A Fool's Guide to Project Sekai

The system

I have three categories I’ll be rating charts on: Feel, Medium, and Interest

Feel is the flow of the chart. How does it feel to play? Do the notes lead naturally from one moment to the next? Are there any outstanding moments of the chart putting your fingers in the right place? Note that this does not take into consideration the readability of a chart. This can also be thought of as note placement. There are five points for Feel.

Medium is how the chart utilizes the medium of Project Sekai. Are the notes used in an interesting way? Do they do anything fun with the hold notes? How does the chart match the music? Is the sound design interesting? This can also be thought of as texture. There are five points for Medium.

Finally, Interest is simply whether a chart keeps my interest or not. There's not much else to this one. There are three points for Interest.

Alongside these are some categories of bonuses and demerits. These are Flourish, Missed Potential, Overcharting, and Exceptionalism.

Flourish is a bonus awarded if a chart has natural moments that feel cool to play. Things like a particularly extravagant flick note or a hold note that moves in a way where you can kinda jam out along with it.

Missed Potential is a demerit given when there's a moment that could've been better (or a moment from the original song that got cut out that would've been sick as hell to play YY).

Overcharting is a demerit given when the chart has moments that simply do not come from the song. Like there was no reason to put that in besides artificial difficulty inflation.

Exceptionalism is a bonus attached to one of the main categories if a chart is, well, exceptional in that regard. This one can be awarded multiple times if a chart is exceptional in multiple categories.

If you’re curious, you can find the rubric I made for this project here.

The order of operations

I'll be following the release date for the order in which I rate the songs. This way it will be easy for me to know what songs I still need to rate, even as new songs are added. I'll be going off of what songs are on the global (or EN) servers, because that's where I play. Each song will be rated on their Hard, Expert, and Master difficulties, as the Normal and Easy ones are boring and do nothing interesting with the charts. Each difficulty is rated separately and with the conventions of that difficulty taken into account (eg. Master charts almost always have more interesting hold notes and note patterns, Hard charts are more likely to have only one finger used at a time, etc.). I will also be skipping songs that I am incapable of playing the Master chart for, because I cannot judge them fairly at my current skill level. They will be rated as soon as I am capable of playing them. Additionally, I won’t be rating any charts that require more than 2 fingers to play, nor will I rate any append charts when they reach global servers. I will, however, rate the Hard and Expert charts for songs that break the 2 finger limit.

Tagging

I tag songs with the following:

song name and producer

in-game group

sekai ver. singers

original singers

and a few more that are consistent across songs. This is both for reach and to make searching for songs easier. I tag songs with the EN servers name, because I don't want to look up every song to get its original name. I tag singer names with the surname first, because I am nothing if not a weeaboo, so if you are searching by singer search that way (e.g. akiyama mizuki, hinomori shiho, megurine luka, etc.).

GIFs and accessibility

I use gifs in my reviews. If this distresses or upsets you, fear not! I hate gifs as well! To deal with this on desktop, I recommend downloading XKit and turning on AccessKit, which has an option to disable gifs until you hover over them with your mouse. On mobile, tumblr itself has an option to disable gifs until you tap on them! Go to setting -> Account settings -> Media auto-play and select Never auto-play. This also has the nifty benefit of saving mobile data!

If you simply can't stand them no matter what, or if you use a screen reader, I also include IDs in the alt text for every gif. If you notice one missing, please send me a message or an ask! I will fix it posthaste!

Disclaimer:

These ratings are not objective, despite my attempts to be impartial and fair. I play at Master level most of the time, and so my bias may show up in rating the lower level charts. These are my personal opinions. They may contradict with your own. That's okay, because this is all for fun. My ratings cannot hurt you. If you don't like them (or me), please feel free to block me.

That said, I hope you enjoy seeing my thoughts. I've loved the charts for Project Sekai for the entire time I've been playing and want to codify and express that love through this project. Ratings are uploaded every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 3 PM CST.

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

See, this is the kind of thing I expect from a hard chart. It has moments of following the rhythm to a t, yes, but for the most part it’s very steady and ignores any syncopation or quick sections. Good job ROKI for having the normalest feel ever.

I do like these holds, they’re cool and deserve a shoutout. They don’t make the feel any less normal though. 3/5

Medium

No notes. 3/5

Interest

Held my attention. 2/3

Overall Score: 8/13

Expert

Gameplay

I got an AP playing this again off camera. Man.

Feel

It’s pretty consistently good, but not in any outstanding ways.

These holds feel kinda cool and have a very clear motion to them.

