Info about EZ2ON REBOOT : R:

Official game description:
**A rhythm-action game for everyone.**
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『EZ2ON REBOOT : R』 is a vertical rhythm-action game. Become a live performer of various songs. You have to press the key to complete the sound.  
The base game includes over 250 songs, the biggest in terms of volume in the franchise history.  
From old-time classics to unconventional twists on the existing genre, EZ2ON covers a broad range of musical tastes.  
**◆ Rhythm-action for everyone**  
EZ2ON is designed to be an accessible rhythm-action game to the core. Anyone can easily adapt, groove to the music, and enjoy the gameplay. Why not give it a shot?  
Intuitive yet diverse styles of four key modes, 4K · 5K · 6K · 8K, are available. And each key mode provides four different difficulties per song, assisting the players in improving their skills.  
Does this kind of game feel a bit overwhelming? Or, are you familiar with other rhythm-action games?  
Start with 'BASIC' mode that everyone can enjoy without being stressed out.  
Do you want to know how skillful you are? Do you enjoy a more competitive experience?  
'STANDARD' mode has much more strict timing requirements. On top of that, your skill is evaluated via Rating system.  
'COURSE' mode is also available where you can play a sequence of songs non-stop. Each course is carefully curated and designed by the devs.  
**◆ Looking for some 'EZ2'? Glad you're in the right place.**  
We have gathered everything in the franchise and put them into EZ2ON REBOOT : R.  
Remember the 99's hit 〈Stay〉? The infamous boss song from the 'EZ2ON REBOOT(2013)' 〈KAMUI 〉? Everything you loved is here with remastered audiovisual. Treat yourself to a 16:9 HD visual experience and a newly designed audio mix.  
You get instant access to the contents without any need for game progression. Buy it and play it. Simple as that.  
**◆ Is this your first time seeing 'EZ2'?**  
Don't worry if you're not familiar with EZ2ON franchise.  
All the songs that you love are already here. Such as...  
'Brain Power', 'PUPA', 'Air', 'MilK', 'The Formula', 'GOODTEK', 'METATRON', 'The Last Page', and more!  
**◆ Fully customizable gameplay**  
Tons of game-related options are readily available. Discover your own optimal settings using the 'LIVE CONTROL' feature.  
Save the gameplay configuration and load it back anytime you want.  
For advanced players, NVIDIA Reflex and ASIO are also available.  
**◆ We play this game, make this game, love this game.**  
We are highly experienced rhythm-action game developers from diverse professional backgrounds. But after all, we are just rhythm-action enthusiasts. EZ2ON TEAM plays the game on a daily basis not only for playtest purposes but also to just appreciate the experience. As rhythm-action game veterans with over 20 years of gaming experience, we deliver what we want to see in this game based on your feedback.  
Our journey has just begun. Join us here, 『EZ2ON REBOOT : R』.

Release date: Apr 14, 2022

Categories: Rhythm Game, Music-based Gameplay, High Score Chasing, Multiplayer, Customization, Keyboard-based Gameplay, Arcade

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 70; verdict: Aggressive Monetization; summary: The game has a significant amount of content in its base version, but it is heavily reliant on DLCs for a complete experience. The high cost and necessity of these DLCs are major points of contention among users, indicating a potentially aggressive monetization strategy.
- Steam Deck: score 70; verdict: Tinkering Required; summary: The analysis of user feedback for the Steam Deck experience reveals several critical issues that impact the overall user experience. The most significant concerns include the always-online requirement, which frustrates users who prefer offline play, and frequent black screens and crashes, which severely disrupt gameplay. Additionally, the use of anti-cheat software is a concern for some users. Despite these issues, recent updates have shown improvements, indicating that the developers are actively addressing these problems.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $10.00 - $15.00
  - Reasoning: The evidence indicates that users find the game to be a good value when purchased on sale, typically at a 50% discount. This suggests that the community considers the fair price to be around half of the current base game price. The positive sentiment around purchasing the game on sale and the mention of it being great value for money at that price point supports this conclusion.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 230.0h
  - Story completion: N/A
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The evidence suggests that players spend significant time on the game, with mentions of playing for hours and the game having a high replay value due to its extensive song list and DLC content. The game is noted for its challenging gameplay and the satisfaction derived from improving skills and achieving high scores. The mention of 230 hours of playtime in a similar game (DJMAX Respect V) provides a benchmark for the typical total time to finish the game. The focus on DLC packs and the variety of songs indicate that players spend a considerable amount of time exploring and mastering different tracks.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: The game is fun immediately for rhythm game enthusiasts, especially in short sessions, but some players find certain aspects boring or difficult.
  - Stance: Fun immediately
  - Anchor: Starting a short play session
  - Time to anchor: 0h 0m
  - Friction: Specific charts being boring; Removal of turntable notes; Difficulty with certain gameplay mechanics
  - Unlock drivers: Variety of songs; Multiplayer mode
  - Conditions: Short play sessions; Enjoyment of rhythm games; Multiplayer mode
- Player Archetypes:
  - Veteran Rhythm Gamer (buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking a high-quality, competitive rhythm game experience.
    - Playstyle: Competitive, high skill, precise timing.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Veteran; Rhythm game enthusiast
    - Reference games: Beatmania II DX; DJMAX; EZ2DJ
  - Casual Beginner (sale)
    - Motivation: Looking for an accessible and enjoyable rhythm game experience.
    - Playstyle: Casual, low stress, beginner-friendly.
    - Experience: newcomer
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: Beginner; Casual gamer
    - Reference games: DJMAX; Osu!
  - Rhythm Game Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Seeking a deep and engaging rhythm game experience.
    - Playstyle: Enthusiastic, dedicated, varied.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Enthusiast; Rhythm game fan
    - Reference games: DJMAX; Beatmania; O2Jam


