kogomasaharu
Bio
I like writing stories, and giving people memorable characters to relate to. Look out for my upcoming books... it may sneak up on you unexpectedly.
Call me Kogo or K.G Maru, but don't call me late for dinner.
I like writing stories, and giving people memorable characters to relate to. Look out for my upcoming books... it may sneak up on you unexpectedly.
Call me Kogo or K.G Maru, but don't call me late for dinner.
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Over the course of about two weeks I have become the "Bust a Groove guy" in my friend group of about 2 people. That being said, I take that title very seriously and made it in my best interest to play through every single entry in the series with my upmost concentration... even if one of them happens to disregard nearly everything I fell in love with the series for. So I begrudgingly sat through this game until I unlocked every team.
If I'm giving off the sense that I hate the game, it's actually far from it. In fact, I was ready to set it apart from the previous two games and give it some sort of isolated appreciation like you reserve for games like Jammer Lammy. But the difference here is that unlike this game, Jammer Lammy actually kept the formula that its predecessor was best known for. In the case of Dance Summit 2001, it feels like an entirely different game.
Let's start off by talking about the characters. I find that most of the playable characters designs range from good to mediocre. Not a lot of them really stand out nor are as memorable as say, Hiro or Kitty-N. Each character has their own personality; I guess, in the form of an application sheet or something and they all have goals and reasons for doing what they're doing. I guess the problem I have here is presentation, in the previous games we got FMV endings for each character (unless you count our version of BaG2, haha) where we got a more animated glimpse into who they are as a person. In this game, every character's personality is summed up in a "What's your hobby? What would you do with a million yen? Who do you respect the most?" very cookie cutter level of characterization in my opinion. I only ask that each character had their own unique ending showcasing what they did after obtaining the Groovetron, rather than just explaining it to us.
I can't say I really cared about most of the characters. I like some of them, like Betty, Banbi (girl on the cover), Tomoe, Imawa, and Duck; but all in all I'll probably forget about the others in due time. Very unfortunate. I think if more time was spent fleshing them out, they could've been one of the game's stronger points.
Can't have a Bust a Groove game without a banger soundtrack though! Too bad this is hardly a Bust a Groove game. A majority of the songs aren't as catchy or charming as the previous tracks, I have about 2 that I actually enjoy listening to, the others are like, let's get this over with already. Quite a shame too. And unironically, I like the opening and the credits song more than the actual stages. How?!
Finally moving onto gameplay, it is no longer a 1v1 - head to head dance off. What this game is - is a missed opportunity. You're essentially competing with your team trying to rack up the most points out of all of them. It gives you time to read the button prompts, then gives you time to do them on beat.
One thing I wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around was the "Free" part of the stage. Every 2 button prompts that show, it gives you a free spot to press whatever button you wish. And the outcome of pressing a button all varies depending on what your team picks as well. If you and all your other teammates pick a button that match, everybody gets a ton of points. Sounds good, right? Right. Well there are also other times where - for example; if you press X, and another bot presses X, and ANOTHER bot presses X, but the 4th bot presses something like Square or Triangle, points are deducted from EVERYONE ELSE, except the rebel who pressed an alternate button, and points are added to them instead. Dom Monaghan: wHy?
I found out early on that you can actually press a face button when an upcoming "Free" beat is on the measure, and it appears on your character's face icon. I would've figured this would be used to strategize with your fellowship, instead I really don't think it means jack chit. The bots do their own thing and it's hard to actually synchronize with them. Is it normal to hate my own team? Because I do. Stop stealing my gotdang points, Candy.
Now I think its interesting to talk about what I was exactly expecting before going into this. Of course, being very obsessed with Bust a Groove, I was expecting them to take the teams and actually having them being pitted AGAINST each other, sort of like a 4v4. If everyone's points accumulated at the end of the stage, it would actually entice players to actually strategize and want to work together, because if I'm being honest all I want to do in this game is screw everybody over... they started it!
Ultimately, this is not my favorite game. Not top 5, not top 10, probably top 50 because I haven't played that many PS2 games; but I can't really see myself playing this again. Funnily enough, the first thing I did after unlocking the final team was play a game of Bust a Groove 1. It doesn't really bring me any joy or pleasure saying I didn't enjoy this game. I really wanted to like it but when compared to what came before it... it's just not what it could've been.
