Apologies for the long wait for my review, but I wanted to make sure that I gave each entry as much of a fair analysis as I could. Anyway, here are my usual standards for judgment.
Expert & Secondary Steps:10 - Top quality
9 - High quality with few flaws
8 or lower - Standard quality with few more flaws
Presentation:5 - Graphics fit and video is included (with exceptions when listed)
4 - Graphics fit without video (with exceptions when listed)
3 or lower - Graphics are lacking in some capacity
BAAM!Expert Steps: 10/10
Somehow I can sense quality when I ghost step between the arrow gaps simply because chart is that impressive! There's plenty going on with this chart while not being overbearing with the arrows, which is where this chart fits as a solid level 8. Everything fits from the jumps on the BAAM parts to the repeated arrows on the chorus. Incredibly satisfying to play!
Difficult Steps: 10/10
First sentence for the Expert steps still applies here. The 4th-8th-4th note combinations worked really well being saved for crucial parts of the song, where others were saved for jump arrows.
A lot of quality was shown for this level 6 chart, because it's tricky for a Difficult chart but still fair in its execution.
Presentation: 5/5
Going full-on with the comic book SFX theme really adds to the visual creativity. Even despite the visuals appearing originally in the music video (kudos for that as well), the graphics expand on that theme as if coming straight from a comic book. I see absolutely zero flaws with the graphics, as they manage to exceed expectations from this song alone!
Total: 25/25
Be With YouExpert Steps: 7/10
I feel like I really wanted to enjoy this chart like other songs of a similar genre, but something just seemed quite off. I believe it's because I wanted the chart to keep me interested throughout and it didn't quite work. The creative use of the hold arrows was the best part of this chart, though it didn't appear to carry the song well enough. An effort was made and I do commend that, but the chart needed more energy to it so that it didn't feel like I was waiting for the song to end.
By the way, I don't ding this chart for being off-sync. Trust me, I've seen Chris4Life re-sync chart while playing them for the ECFM competition a lot and usually that's just a minute or two of fixing. Audio sync varies sometimes, but Stepmania is usually great in correcting that, so yeah. No worries!
Difficult Charts: 9/10
Seems like this chart has a lot more going in great ways. One pattern that you will see in my judgment of Difficult charts is how symmetrical the arrow placements are. They don't always bring causes to score 10 out of 10, but a lot more enjoyability comes in noticing that which really helps, such as in this chart.
The chart was still kind of a struggle for getting me interested, yet the chart felt arranged well that I still did want to continue playing. This isn't a perfect chart, but it still has nice execution going on!
Presentation: 4/5
This is probably more like what my presentation should have looked like (Mirror Prism), because there is a lot of color variety as well as good use of font design. The jacket does deviate from the background and the banner, though most would expect that in order to reference what album the song came from. I also enjoy how the "BE WITH YOU" text uses a different color from the banner to the background, where the background's text has a little sparkle to add to the variety.
The design is simplistic, but has plenty of color to keep a visual appeal.
Total: 20/25
Booty Me DownExpert Steps: 10/10
Wow does this chart really deliver here! All the arrows go perfectly with each segment of the song while you're constantly kept focused on reading the chart. The arrow patterns repeat enough that you know where you're at in the song, but it's also not overly repetitive. This chart felt way more fun and satisfying than it had the place to be, because it had as much passion going with it as the rapper's rave about them booties.
Difficult Steps: 9/10
This is so close to another 10 out of 10, but it seems to have a little less energy than the Expert steps. With that said, I was very glad to see the arrow waver left and right on...certain lyrics regarding cheeks, just for honesty sake. I feel like when a song specifically mentions a direction, it's almost criminal when the arrows don't waver that direction. A lot of arrow patterns like the Expert chart with an added bit of symmetry in them.
Very close to perfection as this chart is still quite fun to play.
Presentation: 4/5
For a disclaimer, I'm not as much judging on the basis of lewdness. Even if the intentions were clear, the graphics do not deteriorate from the quality.
With that being said, I think the presentation is about as good as I'd expect for such a song. The graphics cross the line for being too lewd, but also wavers near that line to show some element of restraint. Despite that, the colors and fonts still work to provide the right amount of quality.
I still am dinging this 1 point for the awkward scenario the visuals present, but honestly I can't say graphics are great but video would be nice...we know what can of worms I'd open if I'd suggest that.
