[luvcraft]

I was ALL OVER the news of Ouendan; a goofy rhythm-based game where you play a team of super-cheerleaders who spring into action to help people through really mundane things! Awesome! I was strongly considering importing it, even though my Japanese is fairly mediocre and I knew I wouldn't understand most of it. Then I heard that it was being "remade" for America as Elite Beat Agents; I was skeptical at first, but Gamespot's previews convinced me that it kept the gameplay and wackiness of the Japanese original, but transplanted it to an American setting.

This was not a lie; the gameplay is intact, the wackiness is indeed very intact but just transplanted to an American setting (in the first mission you help a babysitter and her quarterback boyfriend take care of some unruly kids, and it's actually really entertaining).

HOWEVER: The music is almost entirely terrible covers of "popular" songs that have already become overplayed and lost their popularity, like "sk8r boi" and "Rock This Town". I don't know for sure, but I feel fairly confident that the music in the Japanese version was written specifically for the game, which would've been SO much better.

ATTENTION GAME COMPANIES! Do not use "current" music in your games, because it will no longer be current by the time the game comes out, it will make your game seem dated even when it's brand new, and everyone will probably be sick of the songs by then or soon after, which will impair their enjoyment of your game!

[luvcraft]

[luvcraft]

[luvcraft]

[luvcraft]

SuperWes, I agree with your review enough that now I'm anxious to play more of it when I get home tonight, because the characters, situations, and gameplay ARE more compelling than the soundtrack is de-compelling.

[luvcraft]

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[luvcraft]

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