In Europe, this game is named Dancing Stage Universe
I will explain this game in 3 categories.
Gameplay (9)
Just the same'ol concept you would expect from a DDR game, lol. Hit the corresponding arrows on the rythem & beat as they move up. They added a mode called Quest Mode. For those who played DDR Ultramix 3 should be familiar with this mode. In this mode you have to compete against several opponents (Amy, Afro, Lady etc.) scattered over the US. Thus the word "Universe". Hmm, pretty weird for us Europeans to walk around the US in this game, even though we live in Europe...
In every state you have to clear objectives. It varies from hit x jumps, x combo's, etc. etc. In short, lot's o stuff to do in Quest Mode. Too bad most of the unlocks are only unlockable in this mode. Which are hard for beginning novices...
There's some other modes too. Challenge mode puts your skills to the test and it's really hard, I can tell you. I cursed all night long clearing that g*peep*y*peep*ss Maximizer song on Sudden, Boost, Reverse and no combo break... I still haven't cleared that challenge yet...
You got How to Play, Trial and Super Easy modes for novice players. There's also this neat Relay Mode, where players switch off dancing in the middle of a song. Don't forget the 8 to 12-pad mode. It's an expensive purchase, but if you've got 2 or 3 pads. You can extend your grooviness to another level. I haven't tried it yet, because I got 1 official 360 konami pad, lol...
Graphics (7)
Nothing has changed. It's just the same old xbox Ultramix theme with a flowerish flavour. I mean jeez. A next-gen console with graphics I've seen 2 years ago. What the f*peep* man... Oh yeah, it's funny how they implented musicnotes tunes when you scroll through the main menu's. Nice touch and I love it, hehe.
Music (8)
They removed some license songs from the US-version, such as Everytime We Touch, WWW.BLONDIEGIRL... You will be able to download unlocks and extra songs from the Xbox Marketplace to extend your music collection.
The songlist is IMO sweet. New entries such as Tsugaru (OR-IF-IS Mix), PARANOiA Evolution, MAXIMIZER & the o-so cute Koibito cat song makes it a worthy package.
Overall
This game is just great for starters and advanced players. It's just too bad that I can't use my Fluxy on my 360. Guess I have to wait for a controlbox... Gameplay is satisfying. The multiplay option, local and live, is great. Esp. the various mods. It's longtivity will last longer if you got friends.
The graphics could've done better. I mean look at the Beatmania theme's. They look different everytime a new style is released. The graphics in DS Universe = crap. Same old concept as the old Ultramixes with flowers. Konani?
Like I said before. IMO the songlist is satisfying. Trance, Drum'n Bass, J-pop, Salsa (wtf?!) etc. makes it great and enteraining for all sorts of people. Able to buy and play new songs for the Marketplace is a gogo.
I give this game a solid 8.