Ok, I’ll admit it. The reason I started posting again was to have a venue to put all of these ridiculously catchy DJ Max songs that have been bustling through my head over the past few weeks. Now I’ve been a fan of DJ Max for a while but lately it’s been making a resurgence as I work my way through Black Square and Clazziquai. Also have a serious jones to play more Technika at some point as well.
DJ Max is a series of bemani style rhythm games for the PSP by Korean developer Pentavision, known for their original soundtracks, sense of style and astounding difficulty during high level play. Learning the game is like learning an instrument in a way as the falling note charts blend rhythm, vocal and instrumental lines seemingly at random, creating a chaotic mix that can be incredibly rewarding when performed well. Different modes are available for different skill sets, which helps ease in new players to the gameplay mechanics. But the first thing a newcomer would probably notice is damn, this game is mad Japanese.
And then I would respond in a nerdy voice that actually the developer is Korean, but there’s no question about it – this game is unabashedly full of eastern style artwork and animation, flashy lights, lazy English translation and music that would be a fitting bookend to any number of popular anime programs. Yet the music is what keeps me coming back – wildly creative at times, all over the map stylistically, a ton of fun to play. From electropop to happycore, modern R&B to soulful drum n’ bass, DJ Max has a little something for everyone. And with 5 portable releases (only one officially for the U.S.) plus Technika, there is plenty of it to go around at this point.
Pentavision calls upon a stable of artists and producers for their games (3rd Coast, Croove, and ND Lee are some of the more prolific ones) and the tracks are often heavily produced for the sake of better gameplay. Thematically everything fits together nicely despite the wide range of influences, because when it comes down to it the overall sound is that of a very good, very quirky videogame soundtrack. Today’s group of tunes are pulled from the DJ Max Technika soundtrack but they all first appeared in Black Square. More to come over the week, why not
Humming Urban Stereo – Honeymoon
ND Lee – Y
bermei.inazawa – Melody
Urbatronic Chopsticks – Play the FUTURE
Makou – Voyage
