Strategy SP - Question & Answer thread

[animagic4u]

I was thinkin' about getting the other two with the Best release, but it seems to me none of the story lines are really correlated. 

[digi162]

If Missing Moon becomes a downloadable game on the PSN network I might get it.  Mainly for the hopes that loading times will be reduced and I could always have im@s with me when bringing my PSP places.  I'm not getting any of the physical copies though, or even repurchasing the ones I already own, unless it came with some nice pre-order bonuses or something.

[animagic4u]

Do you think the Best versions will come out in an Asian version as well?

<I have the Asian version of Perfect Sun and would like my stuff to carry over>

[digi162]

I remember all DLC from any region works with the game, you just can't have DLC from different PSN regions be active all at once.  Using same logic, your save file should still work on the best version even if it's from the Asian version.  Unless the Asian save file doesn't work with the current Japanese one but I've never tested it or haven't heard of it not working.

[KarateKat]

I keep seeing people saying they got the "Asian" version. Is there more than one IM@S version for the PSP? I thought it wasn't being brought to America?

Also, I have the actual UMD for my PSP. Is there a way to get translations onto it or will I just have to brave it?
And are there any full walkthroughs with translations for responses?

Personally, my favourite is Makoto which is why I bought Perfect Sun. I also love Yayoi, and I like Haruka's "I want" so Perfect Sun is perfect for me.

[Kyo]

I keep seeing people saying they got the "Asian" version. Is there more than one IM@S version for the PSP? I thought it wasn't being brought to America?

It's not. There are Japanese and Asian versions of SP. Both are identical except that the Asian version is cheaper.

Also, I have the actual UMD for my PSP. Is there a way to get translations onto it or will I just have to brave it?

I think getting translations onto the UMD would be quite impossible. It might be possible if you had the game on ISO and are using CFW, but this isn't an area I like to tread in.

And are there any full walkthroughs with translations for responses?

Idolmaster, in general, plays out differently for each playthrough, due to varying skill levels of players, the statistics and mood levels of each in-game idol, opponents during each audition, etc.

Of course, there are general tips like when and where to concentrate your efforts on auditions or lessons, but it's extremely difficult to write a step-by-step walkthrough because of all the different factors.

As for answers to communications, there's a site dedicated to providing the information for the 360, PSP and DS games: http://www.icomu-master.info/

No English translations of the communication responses exist as of yet.

[digi162]

Is there a way to get translations onto it or will I just have to brave it?
And are there any full walkthroughs with translations for responses?

A lot of sections in the game don't really require a translation once you figure them out.  Especially SP, once you figure out what all the choices are on the schedule, how to respond to the prompts that show up at points, etc.

The only thing that really needs a translation for a non-japanese speaking player would be the communications IMO.  That's the one thing keeping me from playing story/free produce on the go, it's tough just winging that section.  There are some translations that exist for parts scattered on youtube, just not a lot and not what would help you.  There are some translations that exist in that translation project for SP, but you'd have to dig through that database to find what you're looking for.

I have mentioned to one or two people it would be nice to make a database in the wiki containing all the conversations for all idols.  It'd involve though copying all the text from the conversations, marking the correct answers, then providing a ton of translation work @_@  Which is probably why you won't find much help in that area other than from sites like http://www36.atwiki.jp/imas-psp/

[KarateKat]

It makes sense now :3 Thanks very much Kyo and Digi~

I'm not entirely clueless, I do know the majority of hiragana and some katakana, and lots of words and phrases. I was just curious to see if there was anything to make it simpler. Thankyou for the informative and polite answers though!

[nyachan]

Using same logic, your save file should still work on the best version even if it's from the Asian version.  Unless the Asian save file doesn't work with the current Japanese one but I've never tested it or haven't heard of it not working.

I can confirm this actually. Well, more from Japanese Version --> "Asian Version". I got WS and MM first as JP versions and later picked up PS as an "Asian Version" and the same file is used for both on all accounts. The "Asian Version" is quite literally the same UMD stuck into a slightly different box. There's no differences between the two versions besides the box they're in.

[animagic4u]

I'm super confused though, because I thought the DLC worked different with the Asian Version and Japan Version.

[nyachan]

I'm super confused though, because I thought the DLC worked different with the Asian Version and Japan Version.

Alright, here's how DLC works:

Japanese DLC will work with the Asian and Japanese Version.
Asian DLC will work with the Asian and Japanese Versions.
However, you cannot activate Asian DLC and Japanese DLC at the same time, since they run from different PSN accounts.
Thus, you cannot use Asian DLC and Japanese DLC at the same time, and must pick one or the other.

so in short, no, DLC does not work differently with the versions, and nor does it work differently between the two DLC versions. You just cannot have both activated at the same time because to use Japanese DLC your PSP must be connected to a JP PSN account and for the Asian DLC your PSP must be connected to an Asian PSN account.

We seriously need to put this somewhere, because I've seen the Asian vs Japanese Versions and DLC question come up every time I turn around.

[Sev]

Maybe it could be added to the Wiki?^^

[digi162]

That's how I thought it works too.  Taco wanted me to post his two cents for him:

パチュリー、ウッ！ says:

 There's no differences between the two versions besides the box they're in.
 the text is all in chinese
 and dlc is seperated
 meaning you have to buy asian psn points
 and dlc is late for asia
 very late
 ask sakurazou 
 she has an asian ver

digi-digi-digi says:

 lololol
 Can't use JPN dlc with asian version?

パチュリー、ウッ！ says:

 There are five different versions of the PlayStation Store: Asia, Europe, Japan, North America, and Oceania.
 yep
 you need asian points

パチュリー、ウッ！ says:
 you should post that

[nyachan]

waitaminute, there's some conflicting data there. ._<; You CAN use JPN DLC with an asian version. I have totally done so. All of my DLC is  JPN, and it all works on my PS copy, which is an "Asian Version".

[digi162]

WHY WHY WHY did it take almost a year to unlock this gawd damn pendant 
I just did an audition and the game was like HERE YOU GO! oh yeah!  HERE'S THE TROPHY for unlocking all items too.  JUST THOUGHT I'd let you have it now randomly even though you've been struggling like a mad man trying to find it, BYE!

RAGE RAGE RAGE RAGE