DanceDanceRevolution X

SCORE: 70

The DanceDanceRevolution video games started the industry down the path that brought us the Wii. DanceDanceRevolution X on the Sony Playstation 2 continues the tradition of this series in a lot of fascinating ways. Players get off the couch (editor: technically this game can be played with the controller, and not the dance pad) and move to the groove. Over seventy songs are included, and they are usually of the techno variety. The ESRB gave this Playstation 2 (PS2) video game an ‘E10+’ rating with Lyrics, Mild Fantasy Violence, and Mild Suggestive Themes as the three negative descriptors.

In a lot of ways DanceDanceRevolution X feels like going to a dance club with all of the special effects visuals. The graphics are generally darker with light contrasting. The enticement to lust issues are heavily present in this game. The way a lot of the females are dressed, dance, and even some of the songs have music videos in the background. If you turn on the MTV channel then you can expect some of the same things. In all fairness to DanceDanceRevolution X, I have seen a lot worse enticement to lust issues on MTV when I would allow myself to be exposed to that kind of negative content. The artistic style (drawing) is one I found to be appealing, and I could get it without a huge hike in everyone’s taxes.

A music game is all about the musical selection. The Dance Praise video games are so good because of the musical content. The lyrics are a problem in DanceDanceRevolution X, and that is a shame because the game play is exceptional. I recognized a couple of the songs in this PS2 video game, and had to spend time listening to plenty of the others. None of the songs included in DanceDanceRevolution X are ones I would spend my own personal time listening to. If you are into these songs, then you will probably have a different reaction. I pay attention to the lessons the songs are telling, and if they improve my attitudes or take them down the wrong path.

DanceDanceRevolution X can have a lot of replay due to all the modes, unlockable content, songs, and characters. I just wish the song selection was as good as it is in the Dance Praise franchise. Konami should team up with Digital Praise and put one of their games on the Wii, PS2, Xbox 360, etc.

I tried DanceDanceRevolution X out with both a dance pad, and the controller. The controller is a lot easier to use, but it really detracts from the point of this video game - to get exercise. The dance pad has a learning curve, and if you ever get out of the middle, expect to experience issues. With both of those mentioned DanceDanceRevolution X is a lot of fun to play. The developer Bemani put a lot of intelligent design into the game play of DanceDanceRevolution X.

Many games are good news, bad news, and DanceDanceRevolution X certainly fits that mold. Getting up, and getting exercise while gaming is one of the things that improves the image of the video game industry. The enticement to lust, and lyrics hurt the image of the industry. Still there is more good than bad, and that means this game receives a passing score from Family Friendly Gaming.
- Paul

Graphics: 60%
Sound: 65%
Replay/Extras: 80%
Gameplay: 82%
Family Friendly Factor: 62%
System: Playstation 2
Publisher: Konami
Rating: 'E10+' for Everyone 10+
{Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Fantasy Violence }

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