I do really like this pattern. The single taps on the outside give it a cool motion that you don’t see frequently. 4/5

Medium

Spelling!! Pretty self explanatory.

These holds rock. The pips and spiky outlines work together to reflect the quick uptick in intensity, and the gold flicks release that tension so nicely, it’s a good use of notes. 4/5

Interest

Interesting as ever. 2/3 

Flourish

Oobh I had plany off fun with this chart.

This little section was spectacular, hitting those flicks and the short holds, it’s hard not to have fun with it.

Of course this bit gets another mention. The feeling of the song is reflected so nicely in the notes that it becomes infectious and hitting those gold flicks is like taking the first bite of a well made sandwich. It’s satisfying.

And of course hitting the final flick, after that brief pause, ending the song, you’d have to be so tense to not give it some flair. Awesome. +1

Overall Score: 11/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

This is another consistently nice, but not outstanding, chart.

I really like these triplets from early on. They’ve got a static charm that you wouldn’t expect from just looking at them, and they have some of the cool motion from that alternating pairs/singles pattern from the expert chart.

These flicks deserve a mention. I’ve seen this exact pattern done better, but it’s not bad here either. 4/5

Medium

Spelling again!! ROCK N' ROLL baby!!

And this moment is done justice once again! It’s a good escalation of the expert chart. Pips are used really well in general in this chart; to continue a rhythm while giving your fingers a little rest, to raise intensity, to match the drums, they really do it all in this chart. 4/5

Interest

Yeah. 2/3

Flourish

Again! It wasn’t quite so packed with moments like the expert chart, but it still had them! Particularly during the end section. There’s lots of flicks you can hit a little more energetically, and that good consistent feel lets you keep that energy through the whole section.

This moment (of course) introduces the energy.

And this moment finishes it off so cleanly. It feels full circle, in a way. Very nice. +1

Overall Score: 11/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

This part uses the ends of the holds as part of the rhythm! That’s pretty rare in a hard chart! 4/5

Medium

Average. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

There is a lot to love about the flow of this chart.

First, a good split hands pattern. Classic, well executed, the holds are a good touch.

Now this, this is what I’m fucking talking about this is pure gold right here. This is absolutely stellar charting. The tiny notes leading your hands from one side to the other, keeping the chart flowing smoothly, adding some overall motion; the only thing that could make this moment better is if there was space for flourish because oh my god this segment is the definition of good feel. It’s also great medium since the small notes give it a sort of dinky feel that is perfectly appropriate for the lighter Minori sections.

This part retains that stellar leading, although it’s a bit more subtle. Really this entire chart has great flow to it, I’m such a big fan. 5/5 +1 for being fucking exceptional

Medium

Amazing use of small notes here, as noted above. 4/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 12/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

This split hand pattern is pretty fun. It’s not transcendental like the expert chart but it is definitely original so it gets points for doing something different.

The directional flicks are implemented pretty well in this, although I’m a little peeved at the taps in-between them because they stunt the momentum. Regardless, this is a decent chart. 4/5

Medium

Pretty standard medium. The small notes deserve a mention though. And the final feel moment I pointed out has a cool touch with the gold notes all being in the center. There's a chart way later on that takes this idea to its extreme and it is amazing, but I won't tell you which so you'll just have to wait and see. 4/5

Interest

My attention was held. 2/3

Overall Score: 10/13

There's a few more posts in the queue, so look forward to those as they come out. Farewell, my adoring fans!

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

Now I’m starting to think the hard charts we’ve been getting recently are just mid because I have been presented with yet another hard chart that is dedicated to its song. Interesting.

This part in the bridge is good. It has the same sort of static charm that was present in the Composing the Future hard and expert charts.

I like this little section. It’s subtle but it has a drift to it that feels good to play. 5/5

Medium

Nothing much to say about medium. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 10/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

Unremarkable. 3/5

Medium

Nothing of note. 3/5

Interest

Just as interesting as it needs to be. 2/3

Overall Score: 8/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

This part of the verse is stellar. I love having the two hands playing different rhythms, and the small notes on the right is a nice touch to help differentiate the separate patterns at a glance.

This section was present in the expert chart as well, but it’s been greatly improved upon here. There is a motion to the overall pattern, a flow to it that wasn’t there before, and I like it. 4/5

Medium

Not much to say here either. Note size was well used though. 3/5

Interest

Interesting as ever. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

This part is very nice. It’s very static except for the transitions between positions, which feels pretty neat. 4/5

Medium

They kinda go girl gave us nothing, honestly. Bare minimum work. 2/5

Interest

Zoned tf out. 1/3

Overall Score: 7/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

This part is good again! It keeps the static sections, but the transition is done in a different, more slidey way. I also like the fact that the taps follow the movement of the hold, but are delayed. That’s nice. Plus it gets you where you’re meant to go. Good pattern overall.

