DDR Extreme

[Cheebs]

I've finally had a few hours play with DDR Extreme PS2. It is pretty amazing. I'm holding back my proclemation of "ultimate home DRR game" until I can get more play time in, but damn is it a good game.

First of all the song list is overwhelming, even before anything is unlocked (I think there ends up being 105 or 110 songs when the unlocking is done). Heck, the number of repeats alone is overwhelming, and the number of new songs dwarfs the repeats. All 5 Paranoias, every trip machine, every Max (including the new and insane Max. Period), both Healing Visions (worth the price of addmission right there ).... more songs than I can even think about finishing. The great news for DDR vets is that 90% or so of the new songs are either 8 or 9 feet. Plenty of cata's in this mix.

The unlock system goes back to being "blind", at least as far as I can tell. No more "points remaining" screen after finishing a game, and no more chart showing compleated unlocks and remaining unlocks. If there is, then it is hidden in an options menu somewhere. The first unlock is the dancing characters. In fact, you get the unlock so early on (after my first game I think) that it is silly that it is even an unlock at all. However, only 4 dancing characters are available to me right now. I can only assume that the rest are unlockable themselves, unlike the US Max2 where it gives you every character in one shot.

Oni mode returns (yes!) for those of us who missed it so badly in US Max 2. The game also features Nonstop courses for anybody who wants the Oni play setup but can't handle (or just doesn't want to handle) the Oni lifebar. Oni courses and Nonstop courses are independant, meaning you will find differnt courses in each mode. All the fun stuff like Random and Player's Best (and Worse) are there.

If there is one downside so far, it is that the bad songs are really bad. The worst of Extreme is easily the worst of the entire DDR serries. Crash honestly has the worst vocals I have ever heard in any professionally published song. On top of that, they went for some "rock" style songs this time and apparently didn't have the budget to use real instruments. As a result we get several songs that try to sound like real instruments, but come off sounding exactly like N64 synth guitars and drums. It's pretty embarrassing. But like I said, the number of songs in this mix is compleatly overwhelming, so feel free to ignore those few stinkers. Some songs are actually pretty cool. "A Stupid Barber" kicks ass. As always, the background videos are great, and are surprisingly "personalized" for many songs, especially considering the number of songs in there.

Oh, and my favorite option in each Japanese DDR game: The ability to unlock everything in the mixes before it! Yes, if you have JP Max and Max 2 saved on your memory card you can instantly unlock everything in those games that you haven't gotten to yet. Finally, endless mode and those hard to get challenge steps in Max 2 are mine to play! Seriously worth the price of admission. I hate unlocks.

Well, like I said, I'm only 2 hours or so into this game. I will report back as I learn more.

[Kidnemo]

Neat!

If I keep diggin on the ddr like I have been since Max2 released, I'll either be getting a jp ps2, or modding my system.

Extreme has the polygon dancing guys no?

Sounds like it has a ton of songs, which makes me want it even more.

Thanks for the impressions!

[Tragic]

There hasn't been an option to choose a character in DDR since 5th mix.

[Sl1p]

And it was always annoying.

I won't be getting Extreme until Tuesday..thats the last time I order fro VGD

[Shinya]

There hasn't been an option to choose a character in DDR since 5th mix.

Actually in the home version of MAX2 there is a Dancer option where you can add a dancer display and choose which one you want.

Good Ol Afro baby!

think ya better d?

[Tragic]

Well I'll be god damned. Domestic only though, right?

[cka]

Is the game sponsored by Mountain Dew?

[ChaoofNee]

Crash honestly has the worst vocals I have ever heard in any professionally published song. On top of that, they went for some "rock" style songs this time and apparently didn't have the budget to use real instruments.

Do NOT dis Crash. It is THE most amazing piece of Engrish media EVER and one of my favorites. It also makes absolutely no sense. I love it.

[Shinya]

Well I'll be god damned. Domestic only though, right?

As far as I know, yea, domestic only.

[Remy]

Yeah, there were no characters on MAX2JP.

Extreme is certainly good, but it feels like something is missing. Can't put my finger on it. Maybe it's just that the songlist was halved from the arcade to home.