DDRMAX2 Dance Dance Revolution

"New Features + Licenses + Repeats = A Surprising Combination."

DDRMAX2. To onlookers, every game is the same exact thing, but this new mix introduces new features and new songs that would impress new players, and even experts of the game.

GRAPHICS:

Well, 60 FPS, which is 2x better than the PS1's ability, but we've seen this already in MAX. DDR hasn't really been about graphics though, but there are some notable changes. First off, licensed songs have Music Videos that play in the backround when you play. Dancing Characters make their comeback too. MAX2 has a substantial amount of characters to choose from that dance with you on screen. MAX2 also has a new, 'darker' interface. In my opinion, it looks much better than MAX's.

HOW TO PLAY:

Well, I'm pretty sure most of you know how to play. You hit the arrows once they pass over the blinking 'guide' at the top. You can get the step right on, which counts as a PERFECT, you can get it slightly off, which results in a GREAT, both of which start/continue a combo. If you miss the arrow by just a little, you get a GOOD, if you miss it by a lot, you get an ALMOST, and if you miss the step completely, you get a BOO. There are also grades you get after completing a song. If you get all PERFECTS, you get a AAA, the best grade. If you get a Full Combo, or get many PERFECTS, and few GREATS, and one or two GOODS, you get a AA. They then follow as A, B, C and D, but if you get an E, you have failed the song. You can play on the controller, but to maximize the fun, you can get a dance pad. You can get soft pads (cheap price, ok quality), hard pads (mediocre price, mediocre quality), or a metal pad (expensive, extremely good).

After passing songs, you get points, and after getting points, you get unlockables, which include new songs, new Nonstop Courses, the Characters, and a new mode.

NEW FEATURES:

There are many new features included in MAX2 that weren't in any other DDR game in the US. After choosing Single play, Versus play, or Double play, you can choose your difficulty. There is Light, Standard and Heavy, with two new modes. Beginner, which 'teaches' you how to play on an easy difficulty, and Nonstop, which has courses that don't stop in between songs until all of them have been cleared.
As mentioned before, the Dancing Characters are back. No Oni Mode from MAX though.

MUSIC:

Well, this is a MUSIC/ACTION game, so there is music galore here. I think the thing that sticks out the most, is the liscensed songs. There are hits from so many artists that are on the Radio and on MTV, making this a new player-friendly Mix. There are also a lot of repeats though that the vets may be upset about, but most of the are good, if not great, except for the few. *looks at Silent Hill*

REPLAY

MAX2 has endless replay value. You can always try to beat your best score on Heavy or a Nonstop course, creat your own steps to a song, make a Nonstop, play with friends, or make new games out of this one. You can try to freestyle on songs, do goofy things while playing, introduce friends and loved ones to it, or even use it for exercise with it's Workout Mode. There is always something to do with Max2.

OVERALL

DDRMAX2 is an outstanding mix for all DDR player types. It is appealing to new players, whereas they see songs they recognize and get introduced more, and appealing to regular players, seeing new songs and features that could make a grown man cry. Introducing things people haven't seen before, this mix is definitely worth a playing, or two, or as many needed. Probably the best mix for every player in the US to date.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/26/03