Total: 23/25
Count What You Have NowExpert Steps: 10/10
Another entirely satisfying chart. The arrows are placed really well in the specific parts of the song that I jived just as well as I should have with the song itself. The hold arrows were uniquely placed too, as some where longer than usual to enforce crossing over to stay facing forward afterwards. This song had a very joyful feel to it and this chart successfully captured that completely.
Difficult Steps: 10/10
A 10 out of 10 emerges here as well! The arrow symmetry works very well and every part of this song is represented perfectly in this chart. I can see where this would be a level 5 just to keep the gap from the Expert chart, but for some reason this chart still feels like a 6 to me. Either that or this could just be considered a hard level 5 instead, which I think can work as well.
This chart captures the mood very much akin to the Expert steps, which is a huge plus in my book!
Presentation: 4/5
As consistent and standard as it gets. The already made jacket was intentionally basic, and the background and banner both complement that all the same. Not much creativity was used to diversify the graphics, but the presentation still works as well as one would expect.
Total: 24/25
Fly on the Wings of LoveExpert Steps: 8/10
Something about this chart seemed off from my playthrough. There's a certain feeling from charts like this that even DDR had where it felt like I was fighting to see the patterns realizing there weren't many at all. It works in a similar way to charts in DDR and perhaps this usually nets a 10 out of 10 for other people, but I'm willing to vouch that some others don't enjoy it too well either.
8 out of 10 works here, because the vision is still there and the chart still makes sense in its own way.
Challenge Steps: 10/10
So I think I realized something from this chart that a much better impression for me than the Expert steps. It feels very honest about the complexity of its chart with the song. Expert just felt like it wanted to be both simple and complex back and forth and I think that was what the struggle was.
In contrast to this however, I almost could've went to the argument that this could've fit as a song for In the Groove. *gasp* The horror in mentioning that blasphemy! But here's where this fit here too...this is a similar step chart style to what was used for Challenge charts for DDR Ultramix and Universe.
With that all said, I REALLY enjoyed this chart as it is enjoyably tricky and not hard at all to read. Quite frankly I think we need to ask such questions as "Why aren't there more charts like this in the DDR arcades?" because this chart proves how much of that is a lost art that deserves far greater attention in DDR!
Presentation: 3/5
This one was kind of hard to judge because I kind of understood its intent. I am aware that some step chart creators use images from already established characters for unrelated songs. I understand that for some people that's the style they choose, but I still struggle to find that working for a contest that aims for some level of authenticity.
The other downside is linked to the font colors not blending well with the background. Last but not least (but could be my version of Stepmania), the text was covered when the background was displayed...but again that could just be on my end.
Now to the brighter news, I actually can see the graphics working for this song, as a character (Winona from Pokemon in this case) posing in conjunction with the wind. If this song was presented with that as the general aesthetic, I do think this could be at least be a 4. Just the font and character used (not licensed) would bump that up here.
Total: 21/25
Hallucination XXXExpert Steps: 8/10
This chart is a harder sell for me than usual, even though it fills a similar purpose to that of songs like Arrabiatta. Usually the interpretation of this song was as a boss song that uses a 110-220-440bpm formula, in which that would fit more as something from DDR X and beyond. Since this chart fits for BEFORE then, of course a solid level 9 or 10 works better, except the song also doesn't feel like something before DDR X. I think what happens is this song has a more awkward placement in this interpretation than usual.
With that all said, I do believe the chart itself is still great (with much kudos to the AFRONOVA jumps displayed here). This is probably the best way someone would make this song work in a pre-DDR X environment and that works well enough.
Difficult Steps: 9/10
I felt more sold on this chart simply because the chart felt so much like a Difficult chart for a boss song, which can include the pseudo-boss songs like Arrabiatta. It recognizes its purpose as pushing for stamina but only saves the most notable jumps for the AFRONOVA jumps that remained here. Arrow symmetry was also applied in quite a few segments of this chart, which is always nice as well.
I could definitely see this a good paveway for people to embrace trickier charts, because there's a lot of complexity going on, but it's easy to read as well.
Presentation: 4/5
In the same vein as Count What You Have Now, the banner and jacket complement each other as consistent with each other (as the jacket originating from CrossXBeats). The background...is tolerable, but does ruin the consistency the other two graphics bring. Usually different graphics work somehow, but the album cover reference completely contradicts the aesthetic used from the jacket. I'd almost ding this down to a 3, but the background doesn't exactly hurt the presentation as much as it just doesn't work.
Regardless, the presentation is still quite solid overall.
