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Buy it, play it, love it

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: August 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I don't make it a habit to review videogames, but I think that Mad Maestro is one game that deserves more attention than it's been getting. The story is negligible, but the gameplay is an absolute blast, and it probably goes without saying that the soundtrack is hands down the best in any rhythm game. For non-Classical music afficionados, there are quite a few "so THAT'S what that is!" moments, and you'll likely discover some cool stuff that you'd never heard before, too. No complaints.

Some people accuse the game of being overly difficult. I suppose this is an area in which you either get it or you don't; personally, I found that, after a few minutes of getting used to things, Mad Maestro was, with the exception of a few of the bonus games, exceptionally easy. Still a blast, though.

A common to the rhythm genre--is that the games tend to be rather short, and this one is no exception. Assuming you're not one of those who find the game excessively hard, you should be able to unlock just about everything in a few hours. Still, this isn't for lack of effort on the designers' part: each of the ten regular stages actually features three songs--the regular one, a special 'medley mode' one if you play the first well enough, and finally a bonus game with its own song. I think being short is pretty much inevitably in games like this, but Mad Maestro does more to combat this than most.

Unsurprisingly, the game sold abysmally in the US. Localizing it was part of Eidos's effort to salvage some of their long-lost integrity (translate the sequels, guys--then we'll talk), so I suppose some good came out of Tomb Raider and it's seventeen sequels after all, but I don't expect we'll be seeing much more in this vein from them--money is still the most important thing, after all...you absolutely MUST purchase it if you have any interest whatsoever in rhythm games and/or classical music.

Great Non-Violent Gameplay

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: May 29, 2004
Author: Amazon User

Mad Maestro! Lets you use your playstation 2 to become a world famous conductor. All you need is reflexes and a love of music!

A tutorial helps you understand just what a conductor does - control the volume, tempo, and parts of the music. There are child and normal gameplay modes, as well as an easy and normal difficulty level. The game makes it very easy for players of all ages to feel comfortable.

The game can be found very cheaply from many locations, and is actually very fun. Apparently the local concert hall is being demolished, and you, a young conductor, are the only hope. You have to perform well to build up support for the concert hall.

There are many famous classical pieces in the game including The Hungarian Dance No 6 in D Major by Brahms, Swan Lake, Ode to Joy, and more. You really get to know each song while you play along with it, so it's both fun and educational.

However, even on easy mode, it's extremly hard to make it to a "perfect" score which is needed to move along to the next level. You almost want to go down to "child" mode where you're able to move on through the games even if you only get 99% perfect rather than 100% perfect on a level.

There are often interesting graphics going on in the background, going well if you do well and falling apart if you do poorly. However, most of the time you are paying close attention to your circles and your pressure gauges and can't look at all at the 'background images'. You are trying to pay attention to the rhythm of the music, the strength of each button press, and watching for any 'part changes' that you have to do with the left directional.

In general, compared to the many violent games on the market, this is a game that involves no competition, no violence, and a great exposure to gorgeous classical music. The hand-eye coordination is great for anybody to work on, and the basics of musical theory that are taught can benefit anyone who has any interest in music. Highly recommended for any age!

IF YOU LIKE MUSIC, THIS IS IT.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 5
Date: October 30, 2003
Author: Amazon User

THE MUSIC WAS GREAT, ONCE YOU START, YOU CAN'T STOP, EASY TO NAVIGATE, FUN TO PLAY WITH, MY FRIENDS ALSO LOVED THIS GAME, HEY, THE PRICE IS A STEAL, JUST CAN'T GO WRONG WITH IT~

Proof that not all video games have to be violent to be fun

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 4 / 6
Date: September 19, 2002
Author: Amazon User

You know those people who complain that video games are a detriment to society and incite violence (and the only game they ever use as an example was "Grand Theft Auto III")? Well, you can use "Mad Maestro" as proof that 1: video games don't have to be violent to be fun and 2: that video games can enrich someone's cultural vocabulary. The graphics aren't the best and the audio is MIDI-based (it has to be MIDI otherwise the game would be very difficult to code), but that doesn't drag the game down too much. You spend so much of your time keeping the beat that you don't notice that stuff. The game has a good cross-section of famous and unfamiliar songs. Now if you want a game that is a detriment to society and incites violence, just look for any game that has the same name as a movie or singer.

Not what I expected

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 3 / 4
Date: March 21, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I wasn't overly impressed with this game. As a fan of music games like Frequency and DDR, this one just doesn't compare. Graphically, Mad Maestro isn't anything to rave about. But to be honest, you really won't be noticing the graphics as your eyes will be fixed on the "tempo meter". There are a number of circles on the screen (anywhere from 3 on up, depending on the beat of the song), and your job as Maestro is to press one of the face buttons when the rotating ball passes over one of the circles. Sound easy? Well, the circles have three different colors- each corresponding to how hard you must press the button. This is where the game gets frustrating as you have to be VERY skilled with your button taps to succeed in this game. Other times, you will be required to hold the note, or press the D-pad in the shown direction to bring in another part of the orchestra. It's a unique idea, but it just isn't executed very well. The music is very good if you like classical music and it is a refreshing change from the usual rap or techno found in other rhythm games. The "voices" of the characters are just plain annoying as they speak some bizarre language (like Klonoa), and you'll be skipping the cut scenes often.

