DDRMAX2 Dance Dance Revolution

"The Revolution Continues...Kinda"

Okay, first of all it is more of an 8.5, but I decided to round down, just because I think it is closer to an eight...

Gameplay/Controls: 10/10

The number one reason you would play this game, with a decent pad and significant space, this is wonderful. With a cheap pad and cramped space, you will probably grow to hate this game...quick. It is the same as ever (only 4-step, no 6-step). The challenge mode this time 'round is you choose a list of songs (pre-made) and you must complete all of them with no rests and your score and grove meter is the same throughout. There is also beginner mode, all of the songs are one-steps. This has an animation of people doing the steps on screen. Of course there are Light, Standard and Heavy (basic, trick and maniac, respectively).

Music Selection: 8/10

There is a pretty even selection with more licensed selections than ever, about 70 songs is good, but after 3 months of steady play, you'll be weary of the selection (I know I was). There is electronica, rap, j-pop, and "other" as the major genres. "Other" would be songs like MaxX Unlimited and Conga Feeling, they are the only song of their type, so I just make them "other", All in all, it's pretty good, but nothing special.

Extra: 7/10

The only extras in here are the on-screen dancers and endless mode. Endless mode is when you play constantly with breaks throughout and when you finally fail, you get a couple of stats of your performance. The dancers are just a couple of dancers from previous versions and new ones that dance on-screen to the beat. Nothing special there...

Buy or Rent: Rent or try in Arcade

You really don't want to waste $60+ on this and find you hate it. I strongly recommend that you rent the game (if you can find it), try it at a friends house, or simply play at the arcade. For the nicer pads, you will drop some serious cash, so make sure you're confident in your investment and it is worth it to you.

Fine Line: 8.5/10

It's a very good port, though I enjoy DDRMax more, this is better for first-timers. The beginner mode is nice, but it kinda shelters the new players from steps and when they finally advance into Light and Standard, they will be shell-shocked. All in all, a slightly above average game in an awesome series.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 06/27/04