Before I wrap up I want to spit out some small things that I actually do like about the game. Weirdly, I love the box art. Yeah, you can say its an odd choice but nothing screams early 2000s than a literally picture of a CRT screen. It's the AESTHETICS MAAAAAAN. I thought people were into that. I also do like the idea of teams, I just wish they; again, had teams pitted against each other rather than just one team trying to 1 up each other in the most random way possible. Those are just my thoughts anyway, maybe some people will prefer Dance Summit over the first two Bust a Groove games, and all I have to say to that is... I salute you for doing what I cannot.
Again, I feel really weird saying I didn't enjoy this game, but you know, if you really love something, explain to others why you dislike (using that word loosely) its third entry.
If I'm giving off the sense that I hate the game, it's actually far from it. In fact, I was ready to set it apart from the previous two games and give it some sort of isolated appreciation like you reserve for games like Jammer Lammy. But the difference here is that unlike this game, Jammer Lammy actually kept the formula that its predecessor was best known for. In the case of Dance Summit 2001, it feels like an entirely different game.
Let's start off by talking about the characters. I find that most of the playable characters designs range from good to mediocre. Not a lot of them really stand out nor are as memorable as say, Hiro or Kitty-N. Each character has their own personality; I guess, in the form of an application sheet or something and they all have goals and reasons for doing what they're doing. I guess the problem I have here is presentation, in the previous games we got FMV endings for each character (unless you count our version of BaG2, haha) where we got a more animated glimpse into who they are as a person. In this game, every character's personality is summed up in a "What's your hobby? What would you do with a million yen? Who do you respect the most?" very cookie cutter level of characterization in my opinion. I only ask that each character had their own unique ending showcasing what they did after obtaining the Groovetron, rather than just explaining it to us.
I can't say I really cared about most of the characters. I like some of them, like Betty, Banbi (girl on the cover), Tomoe, Imawa, and Duck; but all in all I'll probably forget about the others in due time. Very unfortunate. I think if more time was spent fleshing them out, they could've been one of the game's stronger points.
Can't have a Bust a Groove game without a banger soundtrack though! Too bad this is hardly a Bust a Groove game. A majority of the songs aren't as catchy or charming as the previous tracks, I have about 2 that I actually enjoy listening to, the others are like, let's get this over with already. Quite a shame too. And unironically, I like the opening and the credits song more than the actual stages. How?!
Finally moving onto gameplay, it is no longer a 1v1 - head to head dance off. What this game is - is a missed opportunity. You're essentially competing with your team trying to rack up the most points out of all of them. It gives you time to read the button prompts, then gives you time to do them on beat.
One thing I wasn't quite sure how to wrap my head around was the "Free" part of the stage. Every 2 button prompts that show, it gives you a free spot to press whatever button you wish. And the outcome of pressing a button all varies depending on what your team picks as well. If you and all your other teammates pick a button that match, everybody gets a ton of points. Sounds good, right? Right. Well there are also other times where - for example; if you press X, and another bot presses X, and ANOTHER bot presses X, but the 4th bot presses something like Square or Triangle, points are deducted from EVERYONE ELSE, except the rebel who pressed an alternate button, and points are added to them instead. Dom Monaghan: wHy?
I found out early on that you can actually press a face button when an upcoming "Free" beat is on the measure, and it appears on your character's face icon. I would've figured this would be used to strategize with your fellowship, instead I really don't think it means jack chit. The bots do their own thing and it's hard to actually synchronize with them. Is it normal to hate my own team? Because I do. Stop stealing my gotdang points, Candy.
Now I think its interesting to talk about what I was exactly expecting before going into this. Of course, being very obsessed with Bust a Groove, I was expecting them to take the teams and actually having them being pitted AGAINST each other, sort of like a 4v4. If everyone's points accumulated at the end of the stage, it would actually entice players to actually strategize and want to work together, because if I'm being honest all I want to do in this game is screw everybody over... they started it!