I do appreciate Eidos bringing this game out as it is a "niche" product. Bottom line, it's a good rental if you enjoy music/rhythm games.... but I'd recommend Frequency any day over this one.

A maniac's music game

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 05, 2004
Author: Amazon User

I picked up this game for $4 at a used videogame store, not expecting that much, considering it was less than it would've cost me to rent a game at blockbusters. Boy was I surprised. The game play involves keeping up a tempo, while pointing directions with the directional pad from time to time and controling the volume, arguably the most frusterating in my mind. The balance between forte and piano is very delicate.

It would be a great game for children, with a complete lack of violence and of course the added bonus of the cultural aspect of classical music.

The only downpoints I can find are: 1) This game can be HORRIBLY frusterating, I doubt you will get through without have to replay multiple concerts. 2) The graphics compared to nowadays seem a little outdated. On the other hand, graphics shouldnt be so much of a concern, considering how completely fun it is.

The best (and only) orchestra conducting simulator

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: January 01, 2006
Author: Amazon User

The basic gameplay is simple. Four circles are shown in a diamond pattern, representing the beats in a measure. (The occasional piece has only three.) A ball of light moves counterclockwise between them; you move your baton with any button to conduct the music on each beat. A blue circle indicates a weak swing, a green circle a medium swing, and a red circle a heavy swing, and you must press the button with the appropriate pressure to execute it. Needless to say, there are complications, but that's the basic idea.

THE GOOD: Wonderfully, the orchestra actually seems to be taking your lead. If you're too fast, so is the music; missed cues lead to clumsy entrances; swing the baton too wildly and the music will be too loud or too soft accordingly. After you've been through a piece a few times and know what's coming up ahead you can start to relax a little and really get into it.

Although while you're playing you can't really see it, according to the manual the background also varies depending on how well you're doing. The background events -- which range from a date in the park to an alien encounter -- go well when you provide good music and poorly when you don't.

The music in the game is kind of like Classical Music's Greatest Hits. There are more than a few of the kind of pieces that people tend to "air conduct" when they think no one's watching, which is the basic idea, right?

THE BAD: It's finicky, that's for certain. You have some control in the settings menu, but essentially you simply dictate how hard a press is "normal." Good for people with weak grip, but that's about it.

When you first start play everything is locked. Eleven songs are unlocked as you finish the game; the other twenty-three require you to turn in bravura performances on the first eleven. It's kind of annoying to have to master the first batch before even getting a crack at the rest.

THE UGLY: The graphics are forgivable for a second-year Playstation game, especially since it's not exactly like they're anything more than decoration. The voice acting, however ... we're talking the second-worst voice acting I've ever heard. The actors chew every line and do funny voices like fingernails on a blackboard. Not even elementary research -- the composer Etoile's name is pronounced "ay-TORE"!

For heaven's sake, go to a film school and lay a trail of crumbs leading into a plate of sandwiches in the back of your van. Within an hour you'll have caught your limit on trained actors.

THE UPSHOT: It's ... an experience. Hard as Hades on the higher levels and for most people it's an entirely new and somewhat arcane skill. I can strongly recommend Mad Maestro to almost anyone who enjoys rhythm and music games and is willing to put in the time to learn something completely new. On the other hand, while this game is a good way to get excited about classical music (and is thus fantastic for kids), if you really can't stand anything that doesn't have lyrics or a backbeat you'll probably find it boring.

A rare, yet enjoyable game.

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 3
Date: June 02, 2002
Author: Amazon User

For those who compare this game to Frequency and the like I do admit that it could be better. But frankly Fresh is a new company and has bred its buiseness on bringing quirky Japanees games to the US. And I believe this game qualifys. It doesn't use "new age" synthosised (sp?) music, oh no, it sticks to great classics that formed music. All the great composers of way back when that invented notes and rhythm, to the extent of music itself. I found myself almost instantly addicted to it. I would of liked it to be a bit longer, right now its at a good "rental" length, but no matter where I went, no movie rental place had it. So I bought it. And I am pleased with it. It offers a challenge, not to mention humous backround animation. Of course you cant really look at the backroud until you have mastered the song so you dont have to consentrate on it fully. And the graphics are just fine where they are. I loved this game and I strongly recomend that you play it.

cool!!!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 1 / 1
Date: July 16, 2004
Author: Amazon User

i love this game.ijust thought id try it out,and i was surprised!!it was great!me and my friend love music games,like parappa the rapper. but this one is way more of a challenge,and more interesting.you cant really see the backround,but its really funny when you play bad (i.e.theres a lady named hannie and a guy named darlin,if you mess up,hannie starts beating him up!haha).a must buy for anyone who likes rhythym games!!!

THIS GAME RULES!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 5
Date: June 03, 2002
Author: Amazon User

... I love classical music and this is one game i can play for hours!

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