If there's one way to start off my game reviews, it's by talking about a game I absolutely adore! As someone who enjoys exploring different gaming styles, I aim to review games based on whether they cater to both casual and hardcore players. Today, I want to share my thoughts on Idol Party, a rhythm game that has captured my attention with its unique blend of music, customization, and social elements.
⋆˚࿔ A New Home on Steam ⋆˚࿔
Originally, Idol Party was available only on mobile app stores. However, as of August 15, 2024, the game made its way to Steam, broadening its accessibility. Mobile users can still find it under the name Magic Star (available here for Apple users).
⋆˚࿔ Discovery and First Impressions ⋆˚࿔
I stumbled upon Idol Party in late September while searching for one of my favorite high school games, Audition. Unfortunately, that game was no longer available, but I was intrigued by Idol Party’s aesthetic and game play. Much like Audition, Idol Party goes beyond just playing songs; it also allows players to build friendships, decorate a home, get married, and engage in a variety of social activities.
⋆˚࿔ Graphics & Aesthetics ⋆˚࿔
The graphics in Idol Party are smooth and visually appealing. One of the standout details is that many of the songs have their own unique dances programmed, adding an extra layer of immersion. The game's color palette leans toward softer hues, even when incorporating darker colors, giving it a dreamy, almost ethereal aesthetic. It reminds me of early 2000s Doll Maker websites, where players could create unique avatars with different styles. The variety of customization ensures that everyone can find a look they love!
⋆˚࿔ Music & Song Selection ⋆˚࿔
There are so many songs to choose from, and the selection is constantly being updated! Most of the tracks fall into the main categories: Western pop, Kpop and anime songs. However, I’ve also discovered some of my new favorite songs in Chinese and Indonesian, which has been an unexpected but welcome surprise.
One of the unique aspects of unlocking songs is that you gain access to more as you level up and play with new people. This means that playing with others is essential if you want to expand your personal library of available tracks. The variety of genres is vast, ensuring that there’s something for everyone!
⋆˚࿔ Free-to-Play with Generous Rewards ⋆˚࿔
One of the standout features of Idol Party is that it’s completely free-to-play, with optional cosmetic purchases. Unlike many games that rely on micro transactions to progress, Idol Party does not have a pay-to-win system. Instead, the game is incredibly generous with free cosmetic items through daily events. Additionally, players can earn in-game currency (diamonds) by completing milestones, some of which reset monthly, making premium content more accessible.
⋆˚࿔ Rhythm Game play: Multiple Play styles & Customization ⋆˚࿔
A major highlight of Idol Party is its diverse rhythm game-play. Players can choose from several play styles:
Tempo (the most common and widely played mode)
Bubble
Classic
Traditional
A story mode is also available, challenging players to improve their skills while climbing the ranks in the Idol world.
The game further allows speed customization for each song. For example:
Lower speeds (e.g., x1): More notes appear, but the pace is slower.
Higher speeds (e.g., x4 and above): Fewer notes, but the game moves significantly faster, making combo hits more challenging.
Personally, x4 speed is my sweet spot, but I enjoy pushing my limits with faster speeds and higher difficulties. This flexible system enables players of all skill levels to enjoy the game together. However, if you prefer lower difficulty levels, it's best to create your own room rather than joining a public one, as difficulty settings cannot be adjusted in multiplayer rooms.
⋆˚࿔ Ranked Mode & Matchmaking Issues ⋆˚࿔
For those seeking an extra challenge, the game offers a ranked mode. However, this is where one of the game’s biggest drawbacks appears: the queue system. Since matchmaking depends on other players queuing simultaneously, wait times can be excessively long. My personal record? 60 minutes before giving up.
This issue also extends to mini-games in Park Mode, where certain activities remain largely unplayable due to a lack of players in the queue.
⋆˚࿔ Community & Social Features ⋆˚࿔
Most of the time, other players in Idol Party are incredibly helpful if you simply ask them for assistance! Whether it's answering basic questions or helping to complete tasks required to progress, the community tends to be welcoming. In Story Mode, there are moments where you must win first place in a song to move forward. This can be discouraging for newer players, especially when matched against higher-skilled players.
At first, I was shy about asking for help—past experiences in other games made me hesitant. Instead, I took a more... creative approach by convincing my husband to make an account and play multiplayer activities with me so I could guarantee a win (haha!). However, after spending more time in the game, I’ve realized that most people don’t mind helping at all!
The game also offers guilds, allowing players to join a community, make friends, and find support. While Idol Party lets you accomplish a lot on your own, some quests require at least one other person—whether from your Love Tree (relationship system), friends list, or guild—to complete certain tasks.
⋆˚࿔ Performance & Optimization ⋆˚࿔
The game runs smoothly for me, and it provides customizable settings that allow players to adjust graphics quality based on their system’s capabilities. One particularly helpful feature is the ability to switch between 2D and 3D modes while playing songs. This can be a game-changer for lower-end devices, as 2D mode significantly reduces the load on your system.
⋆˚࿔ Future Updates & Developer Support ⋆˚࿔
The developers of Idol Party appear to be very active, frequently adding new songs and content—almost on a bi-weekly basis! There are always fresh events and activities that allow players to earn diamonds, cosmetics, and other rewards.
⋆˚࿔ Final Thoughts ⋆˚࿔
Despite its matchmaking issues, Idol Party is an incredibly enjoyable rhythm game that offers plenty of depth, customization, and social interaction. There is something for everyone, with challenges available for all skill levels. Whether you’re a casual player looking for fun or a hardcore rhythm gamer seeking a challenge, I would definitely recommend giving Idol Party a try!
*All information provided in this article is up to date and current as of March, 2nd 2025*
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