Dance Dance Revolution Max
8
10
2
2
Probably the 2nd best mix of all PS2 games
OK, I want this review rather organized so I'll run down each category... /////GAMEPLAY\\\\\ Nothing too fancy, but nothing too simple either. I like how they have a simple Game Mode with not so much flare as to distract you. The Workout Mode, while it lacks in saving scores for certain songs, is rather enjoyable as you watch endless calories melt away. The "secret" ONI mode is actually just a little too difficult to really enjoy, even if you've been playing for 6 years. Seeing as how a mode that was added for the purpose of improving on a certain song, and another mode to add your own steps for your favorite song was very wondrous. The only aspect that seems to disappoint is that, despite the fact that a Lesson Mode is provided, there are no Beginner steps for Beginner players, as well as the lack of Challenge steps for those who wish to truly test their skills (although Challenge steps can be manually added with the help of Edit Mode). Also There was no Endless mode for this who truly want to see how skilled they are in the likes of this breed of video game. /////Graphics\\\\\ Not too flashy, not enough to give you a seizure anyway, unless you count the background gameplay animations as daunting. I don't actually mind the simple graphics implied in this game, except the characters that were loved in the past have vanished momentarily. Seeing as how little of graphics there is to really see, I can't say much else about the visual representation (except the song banners were fun to look at). /////Sound\\\\\ The announcer was not nearly as dreaded as the ghetto-wannabe DDR X one. As a matter of fact, if this "announcer" was to be a real person, I would sort of grow to like him. All the sound effects couldn't get on my nerves at all. /////Song Choice\\\\\ Not much mainstream music at all... just how I like it. If they still sold it I would snatch a copy of DDR KONAMIX from GameStop and admire at the lack of radio hits. Of course I wouldn't literally steal it though. The song selection had many songs I had longed to play for the past 5 or 6 years or so. It was fun testing my luck against songs such as exotic ethnic or ORION.78 ~civilization mix~ or RHYTHM & POLICE (K.O.G G3 Mix). The amount of beginner songs perfectly balance out with the amount of expert songs, which make this game flexible for someone as new as a young boy, or as seasoned as, well, a typical veteran. /////Lasting Value\\\\\ I never plan to get rid of this game in my life. I'd say this mix would be the last one to give up if I must. All the songs are still fun to play (even if you're one of those people like me who play every song on every difficulty). You can still keep trying at the secret song which requires the passing of the HARD CORE ONI course, or the playing of 500 songs. You can keep shooting for that AAA on that 10 foot song. You can still burn off the calories, and make new stepcharts, and train for improvement, and earn that Dance Master information blurb, and, well, you get the idea. /////Last Word\\\\\ If you're planning on getting any of the newer mixes, DON'T. Take it from me, you buy this mix in particular, you will be HAPPY, especially if you're a veteran of this series. The newer X and X2 mixes are too shabby to even replace in a PS2 disk drive. If you can, and if they still keep some copies, buy this game and do not ever let go of it, for anything!
6/27/11
Well, it's a workout...
This game is fun, it's not much of a dance though unless you consider jumping up and down trying to step on arrows a dance. What would make this game better and more fun is if you know the song because then you should get a little idea of where there would be more steps or so; the background of the game while you are playing is very cool and it often distracts me from the steps, it is so hypnotizing :-). Like i said it is a very fun game and a great workout, you can keep track of the weight you are losing (or gaining) and after the song (if you are doing workout mode) it will tell you haw many calories you have burned, don't worry about messing up in the game if you are focused on working out because if you go crazy on the mat you burn more calories LOL.
3/8/11