These sections are interesting! I like that the hands are clearly separated but retain the same trajectory, it ties them together in a pretty cool way. 4/5

Medium

Nothing much to say here. 3/5

Interest

Held my attention. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

This chart isn’t really notable. I do like the ending though. Their choice of what rhythm to follow makes it feel more interesting. 3/5

Medium

Great use of different sized notes here! The intro and outro being small is perfectly appropriate and their choices of where to put small notes in the body of the chart are all good as well. Very nice. 4/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

Yet another hard chart that feels devoted to its melody. I’m starting to think this is actually normal and I’m just biased… 4/5

Medium

As it always is. I do like the hold notes but they’re not enough to up the score. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Missed Potential

I would’ve liked it if they had a few notes on the right during this hold. Just a tap note on the “hey!” As it is, it feels empty. Pretty sad. -1

Overall Score: 8/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

I love the use of the end of hold notes here. It’s so intentional and well-integrated, I am eating this up.

I’m pointing out these flick notes mostly just to acknowledge their existence. They aren’t great, there’s not really a clear flow or path before or after them to justify them being here, but they also don’t make the chart worse. They’re kinda just there. Which is cool! But not that cool. 4/5

Medium

These small notes are such a good choice!! I love when the size of the notes reflects the intensity of the song, it really elevates a chart. Plus the plinky synths in this song are kinda begging for tiny little notes. I’m very happy to see them here.

? Great hold. I like her. 5/5

Interest

Not much to say here. 2/3

Overall Score: 11/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

Lovely patterns here, they flow nicely and the flicks are a wonderful touch. They add a little bit of pop to the pattern that really draws me into it. Big fan.

This trill is really nice. The small notes on the right give some clarity to the pattern once the two sides overlap.

This pattern EATS. The flicks are so fun to hit and they follow the trajectory of the holds, it’s just great. It sounds good too.

The directional gold flicks are done MUCH better here. There’s actual lead-up to them, they feel intentional and add something to the chart. 5/5

Medium

Spelling? In my unit song? It’s more likely than you think! There’s a ⅖ probability of it, actually. Unless we’re also counting the world link songs. In which case I couldn’t tell you. Jokes aside, I like it, I think the spelling is fun.

This arrow (or is it a carousel?) shape that comes immediately afterwards is nice too.

And this heart/heartbeat combo that’s earlier in the song. Great shapes all around. 4/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Missed Potential

? Where did she go? I miss her. Would it really have been that hard to keep the question mark? You had so many other good shapes, why exclude the one people would expect based on the previous difficulty? Sad. -1

Overall Score: 10/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

The song gives the charters a lot to work with here and they deliver. The interesting rhythms are represented in a difficulty-appropriate way, it’s very well done.

This moment is particularly good. 4/5

Medium

Nothing of note. 3/5

Interest

Interesting. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

Unfortunately the charters did not deliver on this chart. There’s enough patterns that feel just off enough to mess up my experience.

This one is the worst offender. 2/5

Medium

Normal usage of medium. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Flourish

I mentioned this part in my Jishoumushoku review. The syncopation in this part makes it so easy to feel cool playing it. I also think this might be the first ever part of a chart that I played a little performatively, so it holds a special place in my heart. +1

Overall Score: 8/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

This part at the beginning flows really nicely. It has a bit of a stuttery feel, since the single tap notes are in the same lane as half of the paired notes.

This part flows so smoothly once you figure out how it should be played. The stacked tap notes makes for some great movement between the pairs. It feels kinda stilted for the same reason as the previous pattern, which I enjoy. The directional flicks are mid. They’re not awful but they don’t flow nicely, there’s no leadup and the follow-through doesn’t hit.

These ones are the worst offenders. However, these flicks are great.

They’re a splendid counter balance to the movement of the hold notes.

This gold section reads so bad. I know, I know I said Feel doesn’t take readability into account but this is just so abysmal that I need to mention it. It’s all the fault of this one tap note.

It wasn’t in the previous iteration of this pattern, and that one is genuinely good! But this version is startling and panicky because I can barely see that thing, it’s practically invisible! It makes me mad. 3/5 overall.

Medium

The use of flicks here is peak sound design. They’re well used throughout the chart, but this part is exceptional I think.

