Sandbox-9
Contents |
Introduction
I've never played this "Ouendan" thing - what is it?
Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan is a rhythm game for the Nintendo DS. The gameplay consists of only three elements: tapping circles on the touchscreen, dragging a ball across a fixed path and rotating a spinner very fast. All these elements are timed to (covers of) popular Japanese songs. It looks like this on the DS:
You can see the circles on the bottom screen, and on the top screen you have the story. Each stage is basically a self-contained story about a person in trouble. That's where the Ouendan (Cheer squad) comes in. Through the magical power of male cheer-leading, you have to help the people in trouble.
How do I play?
- Full explanation: osu! Standard
While most PC users won't have a touchscreen at their disposal, this game is made to be playable with a normal mouse, as well as any number of input devices you can possibly think of. Different play styles can be found in the Play Styles page. There are some songs which push the limits of the normal mouse (and you), but all the (ranked and approved) beatmaps have been tested and (most can be) passable using only a mouse.
Game-play Basics
Tutorial: (Bundled with PC osu!) Original tutorial, Ranked beatmap version
The game-play put emphasis on your:-
- Adaptability and reaction to stimuli (that is, the hit-able objects appearing all over the screen at lighting speed)
- Understanding of the song beat and design.
- Your control of your mouse (or your fingers/pen-poking skills if you are using a tablet instead)
- Timing of your hits on the object that appeared on the screen.
- Ability to spin the mouse (or your finger/pen for tablet) in circles.
- Your physical stamina (especially marathon songs).
- Proper mouse positioning and hand-eye coordination.
These are some of the vital skills you will learn as you progress your journey on becoming an osu! rhythm master. Before you set out to become a rhythm master, you must learn the basics (and theories) of the hit-able objects.
Let's learn about what the hit-able objects are shall we?
Hit-circles
- Here you can see the circles you have to tap.
- The smaller coloured circle on the outside shrinks and you have to hit the note at the exact point the outside circle overlaps with the white border.
- To understand the hidden charm of hit-circles, you should not only rely on your perception (your eyes) but also the understanding of the beatmaps beats and rhythm by your ears (auditory).
Sliders
- Here we have a slider.
- First, you have to hit it at the right moment, but it doesn't end there.
- A ball will start to move across the path you see.
- You have to hold the mouse-button (or your finger/pen on the tablet) and keep your pointer on the ball as it moves
- You cannot control the movement, and you must follow its movement.
- Sometimes, as in the screenshot above, you have to move back at the end of the path.
- You can tell by the reverse symbol at the end of the path.
Spinners
- This is a spinner.
- You have to click and hold the mouse, and spin (clockwise or counter-clockwise) like mad before the time (which is, that blue circle line) runs out.
- The bars on the outside indicate how close you are to passing.
- You have to click and hold the mouse, and spin (clockwise or counter-clockwise) like mad before the time (which is, that blue circle line) runs out.
- On the DS, these are a good way to scratch your touchscreen (or screen protectors), especially on the higher difficulties.
- In osu!, spinners have been toned down as to not be such a nuisance to complete.
- The maximum number of spins per minute achievable is 477 which is also the rate at which the Auto game modifier spins while the Spun Out game modifier spins slower at 287 spins per minute.
- While holding a mouse button on a spinner, your mouse is locked into the spin area, so you can go crazy, or just spin in very small circles (like the Auto does but it will put a strain in your arm if you are not used to it)
In-Game Interface
This is the osu! game style interface.
- The top left bar is your "health".
- This will decrease at a steady rate [depending on the beatmap difficulty set by the mapper(s)], but you can replenish it by hitting notes at the right time.
- A perfectly timed hit (300 hit or Geki Beat) will increase your health more than a badly timed hit (50 hit).
- A total miss will take a good chunk out of your health.
- Next to the health bar (at the right) is your score.
- Below the score is your accuracy.
- The circle beside your accuracy and below your score is a timer bar, which shows the song length.
- The number on the bottom left is the combo counter/score multiplier.
Alternative Game Modes
What is "Taiko"?
- Full explanation: Taiko
For those of you who are not familiar, Taiko no Tatsujin is a Taiko Drum rhythm game made by Namco, that involves the simulation of playing the drums to the beat of the music. In osu!, beatmaps can be played in the styling of Taiko no Tatsujin through use of the special Taiko game mode.
Like basic osu!, there are three elements of gameplay.
Basic explanation
Hit-circles
- This will appear as either a red or a pale-blue circle. They are named as red (Don) notes and blue (Katu) notes.
