I know Angela has done something like this before.. but.. I need to do it or I just won't feel good about myself, plus I'm slightly buzzed right now (happy holidays! )

Everyone who owns a DS (or even if you don't) needs to get this game.  This is easily the most fun I've had with a game in years.. possibly even a decade!  Seriously.  As I was telling Zane yesterday.. this game had my heart racing and had me sweating like mad due to the crazyness of later levels, and I'm only playing on normal (btw.. RSG is evil).  I have *never* had this much fun with a handheld game EVER!  If you like music/rhythm games or just solid, fun games.. PICK THIS UP NOW, it's worth the 50 bucks or so (that's what I paid) to import it.  The songs (LINDA LINDA!!!), the addicting gameplay, the characters, the bizarre little scenarios for each level.. everything.. amazing.  PLUS.. minor spoiler for those who haven't played it but.. this game actually made me shed a tear!  Yes, for real.  I'm sure Angela knows what part I'm talking about and can relate, unless I'm just a big wuss (which is entirely possible, heh).  Anyway.. drunken rambling over.. GET THIS GAME NOW!

*goes back to hating Normal RSG for it's offbeat-ness*

-Mike

Like you need an excuse, man.

This topic makes me weep with joy; it feels strange that for once, *I'm* not doing the gushing.  But goddamn, I'm just so happy that Ouendan is finally getting exposure here at STC.  You guys really do rock for at least giving the game a try -- and I'm glad the dividends are paying off.

I seriously wish I could erase my memory, and re-discover the magic of playing the game for the very first time.  Because right now, I know every song like the back of my hand, and have "S" ranked every song on every difficulty level. 

(My anticipation for Elite Beat Agents just got kicked up a thousand notches.)

I just caved and got this at YesAsia today cause I'd been wanting this for so long...and the hype around here pushed me over the edge I found a coupon code for new customers (WGASIA5), $5 off $30+, which gets you the game for $39.99 shipped...the best deal I could find among the online retailers. Looking forward to getting this little gem in my hands

I just got to this one last night.  WTF indeed.  It seems like I can't get 300s to save my life in this stage.  At least it's difficulty is worthy of being the last stage, I guess.

True that.  I've played this level about 20 times already and I only made it past the first scene (which I got a big red X on, naturally) ONE TIME!  This could take a few weeks to get past.  I loooove a good challenge though, and that's exactly what this is.  The only other level that game me some trouble so far was the one with the giant blue rat creature.  Took me maybe 10 tries but now I can breeze through it with no problems.

Any tips Angela?  How the HELL did you manage to get an S rank in every level/difficulty btw?  You are a gaming god.

-Mike

Elite Beat Agents is not just a US release of Ouendan?

Sort of. It has all new songs, all new characters and all new stories. It's almost more of a sequel. Unless the songs are absolute pants, I think it will be worth owning both. Given that we know already that the songs in the JP version are great, there is no excuse for not owning it.

No excuses!

OUENDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!

I have two excuses why I don't own it:  I can't read Japanese.  I don't see the point of spending more for a game that I won't understand.

You are right; EBA sounds more like a sequel and less like a domestic release... quite lame.

Lame? Hard to say - the game, given the way it is put together, would always have needed a considerable reworking for a western market. I'm happy they are actually putting the effort in.

Wasn't that just one excuse? The first sentence really only served to clarify the second rather than being a point in itself. As for not understanding Japanese, it's really not an issue. The stories are told in pictures like a comic book and are pretty simple. Very simple actually.

Don't worry, Jay.  We'll reel Ryu in eventually.  Him, and avatar.  ;) 

Heh, I would say my "finishing the game two hundred times over" was NOT meant to be taken as hyperbole.  I think it really did take me that long to perfect everything.  The funny thing about RSG on Normal Mode is that it's far harder than it is on Hard Mode.  RSG Normal's timing is particularly tough, because as you say, it's very offbeat, with a lot of dotted quarter notes that make it hard to hit on rhythm.  On the other hand, RSG on Hard has many more notes, but they follow a more structured, eighth note pattern.  Couple that with the fact that once you get to RSG on Hard, you should be pretty proficient at the game by then.

