Gameplay:
Honestly, this game could have been much better. While the overall gameplay is decent and the dancing is what we usually expect, there are many smaller aspects that make this game frustrating and short-lived. For one, there isn’t a great variety of songs, and many of those songs are just terrible, according to what the majority thinks. Out of countless techno/dance songs, they chose some of the worst, and a few of the best. Furthermore, the most frustrating aspect is Battle Mode. When battling for the best score against an opponent, not only are the controls awkward (the + button must be held to end the match, and this is not clarified anywhere), but the increase in difficulty is enormous. After a few rounds of battling, the difficultly seemingly goes from beginner to expert, and you’re stuck a third of the way through the game.
Each song’s difficulty varies greatly, so one song could seem like “easy” on “expert,” while the next is the opposite, and it is not solely based on tempo. While some new additions are added, such as hand markers that allow you to use the Wii remote, and gimmicks, which randomize which direction you need to swing the remote, the overall game is not fun for very long. Actually, it may be intensely fun for awhile, and then it dies down as you start to notice the areas that Konami failed to improve.
Controls:
Use the Wii remote and swing it in the direction specified on the screen, which can be very difficult for first timers. Coordinating your feet and hand movements is insanely frustrating, especially with the randomized gimmicks, so get ready to practice. Much more could have been done with the remote, but it’s only directional-based, and you might find yourself turning off the hand markers and just focusing on your feet. The most irritating part is that your control configurations aren’t saved, so if you turn off the hand markers, you’ll have to turn it off again each time you restart.
Graphics:
The DDR graphics are vibrant and colorful, and it makes the game come alive as you dance. The characters could have been detailed and animated better, and so the spectrum of animation goes from a reggae singer-looking fellow to a Britney Spears look-alike. All in all, the graphics is one of the more well-developed aspects of this addition.
Sound:
The soundtrack seems to add many mediocre dance/techno songs that just don’t fit with DDR, or dancing in general. The songs often don’t correlate properly with what you’d perceive to be the beat, and some are so incredibly slow that your dance mat might turn itself off from boredom. There are a few hit tracks, however, and some speedy tunes that will get your heart pumping to an unsafe level.
Replay Value:
This is unfortunately the worst aspect of the game. Any player will most likely have their own individual taste of music, and due to the poor soundtrack only 3-5 tunes will probably be enjoyed. How many times can you dance to 5 tunes? Well, that’s what your replay value.
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Rating:
Story: N/A
Gameplay: 7
Controls: 6.5
Graphics: 7.5
Sound: 7
Replay value: 7
Overall: 6.0
Own, Rent, Avoid:
Rent: Play this game if possible, but wait for a better DDR with a better soundtrack, more developed stages and control/option configurations. There are too many inconsistencies with this flawed addition.
Last Thoughts:
What could have been a great addition to DDR transformed into a flawed piece of potential when the soundtrack, controls/options configurations became more confusing and underdeveloped than it should have been. Nevertheless, a good 20 hours of fun gameplay are in line, and newcomers to DDR will enjoy this more than hardcore fans.
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Written By
Ryan Leack
3/02/2009
