies unlocked...maybe somewhere in the 35 to 45 hour mark?

 

[Aizo]

To get all your idols up to A1+IE rank, which would probably also mean getting all the trophies unlocked...maybe somewhere in the 35 to 45 hour mark?

Sounds perfect! Thank you!

 

[Ultimadrago]

I want another Danketsu.

 

[StayDead]

We've got a trailer for DLC 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpnwKKuyxyo

Sadly I had to give my Dads PS3 back so I can't play this for a while ;_;

 

[pikmin_trainer]

I would get the DLC but I spent all my money on the Produce Box.

I like my calendar.

 

[DiGiKerot]

We've got a trailer for DLC 4.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpnwKKuyxyo

Sadly I had to give my Dads PS3 back so I can't play this for a while ;_;

That's just the scenario part of the DLC catalogue - there's a longer version of the PV which includes the new songs, costumes, and Anzu as well...

 

[Ultimadrago]

Best Cinderella Anzu?!

Yeeees!

 

[StayDead]

That's just the scenario part of the DLC catalogue - there's a longer version of the PV which includes the new songs, costumes, and Anzu as well...

I missed that o_o

based Anzu!

 

[Rhapsody]

BTW, did catalog 3 DLC add a Cinderella Girl?

 

[DiGiKerot]

BTW, did catalog 3 DLC add a Cinderella Girl?

Catalogue 3 had the three Dearly Stars doing a trio performance of Hello!

 

[Azure Phoenix]

Okay, here are all the new solo songs available in Catalog 4. You can buy the idol's story routes in packs of 4/5 (3 packs) or all 13 together for 5k yen. To unlock the song for each idol you need to beat IE with them, then clear the 3 solo stage events (1 Live, 1 Fes, 1 Audition) in the DLC events tab. They are brutally difficult and you won't have a chance until at least level 25 with 3 memory - idols without score increase bursts like Takane, Azusa and Iori need to be even higher. After clearing the first solo you also unlock the S3 rank-up festival for an idol, clearing that unlocks S rank skills for each idol - again, brutally difficult and you need to be like level 28+ with your 3 best idols.

Suteki Happiness - &#12473;&#12486;&#12461;&#12495;&#12500;&#12493;&#12473; - Haruka
Watashi Datte Onnanoko - &#31169;&#12384;&#12387;&#12390;&#22899;&#12398;&#23376; - Ritsuko
Triple Angel - &#12488;&#12522;&#12503;&#12523;Angel - Ami
Houkago Jump - &#25918;&#35506;&#24460;&#12472;&#12515;&#12531;&#12503; - Mami
Futatsu no Tsuki - &#12405;&#12383;&#12388;&#12398;&#26376; - Takane
Saihyou - &#32048;&#27703; - Chihaya
Pure&#12539;Sonic&#12539;Love! - &#12503;&#12521;&#12539;&#12477;&#12491;&#12483;&#12463;&#12539;&#12521;&#12502;&#65281;- Yayoi
Zenryouku Idol - &#20840;&#21147;&#12450;&#12452;&#12489;&#12523; - Iori
Pon De Beach - Hibiki
Ano Hi no Namida - &#12354;&#12398;&#26085;&#12398;&#12490;&#12511;&#12480; - Yukiho
Koi&#12539;Kokoro - &#12467;&#12452;&#12539;&#12467;&#12467;&#12525; - Azusa
Zekken, Arui wa Nigerarenu Koi - &#32118;&#38522;&#12289;&#12354;&#12427;&#12356;&#12399;&#36867;&#12370;&#12425;&#12428;&#12396;&#24651; - Makoto
Nostalgia - Miki

Personally I like them all, but Makoto and Yukiho's are real highlights. Azusa, Takane, Ami and Mami's are seriously good too.

 

[StayDead]

It's Makoto's birthday today and what a glorious day it has been.

Happy birthday my love <3

 

[m0t0k1]

Okay, here are all the new solo songs available in Catalog 4. You can buy the idol's story routes in packs of 4/5 (3 packs) or all 13 together for 5k yen. To unlock the song for each idol you need to beat IE with them, then clear the 3 solo stage events (1 Live, 1 Fes, 1 Audition) in the DLC events tab. They are brutally difficult and you won't have a chance until at least level 25 with 3 memory - idols without score increase bursts like Takane, Azusa and Iori need to be even higher. After clearing the first solo you also unlock the S3 rank-up festival for an idol, clearing that unlocks S rank skills for each idol - again, brutally difficult and you need to be like level 28+ with your 3 best idols.

Suteki Happiness - &#12473;&#12486;&#12461;&#12495;&#12500;&#12493;&#12473; - Haruka
Watashi Datte Onnanoko - &#31169;&#12384;&#12387;&#12390;&#22899;&#12398;&#23376; - Ritsuko
Triple Angel - &#12488;&#12522;&#12503;&#12523;Angel - Ami
Houkago Jump - &#25918;&#35506;&#24460;&#12472;&#12515;&#12531;&#12503; - Mami
Futatsu no Tsuki - &#12405;&#12383;&#12388;&#12398;&#26376; - Takane
Saihyou - &#32048;&#27703; - Chihaya
Pure&#12539;Sonic&#12539;Love! - &#12503;&#12521;&#12539;&#12477;&#12491;&#12483;&#12463;&#12539;&#12521;&#12502;&#65281;- Yayoi
Zenryouku Idol - &#20840;&#21147;&#12450;&#12452;&#12489;&#12523; - Iori
Pon De Beach - Hibiki
Ano Hi no Namida - &#12354;&#12398;&#26085;&#12398;&#12490;&#12511;&#12480; - Yukiho
Koi&#12539;Kokoro - &#12467;&#12452;&#12539;&#12467;&#12467;&#12525; - Azusa
Zekken, Arui wa Nigerarenu Koi - &#32118;&#38522;&#12289;&#12354;&#12427;&#12356;&#12399;&#36867;&#12370;&#12425;&#12428;&#12396;&#24651; - Makoto
Nostalgia - Miki

Personally I like them all, but Makoto and Yukiho's are real highlights. Azusa, Takane, Ami and Mami's are seriously good too.