Cheergirls Mode is in a league of its own.  The reaction time is crazy to the point that it becomes more about memorization than anything else.  Like I was telling Crash, it really helps to know Hard Mode's note patterns, as its rhythm structure is virtually the same, except in reverse.  Took me a little over a month of nonstop playing to get through Cheergirls, and another three to perfect it. 

So, want a taste of what to expect from Cheergirls?  Here's a music sample of "The Sun Burns" (Mutant Rat Attack) and "Neraiuchi." (Cleopatra's Pyramid)  I also threw in the full, unabridged version of 175R's "Melody" as a bonus.  Enjoy!

http://rapidshare.de/files/24954753/Ouendan.zip.html

Oh, I see what you mean.

Inability to read Japanese and cost are the two excuses.

Ah, my bad - I missed the cost element of your second point. Yeah, with the importing and whatnot, it's not exactly cheap. But, man, what a game.

Reading Angela's posts though, well, I'm clearly rubbish at it. I have not even unlocked Cheerleader mode. Hard mode kicked my ass.

After playing RSG on Normal about a million times in a row, I finally cleared Normal mode and proceeded to blow through Hard Mode.  I just have Mutant Rat Attack and RSG left for Hard Mode now.  I think I'm going to take a few days away from the game as I'm becoming quite addicted and it might be nice if I could actually get some sleep before work.  I both went to bed and woke up with tunes from the game burned into my head...

Also, that Cracked Rabbit thing that Angela linked couldn't be more right about the need for headphones in this game.  The DS speakers aren't even close to being up to the task.

And, Ryu, one of the reasons I finally broke down and imported was because they are making Elite Beat Agents a nearly completely different game.  If EBA was going to be simply an English version of Ouendan, I would have waited, but since they're changing the music for EBA and the music is the best part, I didn't want to miss out.

I think the best part of Elite Beat Agents is iNiS themselves are handling it completely in-house, so we can be sure it'll be up to Ouendan's high standards.  I'm just loving the fact that the game seems to be a genuine extension of Ouendan.  Just look at some of the released screenshots; already we see characters from Ouendan making cameo appearances, so while it may not mean much to those who've never played Ouendan before, it's a delightful nod to the ones who have.

For anyone interested, N-sider.com had an interview with producer Keiichi Yan.  It looks like EBA was off to a promising start at E3:

http://www.n-sider.com/articleview.php? … 532&page=3

Yeah, I also like to be able to understand what's going on in a game.  I'm sure the game is a blast, but if I can't understand anything, or even if it's limited understanding, that takes much of the enjoyment out for me.  For those of you that love the game, more power to you.  If the ever gets released in the US, I'm sure I'd be very interested.

cheers,

-avatar!

YES!  I finally cleared RSG Normal last night too.  I was so happy, I held my Lite up with both hands like I was offering it to God or something, haha.  What a rush that level is!  It's weird, cause once I mastered the first section (everything before the first scene), the rest of the level was pretty simple.  I didn't bother trying hard mode yet cause I was so thrilled I had cleared the game on normal.  That will be later today.. can't wait!

I hear ya on the whole tunes in your head thing.  Lately I've had One Night Carnival in my head like woah.  That part where they go "ah-hooo!" or whatever, awesome!

Best game to come out in yeeeears..

-Mike

Congrats!  It's always reason to celebrate when someone passes RSG for the very first time.  So..... congrats, to both you and XLord. ;)

Actually, the stage that owned me for weeks more than RSG was Shanghai Honey (Robots vs Police) on Cheergirls.  My goodness..... at that point, it's practically all 300 hit markers or bust.

Good luck on Hard Mode, Mike.  You'll want to say adios to Normal afterwards, since Hard is so much more interesting and enjoyable.  XLord, good luck on RSG; should you choose to go after Cheergirls Mode next, be prepared for a lot of playing and replaying, because you WILL lose.  A lot. 

At first, anyway; it all clicks eventually, and once you've mastered Cheergirls, you'll likely not want to go back to Hard afterwards.

By the by, are you guys using screen protectors of any sort?  My original DS taught me a harsh lesson as to what Ouendan can do to a touch screen, so I made sure my Lite was readily covered before pulling off a single spinner.