4/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

I really like these hold patterns in the verse. They feel peppy and energetic, much like the song. And you already know I’m a sucker for the end of a hold note being used intentionally. 4/5

Medium

The use of hold notes in this chart is all-around good. Particularly the bits I mention in this review, in the feel and flourish sections. 4/5

Interest

Nothing of note. 2/3

Flourish

These moments have a very subtle flourish opportunity to them. They’re very much like using glowsticks at an idol concert; that one specific move where you raise them slowly in an arc and end with one shake up in the air. If you treat it like that, that’s kind of what it becomes. It’s very appropriate for the song and it feels great. +1

Overall Score: 11/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

These holds that show up in the chorus are so smooth and use the end of a hold note very well. They lose the glowstick choreography feel, but it’s alright because it’s a good pattern regardless.

I love this section before the verse. The flicks and holds accentuate the pattern so wonderfully, and the flicks especially add a bit of flair to it that makes the section so fun to play. This might also belong in medium because the texture of the section is also very well done and layers really well with the song.

The way this tap pattern alternates which side the single tap is on differentiates it from other charts. This is already a fun pattern once you know how to play it, and switching it up a little makes it pretty interesting! There’s a lot of good ways to tackle this pattern as well, which you don’t see a lot. 5/5

Medium

This beginning is genuinely peak. The letters, the pips in the holds, the flicks, the last hold, the gold flick to cap it off, every part of this section is an expert use of the medium! And speaking of letters.

L! O! V! E! Is a good way to express my feelings for this. Shaped hold notes are always fun to see in a chart of course, but they’re extra appropriate here due to the chants in the song. It’s like the glowstick moment in the hard chart. They’re approximating the feel of participating in an idol concert. 5/5

Interest

As interesting as any other chart. 2/3

Overall Score: 12/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

This end to the beginning is even more peak than it was in the Expert chart. The hold crossing the entire play field, and then the gold flick countering that movement, it’s a sharp set of movements that clearly leads your hand from one moment to the next, it’s the epitome of what I look for with feel moments. Absolutely expertly crafted.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for these taps. They are messy and unclear and they piss me off. I’m guessing that the intent is for them to be a crosshand pattern, but I am only guessing because I am not good enough at crosshand to be able to play it as such. I only just full combo’d Singing of a Flower and that chart has very clear and uncomplicated crosshand in it (which I am very excited to talk about). Following them up with directional flicks too just rubs salt in the wound. These taps don’t have a clear trajectory, so you have to fully process the directional flicks to be able to hit them right, which is hard because by the time they show up, I’m still reeling from the goddamn tap pattern. It’s the only bad part of the chart and unfortunately it’s going to have to dock a point. All that said, most of the directional flicks in this chart are clear and reasonable, which is nice to see in such an early chart.

The L! O! V! E! pattern, similarly to the beginning, is evolved in a way that makes the feel ten times better. The alternating directional flicks with the hold in the center anchoring it has a great jumpy feeling to it (appropriate for More More Jump!).

This pattern in the verse is also well done, with the whistle and chants informing the pattern for one hand while the other plays melody. It’s fun. 5/5

Medium

This chart is overall a good escalation of the last. The holds, flicks, and shapes all add to the chart, and the pips within the holds are used well in this chart as well. All-around solid. 5/5

Interest

Good enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 12/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

The chart has an unusual dedication to the melody of the song, which is lovely to see in a level 17 chart. 4/5

Medium

Nothing of note in this regard. 3/5

Interest

It was fine. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

Unremarkable. 3/5

Medium

Fairly standard. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 8/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

These two flick patterns are lovely. In the first one, the flick notes lead so smoothly into the taps after it, making what could be an annoying and difficult pattern into an easy and fun one. In the second, the flow of the taps lead into the flick notes, which both feels good to play and is an interesting inversion of the previous pattern.

This pattern is an iteration of the previous two that shows up at the end of the chart. It doesn’t quite capture the effortless flow of those two, but it’s also an interesting and reasonable escalation of them, so I still think it’s good.

There are a few stellar moments where one hand is devoted to a different rhythm, these two in particular come to mind.

5/5

Medium

Nothing much to say here. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 10/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

This section where the notes gradually spread further apart is peak. It has sort of a rocking feel to it, I really like it. This is also a pattern that I’ve seen in a few newer Master charts and really enjoyed, so it’s super cool to see it in an old hard chart. 4/5

Medium

Nothing of note. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

These hold notes are awesome. They bridge the gap between the movement of the taps preceding it and the long hold after, while having a fun rhythm that matches the song and uses the end of the hold as part of it, they’re practically perfect in every way. 4/5

Medium

No outstanding usage of medium here. 3/5

Interest

Normal. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

There are a lot of good moments in this chart.