Ultimately, this is not my favorite game. Not top 5, not top 10, probably top 50 because I haven't played that many PS2 games; but I can't really see myself playing this again. Funnily enough, the first thing I did after unlocking the final team was play a game of Bust a Groove 1. It doesn't really bring me any joy or pleasure saying I didn't enjoy this game. I really wanted to like it but when compared to what came before it... it's just not what it could've been.
Before I wrap up I want to spit out some small things that I actually do like about the game. Weirdly, I love the box art. Yeah, you can say its an odd choice but nothing screams early 2000s than a literally picture of a CRT screen. It's the AESTHETICS MAAAAAAN. I thought people were into that. I also do like the idea of teams, I just wish they; again, had teams pitted against each other rather than just one team trying to 1 up each other in the most random way possible. Those are just my thoughts anyway, maybe some people will prefer Dance Summit over the first two Bust a Groove games, and all I have to say to that is... I salute you for doing what I cannot.
Again, I feel really weird saying I didn't enjoy this game, but you know, if you really love something, explain to others why you dislike (using that word loosely) its third entry.
Played when it first came out, just now reviewing it.
It could've done a bit more, like have new trophies but overall it's a servicing expansion. Karai and Usagi are really good additions, and the ability to play as certain bosses is always cool to see. Alternate color pallets were also something I have been requesting since the game first came out, and I'm happy to see them finally being included... even if the Mirage re-colors were ruined by having multi colored headbands but I'm sure it was all for not having people get their turtles mixed up.
It could've done a bit more, like have new trophies but overall it's a servicing expansion. Karai and Usagi are really good additions, and the ability to play as certain bosses is always cool to see. Alternate color pallets were also something I have been requesting since the game first came out, and I'm happy to see them finally being included... even if the Mirage re-colors were ruined by having multi colored headbands but I'm sure it was all for not having people get their turtles mixed up.
This review contains spoilers
ARE YOU READY TO BUST A GROOVE?... 2?!
So if you know anything about me, you pretty much know that I've cemented the first game as my entire personality, I believe it is game is the greatest of all time, and it's the reason I am still a functioning member of society (two truths, one lie). So of course I was gonna write a long ass review about the sequel once I 100% it. The only question is... where do I start.
I see a lot of reviewers talking about how its basically the same game but more polished. I do agree that it's more polished, for starters; you can actually see the arrows you press and now you can counter their jammers. It's very satisfyingly reflecting an attack back, like this is their punishment for daring to mess up my groove.
In terms of the soundtrack, I think the songs hold up very well compared to the first game, but I still prefer the original themes of the characters. Speaking of characters, the selection is very cool. Returning characters get slick redesigns, like Shorty and Kelly. Some designs I do prefer the original, like Heat and Kitty-N (I think she looks better when her suit doesn't look so mechanical). Unfortunately, like an older Smash game, some fan favorites got the cut. Gas-O (who does technically appear in the game but I'll explain why he also technically doesn't), Frida, Pinky, and Hamm. I will never forget you. Especially Hamm. We also got a handful of new characters. Some are cool like Bi-O and Cosmo, some are... okay, like Tsutomu, and then there's WTF like Pander. Freaking Pander, dude.
I gotta dedicate an entire section in this review just to say, WHY IS HE EVEN IN HERE? WHY DOES HE EXIST? EVERYTIME I SEE HIM I FEEL LIKE I'M LOOKING AT SOMETHING I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO. You have each character beautifully drawn on the character selection screen (which I'll get into) by Hideyuki Tanaka, and then there's the manmade horror that is Pander. What's he even supposed to be- okay, I get it he's supposed to be a panda but why? What is his purpose? Is he just some kind of sick joke by the devs? Because it is pretty funny, I'm not going to lie. Funny, but equally disturbing.
So going back to something that doesn't appear in my nightmares and only in my dreams, the music is very good. Of course, whether or not the English or Japanese versions are better will always be up to the ear of the beholders, but I personally love the English versions of each song. I do think that when it comes to the returning characters, they are a bit lacking when compared to the themes from the first game, Hiro and Heat for example, but I do love Shorty's and Kitty-N's new music.