I have never had a problem with the DS screen even with Ouendan. I think my DS screens have been indestructible. I've heard more horror stories about DS screen protectors than I have about unprotected screens.

So, nope, not using any screen protectors.

YOSH!!!!!!!!!  Finally beat normal mode in Ouendan tonight.  Ugh that final level is annoying.  So is the fact that my DS Lite's bottom screen seems to be slightly out of whack, seeing as it like... pops in and out ever so slightly in the bottom left corner when I push too hard on the screen.  Has never been a problem in anything but Ouendan.  :\

...please ignore that I bought this game long before the large majority of you guys, I think, and that it's taken me so long to get so far.  I genuinely do suck very much at this. 

Nah dude.  If somebody can clear RSG on Normal, they don't suck at all.. no matter how long it took them to do it.  Great feeling to finish that damn level though, isn't it?

I played 6-7 of the levels on Hard last night, oh man.. waaay more fun than Normal or Easy.  The speed increase is amazing, and I was almost giggling like a school girl at how fun the "baby baby baby baby" level was.  If I keep it up, Hard mode will be finished by tonight, heh.

Oh yeah and Angela.. nope, I've never used a screen protector of any kind and I spin those spinners pretty damn fast.  I, like Jay, have read more horror stories about actually using the screen protectors than not using them.  Maybe you just press down way too hard?

-Mike

The thing that got me about RSG was the really long intro - it began to feel like punishment after about 30 tries. But that feeling when I finally realised I had made it to the end was pure magic. Well done Joe!

I hate to think what RSG Hard is like. I never made it that far.

Joe joins the ranks.  Great job indeed, guy - good luck on Hard mode!

Though my model doesn't seem to have it, others have reported on that pop in/out defect on the Lite as well, where the problem comes from applying too much force.  Ouendan's intense tapping would likely do it, or using your finger to press on the screen.

Maybe.  It's hard not to for a game like Ouendan, especially on the hardest levels.   For the record, I've not had any problems with the original DS Hori Protectors as of yet, save that it's beginning to show signs of scratch marks.  But then, I know it's doing its job.  ^_^

Seems iNiS is acknowledging this for Elite Beat Agents, as they've added the ability to skip a song's opening, and to jump right into the song.  I wonder what they're planning to cook up for the game's final level this time?  ;p

No screen protector here and I am seeing the appearance of some small scratches, though I try to minimize this by cleaning the touch screen before playing Ouendan to make sure there's no dust for me to grind in when it's spinner time.

Also, I cannot agree with your statement that Hard RSG is easier than Normal RSG.  It seems equally ball busting to me.  I do, however, agree with Jay's statement that having to sit through the intro over and over again is punishment.

Hahaha.. I actually just came to the boards to post the exact same thing.  Whoever thinks RSG Normal is harder than RSG Hard is on some serious crack.  Seems like if you don't get all 300s in the Hard one, you're screwed.  I've only made it past the first scene a couple times so far, and by that time my life meter is so low, there's really no way to make it go back up.. and I'm like not missing any beats!

So close.. yet so far..

-Mike

RSG Normal:  Took me ~30 tries (and seven months) to pass it
RSG Hard:  Passed on second try

In fact, I think RSG was one of the easiest songs on Hard mode.  The hardest song for me on Hard (and second-hardest on Normal) is that stupid violinist-on-the-train level (One Night Carnival, I think), which I failed constantly for an hour straight.  Compared  to that, RSG was an absolute breeze.

I just got this today...I can't even get past RSG on easy, heh. I also tried out normal and the pottery level was crushing me every time. So clearly, I need to practice practice practice. I laughed when I saw the kitty in Angela's avatar appear on the scene :P But this game is definitely quite awesome, no matter how poor I am at it.

I'm really hoping for "Eye of the Tiger" to be on Elite Beat Agents.

You know, I'm feeling this secret, sadistic joy hearing you people suffer from RSG so -- only because I've been there myself.  So tell me; HOW many times has the world blown up by now? ;)

Speaking of bowl cat, why don't we talk about the game's story and characters for a change?  What are you favorite scenes, and who are your favorite characters?

Mine, of course, includes bowl cat harassing ramen shop owner Yasushi - but I love the fact that they make up at the end, and become good friends. 