Total: 21/25
ItsukoExpert Steps: 10/10
This chart has a lot going where it feels as if the arrow stepping is louder than the song itself, yet somehow it's incredibly satisfying in that regard. There is a lot of variety going on with this song and it feels perfect for something you'd see in a DDR Ultramix & Universe chart.
An extremely high quality level 9 and easy to understand as well.
Difficult Steps: 9/10
I feel like the first sentence for the Expert steps also applies in this chart. There is a lot of reason to keep playing for having some high stamina qualities, but in a slower tempo. Practically the only down side of this chart comes with its lack of patterns, where it comes close to being hard to focus playing. However, because this is a Difficult level chart, players of that level will need to focus a lot more to keep up.
There's still a lot to enjoy with these steps and like similar entries in this event, this is a good bridge to getting players into harder charts.
Presentation: 5/5
The very second I saw the graphics I knew exactly the theme going on. For those that don't know, the abstract style and extremely basic font as an aesthetic that was common in the DDR Ultramix & Universe games. While that graphical style hasn't exactly won awards for "Top Best Banner and Backgrounds", it was quietly embraced as an ongoing theme for a certain divison of Konami.
Of course hearing this song by a DDR Ultramix composer, in tandem with the graphics mimicking the aesthetic used for this composer's songs, earned this entry a 5 in presentation. In this case, the nostalgia was not the only primary reason, The colors and font styles also work together to give this entry a satisfactory visual appeal.
Total: 24/25
OOPS! I DID IT AGAIN (Rise Team Eurobeat Bootleg)Heavy Steps: 9/10
This chart scores very well in mimicking the Pre-DDR SuperNOVA era of Eurobeat music, where a lot of different patterns were being presented in a very brief period of the song. Sometimes fast parts would be at the beginning and end of the song, but the chart would aim to lay some jackhammers at some point. The minor downside is that there could be a slight more variety in arrow placement. Regardless, this entry is authentic in its intended aesthetic and about as close to perfection as one would expect.
Difficult Steps: 10/10
I was pulled between making this a 9 or a 10, but the latter was chosen due to how well structured the arrows were placed, even despite the song's semi-sporadic nature. Even with the consecutive jumps, it fit as a separate part of the song, so somebody could pick that part up quickly should they struggle with it more than usual.
This chart feels genuinely interesting and worth playing quite a number of times.
Presentation: 5/5
This presentation practically took the graphics of the DDR classic to a whole new level. The red color scheme adds to the panic in believing someone's more than just a friend, almost like you're going to get hunted down for it Metal Gear style!
The video clips also help capture the aesthetic of the song being carried over for DDR MAX through EXTREME. The graphics do best in capturing nostalgia and simplicity while describing the song so visually well.
Total: 24/25
QUAKEExpert Steps: 9/10
This feels like a solid 9 in well...both this score and in level. I have talked about how "Hallucination XXX" fits more as a post-DDR SuperNOVA 2 song, while this does just as well. But to be consistent here, this song and chart feels fitting in BOTH the pre-era and the post-era. The seemingly confusing variety of 4th, 8th, and 16th notes in the middle of the song certainly seems like something classic Konami would do to trip players up a bit. Meanwhile, the speed-up and all-around design of the chart feels genuinely like a new entry in DDR A20+.
This chart is ambitious, but also feels at home with DDR players alike.
Difficult Steps: 9/10
This chart was a mixed bag for me. There wasn't much of an arrow pattern going on and I was also pleasantly surprised by the 16th notes being included here in a similar vein to the Expert chart. Somehow it just felt overly tricky, not excluding the single arrows leading to a jump. Despite that, this also felt so much like what Konami would do to make this chart much harder to perfect than others of the same level.
This felt like an 8 out of 10, and yet still works well as a trickier Difficult level chart.
Presentation: 5/5
Oddly enough, the graphics used for this entry actually made this song feel like a song from a new composer in the making, at least at first glance. What I did not realize until I researched the song was that it had its own jacket for Sound Voltex.
The font for the song name does appear overly busy, but there still is an execution to the design that makes it fit very well. It was good to add a different color to behind the text for the banner just for adding variety to the presentation.
Lastly, the music video is perfect for this song, keeping the same greenish color scheme in the beginning so it transitions to the background well. The fact that this presentation goes its separate way from Sound Voltex and accomplishes it so well gives this a 5 out of 5!