Also throwing some love onto the character selection screen for a bit. I mentioned earlier that each character (with one freaky exception) was beautifully drawn by Hideyuki Tanaka, and if you could so kindly direct your eyes to the cover of the game on this website you'll be able to get a good look at what I'm talking about. His style is very nostalgic and I think it fits the game very well. The screen also gives us some nice information about the character like their age, height kinda like you're looking at their physical or something. The only thing its really missing is a little character description box to give some backstory and background on them, and this wouldn't be necessary if they kept the endings for each character in the game...
This is quite possibly, the only main issue I have with this game, AT LEAST the version I played, because I am an American Bust a Groover. And this section of the review is why this is marked as spoiler.
For some reason, for some god awful reason, the American version does NOT have any of the character endings. When you beat the game, it sends you straight to the credits. No ending cutscene, you're only playing and then wham, credits. Where's the fun in that? One of the things I loved about the first game was how every character had an FMV for you to watch once you've beaten all the stages. In this game, you get nothing! You LOSE! GOOD DAY, SIR!
So if I really wanted to watch the endings for the characters I've beaten the game with, I'd have to go straight to YouTube. And if I'm watching it on YouTube, well then what's stopping me from just watching the others? It loses that kind of incentive. And I have to say, after watching all the endings, I do have some sort of hunch as to why this version in particular got rid of the endings... it was definitely the Beatles joke. And you know what? I thought it was slightly amusing. Sue me.
I need you to keep in mind that Bust a Groove is not a game that went without censorship, neither in the first game or this one. But this was just a whole 'nother level of candy assery on the localizer's part. First game got rid of some smoking and alcohol, as well as changed Hamm's design. Fine, whatever. I think Hamm looks better in our version anyway. But those were just model changes, THIS is quite literally, removing an entire series of cutscenes. I wouldn't even know things like Bi-O is actually Gas-O's father, or that Columbo was a gift from Shorty's parents to keep her company while they were busy at work. You have such a dynamic cast of flamboyant characters and completely decimate their flamboyant backstories. It's such a dunderheaded move (thought I was gonna say Groove, huh).
Reasons for censorship, I'm sure had to do with the E for everyone age rating. I know my opinion doesn't = fact (unless you count my opinion that BaG is the greatest game of all time, that right there IS a fact because I said so), but the series as a whole should've been a T rated franchise. It could've gotten away with so much more; especially here in the West, and I always thought the game in general was intended for a more older audience of kids too. Probably 13+. You're telling me these 13+ kids don't know what flask is used for? Quite funny.
So perhaps we were shirked of our version of the game. I guess it's better than what Europe got (the joke here is that this game didn't even release there), but the fact that our version in particular is missing a whole set of cutscenes is downright disappointing. Maybe the Japanese version is the superior one, but I like the English music too much to really switch. If you enjoyed the first game, you will definitely love this one. And if you can get over the absence of actual endings (or just play the Japanese version) you may even like it better than the first. As for me, I prefer the first game a bit more, but still love this like it was a son. A twin son. And I had just a bit more love for the other son.
So if you know anything about me, you pretty much know that I've cemented the first game as my entire personality, I believe it is game is the greatest of all time, and it's the reason I am still a functioning member of society (two truths, one lie). So of course I was gonna write a long ass review about the sequel once I 100% it. The only question is... where do I start.
I see a lot of reviewers talking about how its basically the same game but more polished. I do agree that it's more polished, for starters; you can actually see the arrows you press and now you can counter their jammers. It's very satisfyingly reflecting an attack back, like this is their punishment for daring to mess up my groove.
In terms of the soundtrack, I think the songs hold up very well compared to the first game, but I still prefer the original themes of the characters. Speaking of characters, the selection is very cool. Returning characters get slick redesigns, like Shorty and Kelly. Some designs I do prefer the original, like Heat and Kitty-N (I think she looks better when her suit doesn't look so mechanical). Unfortunately, like an older Smash game, some fan favorites got the cut. Gas-O (who does technically appear in the game but I'll explain why he also technically doesn't), Frida, Pinky, and Hamm. I will never forget you. Especially Hamm. We also got a handful of new characters. Some are cool like Bi-O and Cosmo, some are... okay, like Tsutomu, and then there's WTF like Pander. Freaking Pander, dude.