- If it is a small red note, you must press the button bound to the inner portion of the Taiko drum or hit the large flat area (center) of the TaTaCon.
- If it is a small blue note, you must press the button bound to the outer ring of the Taiko drum or hit the sides of the TaTaCon.
- If the note is a LARGE circle, you should press or hit both of either inner or outer drum depending on the colour of the note for additional points.
- The notes must be pressed or hit when they reach the small white circle next to the drum below the status bar on the play-field.
Hit balloons
- They are deciphered as normal small red notes but with a inflatable balloon behind it.
- You should hit the inner drum continuously until the hit counter reaches zero.
- You gain points for each hit and bonus points for popping the balloon.
Drum rolls
- Drum rolls appears as yellow bar in the play-field.
- You should hit the inner (or outer) drum continuously until it is done.
- For LARGE note, you should hit the inner (or outer) drum simultaneously and continuously until it is done.
- You gain points for each successful hits.
- You can choose ignore it at the cost of your possible points gain from the drum roll.
- You should hit the inner (or outer) drum continuously until it is done.
Dendens
- These appear as spinners, with a countdown displaying the time you have remaining to clear it.
- You must hit the inner and outer drum in order (like red,red, blue,blue, red,red, and so on) until the Denden meter is full.
- Bonus points is given for extra hits after completing the Denden.
Controls
The default controls for the Taiko mod are:-
Red: [Mouse] Left click, [Keyboard] [X] or [C], [TaTaCon] Flat surface of the drum. Blue: [Mouse] Right click, [Keyboard] [Z] or [V], [TaTaCon] Outer surface of the drum. osu! cursor placement does not matter when playing.
You may configure the keyboard buttons as you see fit, from the Input tab in the Options menu.
What is "Catch the Beat"?
- Full explanation: Catch the Beat
- Catch the Beat is the second special game mode to be added in, after Taiko game mode.
- Instead of clicking circles, you are now tasked to move the catcher at the bottom of the screen while the fruits fall from above.
Controlling the catcher
If the Relax mod is used, control of the catcher is done by moving the mouse instead.
- By default, the left [<-] and right [->] arrow keys are used to move the catcher.
- Pressing the left [SHIFT] key with one of the arrow keys will make the catcher dash in that direction at x1.5 speed (indicated by a bright glow around the catcher).
Common issues and questions
Where can I find and get the beatmaps?
- Detailed explanation of the beatmaps: Beatmaps
You can find it from the main page under the name "Beatmaps".
- Just remember to log in to your osu! account before-hand or the server treats you as a guest and prohibit you from downloading beatmaps from the site.
Can I disable Kiai Time?
No because unlike video, they are integrated to the game (as a part with the hit objects), thus cannot be disabled.
The maps are too hard! Where can I find some easier maps?
Pokebis has compiled a set of beatmaps suitable for beginners to play. You can find them here: http://osu.ppy.sh/forum/t/5456
Also, the ranked beatmap version of osu! tutorial is good for practicing some of the possible mapping design you will come across. It's an excellent training map for newbies and experienced alike.
Alternatively, you can sort the ranked beatmap list by difficulty. The easiest maps are at the top of the list.
Credits
- peppy's FAQ [1]
- Peter Lambert - osu! tutorial (Original tutorial, Ranked beatmap ver.)
- Pokebis's Beginner's Training [2]
- Wikipedia [3], [4]
| List of guides in osu! | |
|---|---|
| Official FAQ and Ranking Guidelines | Game FAQ • Ranking Criteria • Standard Ranking Criteria • Taiko Ranking Criteria • Catch the Beat Ranking Criteria • osu!mania Ranking Criteria |
| General Mapping/Modding Info | How to mod? • List of Mapping Techniques • Taiko Map Guidelines • Filling The Song Set-up fields • Making Good Sliders • Fitting the Size-limit |
| Modding Aides | AIBat |
| Skinning/Hitsound Info | Skinning in General • Making Properly Centered Spinners • Custom Hitsound Library • Adding Custom Hitsounds • Making the Background of Things Transparent |
| Storyboarding Info | Storyboard Scripting • Reducing SB Load |
| Video Editing | How to Compress Videos Without Destroying Their Quality • How to Add Videos taken from Youtube |
| Common Mistakes | How To Correctly Change Map's Artist/Title • Basic MP3 Modifications |
| Miscellaneous | Changing Title Text • Music Theory • Setting the Offset on the Correct Beat • Collab Information • Starting a Beatmap Project • Live Streaming osu! • Getting songs from Videogames |
