Dance Dance revolution II is still a solid dancing game, but it unfortunately carries many weaknesses.
Presentation - Like any other Dance Dance Revolution game, Dance Dance Revolution II has a dance mode, workout mode, training mode, and a DDR school mode for training. Dance mode is where you can play against three other friends (up to four players). You can do normal, friendship, sync, or doubles style when you play against your friends. Unfortunately, this game doesn't have any online play which is pretty disappointing. During Dance mode, you can also view your challenge tasks, records, options, course music, select a character including your Mii, select your favorite tracks, and choose a random song. In the options menu, you can change the speed of your arrows, take away freeze arrows, and change the timing of your songs etc. Workout mode is where the game counts calories for you right after you select a song. Training mode and DDR School is a good way for newcomers of the series to learn how to play Dance Dance Revolution.
Graphics - Overall, the graphics are bright and colorful. The frame rate is steady. When you select certain songs, there are some music videos to view. Unfortunately, the borders that surround the arrows are nothing but distracting you and it's even more difficult to see the music videos. Also, the music videos are in the dead center of the screen, and the videos are way too small. The graphics look pretty good overall, but the videos need to appear larger and the borders need to go.
Sound - There are a total of 80 tracks to select. About half of the songs are from current music artists like Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber, Ne-yo, Bruno Mars, and Jason Derulo etc. The remaining songs are from Japanese artists. Those songs are your typical techno, standard DDR songs. Overall, the song selection could of been better especially the Japanese songs because there are not that recognizable. The other half of the songs (famous artists) are pretty decent because almost everyone has at least heard of Justin Bieber.
Gameplay - By now you should know how to play DDR. There are four difficulty settings (beginner, basic, difficult, and expert). Expert mode is not as challenging as I expected it to be. The controls of the arrows are responsive like they always are.
Lasting Appeal - Dance Dance revolution II is still a solid dancing game, but it unfortunately carries many weaknesses. The four player mode is still a great way to play against friends and getting some needed exercise. However, the absence of having online play really cripples the lasting value.
the good - over 80 tracks to select, plenty of modes to go through and toggle around, solid multiplayer experience (up to four players), plenty of recognizable music artists
the bad - still no online play, overall song selection could of been better especially those Japanese songs, borders distract you, the music videos are way too tiny, expert mode is a tad too easy
Presentation - 10
Graphics- 6
Sound- 6
Gameplay- 8
Lasting Appeal- 7
Overall 7.4 out of 10 rounded to 7.5