These flicks are fun, and the directional aspect of them feels natural.

This very end section is genuinely iconic to me. There is one other chart that has a moment like this and it’s the Ready Steady expert chart. I played this chart a lot before I got good good, so I didn’t yet know the intended method for ladder notes, but boy am I glad that’s the case because this feels so much more fun and cool when you hit all the notes with the same finger. It’s crazy how much that one change elevates the chart. Overall this chart is insanely smooth and natural, like, incomparably so. It’s the first Master chart I ever cleared, and for good reason. Your reading doesn’t have to be great, your speed doesn’t have to be crazy, this is just a lovely, chill chart that feels nice to play. It was my warm up/cool down song for a while because of this. I genuinely adore the feel of this chart. 5/5

Medium

The medium, however, is pretty damn average. 3/5

Interest

And the interest is equally so. 2/3

Flourish

It’s very easy to put a little spin on the end section there. Hitting those notes all with the same finger activates my neurons, I feel so fucking awesome. +1

Overall Score: 11/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

The use of spacing in this chart feels more intentional than usual. I think it’s because so much of the song is in a sort of galloping rhythm, but so much of the chart isn’t. And for good reason! When the chart is more loyal to the melody’s rhythm, it becomes an Expert chart. Just look at the Expert chart, not even it puts gallops everywhere they're found in the song! The decision to put a gallop somewhere is a big one for a low difficulty chart! So having all of them feel natural and easy in this chart is pretty impressive. 4/5

Medium

The small notes here at the end to reflect the song is a good choice that you don’t see often in hard charts. 4/5

Interest

Held my attention. 2/3

Overall Score: 10/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

The galloping feel is nice and natural here too, particularly here in the chorus. It’s well executed, which is big coming from me because this is my least favorite kind of chart to play. 4/5

Medium

I really like the flicks in the chorus, which are also seen in the above gif. The small notes at the end are carried into this chart as well. 4/5

Interest

Despite everything, I found myself zoning the fuck out frequently. 1/3

Overall Score: 9/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

There’s a lot of fun little bits in this chart.

This pattern at the beginning is interesting to me, because it’s a very common pattern in essence, but it feels much different for some reason.

These staggered hold notes are a great way to spice up a chart and make it more fun. And the chorus, well, the chorus is just stellar.

The flicks, the short holds, the way the first half of the chorus telegraphs the second, making it easy to read even though it’s more complex, it’s wonderful. 5/5

Medium

Nothing much to note here. 3/5

Interest

I was worried at first because the chart starts out pretty damn boring. But it redeems itself in the second half, so I will forgive this. 2/3

Overall Score: 10/13

Hard

Gameplay

Feel

Nothing of note. 3/5

Medium

Nothing to say here either. 3/5

Interest

Interesting enough. 2/3

Overall Score: 8/13

Expert

Gameplay

Feel

Outstanding feel on this chart.

I like this part of the beginning. The symmetry and static position of the notes is interesting, and it does feel right for this part of the song.

These hold notes are fun to play. Having a tap note attached to them makes the pattern fun and makes it feel more natural. It gives a little signal to my brain to pick up my finger for a moment. It also feels like galloping and that’s cool.

My favorite pattern makes an appearance in this chart! And it’s slightly extended!

These hold notes in the chorus are lovely, I’m always a fan of staggered holds and using the end of a hold intentionally.

This long hold at the end tried something with its accompanying taps. I get that, the inverse movement and then the static triad certainly are interesting, they just don’t quite do it for me. Regardless, this entire chart feels wonderful to play and has plenty of great moments. 5/5 

Medium

Overall very normal in the medium department. The small notes at the beginning to reflect the softness of the intro are good though. 4/5

Interest

Pretty normal level of interest. 2/3

Overall Score: 11/13

Master

Gameplay

Feel

The very beginning is pretty wonderful.

These hold notes are fun, the pattern that comes after that is fun, the hold notes that cap that off are fun too! Great way to start a chart. There are a lot of moments that are just so close to being something stellar. They have potential to be amazing and bump this chart up to a 5. I’m not marking this as missed potential, though, because they don’t impede on the quality of the chart unless you’re looking for them. 4/5

Medium

Not much to say for medium. The small notes at the beginning make a return, but I’m not giving them a point because that’s more standard for Master charts and it’s all the interesting note use there is in the chart. 3/5

Interest

My attention was held. 2/3

Overall Score: 9/13