Total: 23/25
Sore wa hanabi no youna koi (それは花火のような恋)Expert Steps: 9/10
This chart feels close to an 8 out of 10 only because there doesn't appear to be much creativity going on. However, this also felt like just the right kind of chart for the song. A lot of attention is needed to play as the chart is more stamina-inducing for a level 8, and I feel it stands to reason that this chart needed to be safer with its lesser variety.
Obviously this entire entry feels like something out of DDR A20+, but it also felt like a standard BEMANI crossover, such as Raspberry♡Heart from SuperNOVA 2. Still a pretty solid chart!
Challenge Steps: 8/10
This is very much what I would expect if this chart was a cross between a level 9 and 10 (or 14 in the post-SuperNOVA 2 level scale). This chart flows as well as it should for how stamina inducing it is, and that's fine. Unlike the Expert steps, I would not expect this as a pre-DDR X chart, but it still works very well.
Presentation: 5/5
From this presentation, I expected nothing more and nothing less. Graphical consistency remains throughout and the banner works perfectly to add just a little more visual than the jacket and background.
Most people would expect more than just using graphics from an already established source, but everything remains simple and appealing where if this was made to preserve a new entry from DDR A20+, it would exceed even those expectations.
Not every presentation needs to deviate from the original BEMANI source, because this one is absolutely complete with music video and all.
Total: 22/25
Sunshine (Wippenberg Remix)Expert Steps: 9/10
I'll try not be biased of this entry, because it feels like my favorite jam thus far. I'm rather consistent with rating these the same as their levels, but I think there are legit reasons for this one. The chart straight-up builds up to what a level 9 does, much like So Deep (Perfect Sphere Mix). While not quite in the same caliber of quality, the intentions are there and they work quite well. I really enjoyed where the freezes aligned when "Sunshine" was sung. That was a nice touch that helped keep my interest with the rest of the song.
There were a couple parts where I got confused where to place my feet around the end, but overall a good impression was made here.
Difficult Steps: 10/10
I was pleasantly surprised with this chart. Everything just felt so right between how the arrows were laid out and the symmetry involved a large part of the way. It's too hard to ignore any form of arrow symmetry and this was practically perfect in that regard. The arrows worked really well when "Sunshine" was sung here too, taking a different approach than usual.
Incredibly enjoyable chart all the way!
Presentation: 4/5
This presentation seemed like a mixed bag to me where it felt like it could have either been a 3 or 4 here. It seemed like there was something about the designs that seemed overly basic and expected. It's hard to know how to describe it, other than it seems like it lacks complexity of sorts, perhaps with the text.
On the flip side, the silhouette of the "hands up" works absolutely as it should, given that is the literal genre that this song represents. The general idea of people jumping in the air to this song being played at a crucial time where the sun shines, definitely captures the feel of the song in this presentation.
The graphics do fit as 4 out of 5 quality just barely, which is still a good thing for giving the right feel to such an upbeat song.
Total: 23/25
Umbrella BeachExpert Steps: 9/10
This chart does an excellent job capturing both the calm and energetic portions of this song. This feels so much like a licensed song on DDR done right, there's a certain nostalgia that sets this off all the same. The long hold arrows flow really well once the song calms, but not too long before getting back to the upbeat rhythm.
Another nearly perfect entry for this joyful track!
Difficult Steps: 9/10
A lighter version of the Expert chart, but the theme is still carried in this chart. The only thing that surprised me was the expectation to cross your legs over with some hold arrows, because usually that is not expected even for a level 5. In a bit of my defense, this could be a good introduction for people to learn to do that for harder charts down the road.
Still a very solid chart overall!
Presentation: 5/5
The graphics look gorgeous in this presentation! The song title feels like something that the DDR team would make, but on a more direct note, the green, blue and yellow work very well in capturing the beautiful colors of the beach. The bird's eye view of the umbrellas add a nice touch as well, keeping the visuals just busy enough.
The video clips used are also amazing, bringing a sense of peace that flows with the song really well. The "underwater Ferris wheel" that shows up right at the moment those lyrics are sung, feels great to see every time I play this entry.
This presentation just seems perfect, as expectations where certainly shattered here. Despite not being the most upbeat tune, there is enough going on visually to continue to guage interest.
Total: 23/25
UP N DOWNExpert Steps: 9/10
It probably doesn't come as a suprise that I'm constantly checking to see how often this song uses the up and down arrows. Surprisingly it is not too much and yet, those arrows seem to be used for the more crucial parts of the chart, which is even better. Most arrows used are just for standard tricky level 9 shenanigans, and then the hold arrows come in and really add to the feeling of the song.