In the Matsuri Competition, I think it's hilarious how the American tourists join in on the race -- and it's even more funnier when you fail that particular sequence thread.  Don't forget to "say cheese!" before getting your ass kicked there, Ozizu!

In Teachers' Dilemma, I liked the play on words and double meaning when the class says, "You said you wanted it shiny, right?" when instead of cleaning the classroom, you fail the sequence and they put up the disco ball.

Salary Man's tie serving as a bandana rocks -- and him getting duped by the mutant rat by offering to exchange business cards was TEH FUNNY.

Oh yes, and I never get enough of the secretary rivals' ghastly laugh whenever you fail.   ^_^

Haha.. yeah man.  This game takes quite a bit of practice and getting used to the songs.  You'll get there, just don't give up.  The amount of fun you'll have playing this game for hours and hours is so worth all the aggravation!

That would rock!

I hate you.

You're evil.  It's blown up for me a good 30-40 times so far I'd say.. just for RSG Hard.  If you count all the times I tried RSG Normal before clearing it, that puts the total to maybe 65 or so, haha.  Poor world.  But yeah, RSG Hard.. I just can't seem to beat this damn level!  How many tries did it take you?  I won't give up, because this is now a personal challenge to myself.  Oh it's on!

My favorite levels storywise are:

the violinist with the stomach problem (the still image of him on the toilet when you lose is the best)

the horse chasing the thief

the chef and the cat (Linda Linda!!! and I love the way the dude eats the noodles)

blue mutant rat (smack!)

Over The Distance (wasn't expecting that kind of level at all, was actually mildly emotional for me)

And of course.. Ready Steady Go!  That's actually prolly my favorite one cause every character you know and love comes together to save the world.  It's a classic and very overused story in the world of video games but I *never* expected it in this game, haha.

I hope the stories and characters are just as wacky and loveable in Elite Beat Agents.  Can't wait for that game btw!  It's gonna be the closest thing possible to re-living the feeling you got from playing each level in Ouendan for the first time.

This weekend.. RSG.. you're mine!

-Mike

More than I can freakin' count, but RSG Hard be officially DONE!  My wrist didn't feel so hot afterwards, but I got through it (that section with the three spinners in a row without a cinema break following it is murder).

I've started Cheer Mode and cleared five stages so far.  I can't say I really like Cheer Mode as it seems to emphasize your ability to memorize where the hits will appeal instead of just letting you concentrate on the rhythm.  Still viciously addictive, though.  I can't remember the last time I was motivated to play a game on more than one difficulty setting.

Some of my favorite scenes:

-Togei busting out his mad DJ skillz with the pottery on the turntables

-Cleopatra's losing weight by watching other people build her a pyramid

-"Help Shimasu!"

-The bitchy office ladies

-The swim teacher drowning if you fail that section

-The crazy eyes on the horse

-How ridiculously pumped up the student from the first stage gets when he receives a 90% on the test

-As mentioned by someone else, the total bitch slap Salary Man gets when the rat fools him

AHHHHHHHHH I did it!  I cleared RSG Normal tonight too!  And it only took me like 30 tries!  That was definitely evil.  But oh what a feeling to finally have that stage behind me.  I even got an A on it too, woo!

Tried the first level of Cheer mode.. yikes.  Now THIS could take a while, haha.  Oh well, I'm happy either way.

-Mike

Heh, you MUST be on some happy high; you clearly meant RSG "Hard," of course.  ^_^  I wasn't quite as good as Crash, but I did manage to pass it on my eighth or ninth consecutive try, I think. 

Cleopatra's story is probably the most obscure to understand if you don't know Japanese.  The gist of it is that Mark Antony is coming to Egypt in ten months, so that's how much time she has to get in shape.  She then reads up on a "Pyramid of Power" that possesses weigh-losing capabilities, so she gets to work on building said pyramid.  Ouendan's motivational goal lies in getting Cleo to properly supervise her people to build the pyramid before Antony arrives.

.... So yeah, I suppose you won't find this particular event in the history books. ;)

Yeah, same here.  It's the only A I've gotten, so you know that stage has to be hard as hell if I have to get an A just to clear it.