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The iDOLM@STER: Stella Stage Review

By: RJ (@rga_02)

• The iDOLM@STER: Stella Stage
  
• Publisher - Bandai Namco
  
• Developer - Bandai Namco
  
• PlayStation 4
  
• Rating - CERO B
  

There is a line from my favorite iDOLM@STER song – Jibun REST@RT – that goes, “May this moment when everything is rewarded never end,” and that line has never been so applicable to the series than the latest entry, Stella Stage.

Like with all games prior, you are a producer for 765 productions, a talent agency overseeing 13 girls and help them reach their full potential. You start by picking an idol of your choice (I recommend Miki) and help guide her to eternal stardom. Eventually, you get to manage all 13 idols as you progress through the game.

Like Platinum Stars prior, Stella Stage offers freedom not found in older mainline games. You are free to manage your group of idols as you see fit, ranging from mini-games such as helping your idols with makeup to increase your idols’ stats to taking her out to relieve her of stress. Regardless of the order, your idol will gradually level up with experience which translates to a better performance up on stage.

Prior to sending up your idols to shine on stage, you have the option of grouping them up or not. There is solo, duo, trio, quintet, all-stars, and medleys. You then chose the song(s), their outfit and you are ready to go.

The rhythm section of the game is straightforward. Notes falls across the screen and you simply press the corresponding button as they line up with the circle. Apart from some disorienting moments in master mode, literally anyone can play this in any difficulty. If you’ve played games such as IA/VT, Hatsune Miku then you should be able to breeze through this.

Once you complete a song you acquire some goodies ranging from power-ups for your accessories and dresses to coaching points. But what are coaching points?

There is a new mode in Stella Stage where you can use your coaching points (CP) to help further the growth of your idols. Think of it as a giant game board where you move your idols around and activate the platform that they are on using your CP. These platforms contain skillsets, dresses, accessories, and songs.  The skillsets that are found on the board are essential. For example, if you have Haruka roaming around the duo section of the board and you’ve activated some of the platforms, she will have those padded stats available for her if you have her be the leader of a duo group.  

Speaking of groups, there is a rival group in this game. Those heathens over at 961 productions have a new idol at their helm named Shika. You encounter her as you progress throughout the game, so unlike Platinum Stars, there is some plot in this game although it’s not as compelling as you would hope it to be which is a shame.

There is so much attention to detail in this game such as the holographic patterns on dresses or the color-coordinated dresses. There are also a lot of cute cutscenes presented throughout the game such as Makato catching Haruka as she trips or Hibiki helping Yukiho with her dog fears. Things like this give the game a comfortable vibe that will have you smiling throughout your experience.

Stella Stage is the most rewarding experience that you can find in an iDOLM@STER game to date. Regardless of the eventual grind, you will encounter, you will never feel frustrated at any moment because you are constantly rewarded for your efforts. One of the main critiques of Platinum Stars that it felt like a glorified gacha game at some parts and Stella Stage fixes all of that. This game as a whole is a complete package that doesn’t feel like it is missing or hiding anything from you. Sure there might be some DLC later down in the line, but you can go through this whole game without giving spending a dime. This is what an iDOLM@STER game should be and feel like. It’s a game that doesn’t feel like you need to spend your rent money on acquiring .jpgs or dozens of costume DLCs. You won’t feel the dissatisfaction of not getting that SSR or the frustration that your favorite song is behind a paywall.

I hope Namco can take this formula and implement it with the spinoffs. Because who doesn’t want to see the girls of 346 productions such as Ranko shine brightly as their 765 counterparts?

I highly recommend this game to anyone in the fanbase. If you are looking to get into the fandom itself, there is no other better game out there. Sure games such as Starlight Stage and Theater Days might be more accessible to you, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you are going to skip out on a fully fledge iDOLM@STER game. The entry barrier might be high for some, but the end result is pure satisfaction.

Stella Stage is iDOLM@STER’s M@STERPIECE.