A very impressive level 9 that exceeded a bit more than expected.
Difficult Steps: 9/10
The up and down arrow shenanigans continue, albeit in a slightly bit tamer fashion. There wasn't as much carrying the chart where there would instead be complex note patterns in the Expert chart, but it makes sense as by Difficult chart standards it's tricky with its many 8th note patterns.
Still a fun chart worth sticking to the beat on.
Presentation: 4/5
There is a lot going on visually with this entry, and yet it still looks very appealing. The shades of purple feel quite nice, you see little bubbles in the background, the song title's font is abstract yet easy to read, and the up and down arrows complement the song title well fulfilling the same purpose are in opposing sides of the image.
The artist logo does break away from the aesthetic with its more potent purple outline, but the shapes replacing some parts of the text are a nice touch.
It's quite evident that a lot of effort was put in this presentation, as a lot was shown in the right ways.
Total: 22/25
WHO THE HELL ARE YOU (Original Mix - Edit)Expert Steps: 10/10
Guess I have to reiterate my stance on my appreciation for having that urge to ghost step between the arrow gaps. I don't expect this to ALWAYS be my take for why every chart is perfect, but exactly like "BAAM!" the way it's executed feels perfect. There are some complex jackhammers in other areas, and those help build this song up to a level 8, so it only seemed fair to leave in those gaps.
Everything just felt so right with this chart and honestly I wished DDR licenses were as enjoyable as this.
Difficult Steps: 10/10
I almost liked this chart even more than the Expert steps! Once again, the motivation to ghost step is back and even better is the fact that there are consistent arrow patterns that are so incredibly satisfying to read. This chart just feels so enjoyable and well worth the 10 out of 10 in my book.
Presentation: 5/5
This presentation is very straight-forward in its vision and it shows. The song title being red (and orange) remains the primary hook as you feel like you did something wrong...even though you likely didn't. The background has different colors and shapes and is a nice deviation from the banner and jacket. Even the jacket, despite slightly emulating the banner, has a large blue border to keep it from being precisely the same.
All the colors just work and the outline in all the text does well making everything easy to read.
The music video is a very nice touch and honestly does feel like something from a licensed song in DDR. It really captures that mood, which still carries through in DDR to this day. The video does seem kind of blurry, but that's not a real issue as not everything needs to be "1080p, 60fps" quality.
Everything said, 5 out of 5 fits here as well!
Total: 25/25
World Coming DownExpert Steps: 8/10
I will be honest with this chart. It feels like a 9 out of 10 on many accounts, but the accounts that matter more are where this is in a similar issue to "Hallucination XXX". This particular take of this song is hard to envision in pre-DDR SuperNOVA 2 and post, except for the off-chance that the Ultramix & Universe team would consider this.
Honestly that is my only criticism here, because this chart also feels like a good level 10. It's chaotic and energetic in a lot of the right ways and best of all, the chart forces you to cross your legs over whenever "all around" is being sung. I sense some heart put into this chart, and that's a pretty darn good thing!
Challenge Steps: 9/10
I feel like I can give chart a bit more leeway, because at this point the chart comes across in a formula that boss songs have had since DDR EXTREME. There are more arrows than usual, but it's very much expected and not even unlikely as something Konami would pull off. People would still play this chart as a nice stamina pusher, for example.
The crossing legs part that I referred to above is still used, which helps. A point is dinged as usually non-licensed songs are the ones that have the role this chart is playing. Still not too bad!
Presentation: 3/5
So after seeing the visuals of this entry, I glanced over for images regarding "Ashbury Heights" and I can see that the visuals do make some effort to capture the abstract nature of this band. The angle of the image is off-balance, the song title literally coming down, both replicating the feel of the world falling apart. As far as that is concerned, I see what is trying to be expressed here.
Where it appears the presentation stumbles is that the text and font used did not capture that same amount of expression. The blue in "World" suddenly having a green for "r" didn't exactly help, but I think a lot more needed to be shown in the font department.
There appear to be different fonts used to represent "Ashbury Heights" so learning to replicate that by getting similar fonts, then adding filters to the text, all can only help this presentation. There is a bunch of good free graphic design software that can also help make that easier.
I don't think too much needs to be criticized in this presentation...at least nothing too overbearing. The graphics here are a good start, but if more time is put on it, this can easily bump up to a 4 or even 5 out of 5. Best of luck!
Total: 20/25