Idol singers – Japan’s hordes of manufactured female performers – aren’t a concept really seen in the west, making this colourful Japanese role-playing game centred on them a curious release. But move past the culture shock, and there is a solid entry into the genre here, offering a detailed turn-based combat system and surprisingly fun characters.
In the world of Omega Quintet, a phenomenon dubbed “Blare” threatens humanity’s survival. Only young women capable of channelling music into power can fight back. As Takt, childhood friend of the newest of these “verse maidens”, you serve as manager to the team, equal parts guiding their careers as singers and ensuring they’re ready for battle.
However, the game suffers from an identity crisis. Between conventional role playing, band management, and visual novel moments, it doesn’t seem to know exactly what to be. An ambitious combination but one anime fans will enjoy far more than mainstream gamers.