I gotta dedicate an entire section in this review just to say, WHY IS HE EVEN IN HERE? WHY DOES HE EXIST? EVERYTIME I SEE HIM I FEEL LIKE I'M LOOKING AT SOMETHING I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO. You have each character beautifully drawn on the character selection screen (which I'll get into) by Hideyuki Tanaka, and then there's the manmade horror that is Pander. What's he even supposed to be- okay, I get it he's supposed to be a panda but why? What is his purpose? Is he just some kind of sick joke by the devs? Because it is pretty funny, I'm not going to lie. Funny, but equally disturbing.
So going back to something that doesn't appear in my nightmares and only in my dreams, the music is very good. Of course, whether or not the English or Japanese versions are better will always be up to the ear of the beholders, but I personally love the English versions of each song. I do think that when it comes to the returning characters, they are a bit lacking when compared to the themes from the first game, Hiro and Heat for example, but I do love Shorty's and Kitty-N's new music.
Also throwing some love onto the character selection screen for a bit. I mentioned earlier that each character (with one freaky exception) was beautifully drawn by Hideyuki Tanaka, and if you could so kindly direct your eyes to the cover of the game on this website you'll be able to get a good look at what I'm talking about. His style is very nostalgic and I think it fits the game very well. The screen also gives us some nice information about the character like their age, height kinda like you're looking at their physical or something. The only thing its really missing is a little character description box to give some backstory and background on them, and this wouldn't be necessary if they kept the endings for each character in the game...
This is quite possibly, the only main issue I have with this game, AT LEAST the version I played, because I am an American Bust a Groover. And this section of the review is why this is marked as spoiler.
For some reason, for some god awful reason, the American version does NOT have any of the character endings. When you beat the game, it sends you straight to the credits. No ending cutscene, you're only playing and then wham, credits. Where's the fun in that? One of the things I loved about the first game was how every character had an FMV for you to watch once you've beaten all the stages. In this game, you get nothing! You LOSE! GOOD DAY, SIR!
So if I really wanted to watch the endings for the characters I've beaten the game with, I'd have to go straight to YouTube. And if I'm watching it on YouTube, well then what's stopping me from just watching the others? It loses that kind of incentive. And I have to say, after watching all the endings, I do have some sort of hunch as to why this version in particular got rid of the endings... it was definitely the Beatles joke. And you know what? I thought it was slightly amusing. Sue me.
I need you to keep in mind that Bust a Groove is not a game that went without censorship, neither in the first game or this one. But this was just a whole 'nother level of candy assery on the localizer's part. First game got rid of some smoking and alcohol, as well as changed Hamm's design. Fine, whatever. I think Hamm looks better in our version anyway. But those were just model changes, THIS is quite literally, removing an entire series of cutscenes. I wouldn't even know things like Bi-O is actually Gas-O's father, or that Columbo was a gift from Shorty's parents to keep her company while they were busy at work. You have such a dynamic cast of flamboyant characters and completely decimate their flamboyant backstories. It's such a dunderheaded move (thought I was gonna say Groove, huh).
Reasons for censorship, I'm sure had to do with the E for everyone age rating. I know my opinion doesn't = fact (unless you count my opinion that BaG is the greatest game of all time, that right there IS a fact because I said so), but the series as a whole should've been a T rated franchise. It could've gotten away with so much more; especially here in the West, and I always thought the game in general was intended for a more older audience of kids too. Probably 13+. You're telling me these 13+ kids don't know what flask is used for? Quite funny.
So perhaps we were shirked of our version of the game. I guess it's better than what Europe got (the joke here is that this game didn't even release there), but the fact that our version in particular is missing a whole set of cutscenes is downright disappointing. Maybe the Japanese version is the superior one, but I like the English music too much to really switch. If you enjoyed the first game, you will definitely love this one. And if you can get over the absence of actual endings (or just play the Japanese version) you may even like it better than the first. As for me, I prefer the first game a bit more, but still love this like it was a son. A twin son. And I had just a bit more love for the other son.