Miki is my favorite closely followed by Hibiki/Takane and Haruka. Also Japan already had her birthday. I gave makoto a present in million live already

 

[Ultimadrago]

Zenryouku Idol - &#20840;&#21147;&#12450;&#12452;&#12489;&#12523; - Iori

Thanks, I'll be taking that~

 

[StayDead]

Zekken, Arui wa Nigerarenu Koi - &#32118;&#38522;&#12289;&#12354;&#12427;&#12356;&#12399;&#36867;&#12370;&#12425;&#12428;&#12396;&#24651; - Makoto

Personally I like them all, but Makoto and Yukiho's are real highlights. Azusa, Takane, Ami and Mami's are seriously good too.

Looks like I have another video to watch if I ever feel down. Makoto's solo Megare was one before, but this is an amazing song <3

 

[Hugstable]

It's Makoto's birthday today and what a glorious day it has been.

Happy birthday my love <3

Happy Birthday Mokoto!

 

[m0t0k1]

Happy Birthday Mokoto!

It had to be done huggy

Happy party time makoto

 

[StayDead]

Cindarella Girls anime has it's first PV. Looking good <3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9wR6khkTxA

 

[StayDead]

It's been a while and apologies for the double post but we've got details for the next DLC catalog and it has some free Christmas accesories up until the 9th December!

http://dengekionline.com/elem/000/000/962/962586/

 

[Vylash]

making this the official imas thread

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u3jqcdrapg

new PV, i'm prematurely declaring Mio as best

 

[Ultimadrago]

making this the official imas thread

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showpost.php?p=144785941&postcount=605

new PV, i'm prematurely declaring Mio as best

Fusebox is the PV?

 

[Vylash]

Fusebox is the PV?

 

[Rainy]

I actually just started watching the Idolm@ster anime a week or two ago and really love it. Looking forward to this new cast of characters in this upcoming anime too! (So this is essentially the idolm@ster ot right?)

 

[BGBW]

I actually just started watching the Idolm@ster anime a week or two ago and really love it. Looking forward to this new cast of characters in this upcoming anime too! (So this is essentially the idolm@ster ot right?)

I'd say with the upcoming Cindy Gals anime it would be a better time to try and attract the iM@S community since this thread has been probably forgotten by many now. If the OT for that show manages to last the full 200 pages the next thread can be renamed to a more general iM@S thread.

 

[Vylash]

I'd say with the upcoming Cindy Gals anime it would be a better time to try and attract the iM@S community since this thread has been probably forgotten by many now. If the OT for that show manages to last the full 200 pages the next thread can be renamed to a more general iM@S thread.

so I should just go make an imas community thread or something?

 

[m0t0k1]

I'd say with the upcoming Cindy Gals anime it would be a better time to try and attract the iM@S community since this thread has been probably forgotten by many now. If the OT for that show manages to last the full 200 pages the next thread can be renamed to a more general iM@S thread.

Dunno how i should feel about Cinderella girls. I am going to watch it but i was not a big fan off the game or the design of the girls except of a few. They are just too many girls to keep track off. That will be number cut for the anime of course.

Speaking about the game On January the 29th a The best version of One for All will release. It will be about 3000 yen so around $27 so if you want to check out this really good game i say wait a bit.

 

[StayDead]

so I should just go make an imas community thread or something?

I initially started this in the hope it'd become it, but it never did. Maybe it'll do better in off topic when Cindarella Girls comes out. Hopefully you'll allow me to make the thread, but I don't mind.

 

[Vylash]

I initially started this in the hope it'd become it, but it never did. Maybe it'll do better in off topic when Cindarella Girls comes out. Hopefully you'll allow me to make the thread, but I don't mind.

go ahead, less work for me

 

[m0t0k1]

I initially started this in the hope it'd become it, but it never did. Maybe it'll do better in off topic when Cindarella Girls comes out. Hopefully you'll allow me to make the thread, but I don't mind.

If you want to make one I think it should be more of an Community thread then instead of an Cinderella girls thread. Most threads try to stay on topic. For example if i open. a Persona 4 golden OT people will talk about Persona 4 golden mostly. But the Persona community thread gets way more comments. because they can talk about anything. I also think the bridge for this thread is too high for most Gaf users because 1. You need to import an game. 2. You need to understand a bit of Japanese. 3. You need to know the background of the girls a bit. That is the difference with the LL thread. Because it was english, it's free it launched about the same time the anime aired so it got a bit more popularity. So people could get in way more easily then this thread. So i think it should be more open to different sides of the Im@s fanbase. I play million live a lot but i don't feel i can talk about that when the main focus is gonna be the CG girls. You can only make the thread if you go back to your Makoto ava /Kappa

edit: i also think im@s focus should always be the games since the characters tended to be different in the Anime compared to the games :lol