Dance Dance Revolution UNIVERSE

Overview

DDR Universe is the first DDR game made for HD-capable machines and is an Xbox 360 exclusive. Gameplay remains largely unchanged using the Dance Mat though the game can be played using the 360 controller. The game features a variety of familiar modes improved for the new generation.

Gameplay

The basics of the gameplay established by previous games in the series remains unchanged. Using the Dance Mat players must step in the appropriate direction which is dictated by the arrows that appear on the screen. These actions range from simple directional manoeuvres to and intense acrobatics. Using the Xbox 360 controller, the D pad and face buttons (X, Y, B, A) serve the same directional purpose. The game demands the use of both the D pad and the face buttons since pressing down on the D pad cancels out the ability to press up, hence the Y button emulates this function.

Groove Radar

Players can rely on a graphical representation to indicate just how demanding a song will be and in what way, based on the difficulty level that they choose.

• Stream: Indicates the amount of steps
• Voltage: Indicates the density of steps
• Air: Indicates the amount of double steps and jumps
• Freeze: Indicates the intensity of freeze arrows (continuous notes)
• Chaos: Indicates the intensity of off-beat notes

Modes

Game Mode

In game mode you can play the default set of songs to try and earn the highest "AAA" grade.

Party Mode

Contains a subset of minigames for up to 4 players

• Power: An endurance game that contains 5 special song mixes from previous games.
• Speed: Players must clear all arrows as fast as possible
• Attack: Each direction is tied to a power up. Succesful hits fill up the meter. The power ups are automatically used against the opponent.
• Bomb: Make a combo before the bomb blows and pass it to the other player.
• Sync: Players must keep each other's steps synchronized to succeed.
• Triple: Play using three dance mats at once, or with two other players
• Quad: Same principal, only with 4 dance mats or players.
• Point: Starting with 16 points the player with the least accuracy per step, loses a point.
• Score: Player with the highest score at the end of the song, wins.
• Relay: Players take turns on a song.

Quest Mode

In quest mode you travel across a map of the United States in order to battle against other dancers and eventually become the champion of all competitions. The overhead view is similar to that of a board game and the player must pay a small amount of money each time he advances. Hiring back up dancers will speed up the process when building your fever meter in a crowd pleasing event. The game will present the player with specific challenges like upholding a combo or only hitting freeze arrows. In battle, players can pick their song of choice which gives them an advantage. Playing in Quest Mode is the only way to unlock new songs.

Challenge Mode

As the title suggests this mode is the most challenging one in the game. It features a variety of minigames spread across 10 increasing difficulties in which the songs are pre-determined. The difficulties are:

• Simple
• Moderate
• Ordinary
• Superior
• Marvelous
• Genuine
• Paramount
• Eorbitant
• Catastrophic
• Apocalyptic

Additional Modes

Other modes include: Xbox Live, Training, Edit Mode, Workout Mode, Jukebox, A list of Records and a simplified version of the game called Basic Edition.

Visual Style

The game makes use of flashy patterns and vivid colors superimposed over anime style characters performing dance routines. A minority of the songs feature their original music video.

Soundtrack

Downloadable Content

The following songs are available for purchase on the Xbox Live Marketplace separately for 80 Microsoft Points ($0.99) each, or as part of the two Mega Packs for 800 Microsoft Points ($9.99) each.

These songs are not available in some European countries.

Mega Pack 1

Mega Pack 2

Xbox 360 Game Installation

Dance Dance Revolution Universe requires 3.4GB of space to install on an Xbox 360 HDD.