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Extensive music and mode variety (weight 0.43): The game offers a wide range of songs across various genres and categories, along with multiple gameplay modes to keep the experience fresh and engaging.
- Beginner-friendly Basic Mode (weight 0.32): The Basic Mode is designed for beginners, offering a more forgiving judgment system and a relaxed experience, making it accessible for new players.
- Highly customizable gameplay (weight 0.29): The game provides extensive customization options, including settings, keybindings, and UI elements, allowing players to tailor the experience to their preferences.
- Recommended for rhythm game fans (weight 0.28): The game is highly recommended for rhythm game enthusiasts, offering high-quality gameplay and a satisfying experience for dedicated fans.
- Addictive and enjoyable gameplay (weight 0.25): Players find the gameplay addictive and fun, with engaging mechanics that keep them coming back for more.
- Advanced rhythm game engine (weight 0.25): The game features an advanced engine among commercial PC keyboard rhythm games, providing a classic and competitive experience.
- Precise and well-made charts (weight 0.2): The game is praised for its precise and well-designed charts, offering a high-quality challenge for players.
- All songs have key sounds (weight 0.19): Every track in the game includes key sounds, enhancing the overall audio experience and immersion.
- Nostalgic experience (weight 0.19): The game evokes nostalgic feelings, especially for veteran rhythm gamers, with a vibe reminiscent of the 99-2000s era.
- Comparison with DJMAX (weight 0.19): The game is often compared to DJMAX, with players noting improvements in UI, song list, and overall refinement.
- High-quality music content (weight 0.17): The game features high-quality original songs and music charts, providing a premium audio experience.
- Skill improvement over time (weight 0.17): Players report improvement in their skills and judgment over time, with regular updates and practice enhancing the gameplay experience.
- Improved gameplay experience (weight 0.14): The game offers an improved and enjoyable gameplay experience, with better mechanics and overall quality.
- Includes extensive EZ2 series content (weight 0.14): The game serves as a replacement for the EZ2AC series, containing 26 years of the EZ2 series and many songs from arcade versions.
- Optimized for various PC specs (weight 0.14): The game is optimized to run smoothly on both low-end and high-end PCs, making it accessible to a wide range of players.
- Customizable UI and music (weight 0.14): The game's UI and music can be customized to suit the user's taste, enhancing the overall experience.

Common complaints:
- Outdated song library (weight 0.42): Many songs in the game feel outdated and are not appealing to players looking for modern or trendy music.
- Expensive DLCs (weight 0.32): The cost of DLCs and song packs is considered high, with few discounts available, making it expensive to fully enjoy the game.
- Strict judgment system (weight 0.29): The game's judgment system is perceived as too strict, making it difficult for players, especially beginners, to adapt and enjoy the gameplay.
- Always online requirement (weight 0.28): The game requires a constant online connection, even for single-player mode, which is inconvenient for players without stable internet access.
- Network connectivity issues (weight 0.24): Players frequently experience network connectivity issues and server problems, leading to a disrupted gaming experience.
- Lack of features and updates (weight 0.16): The game is criticized for lacking features and updates, with some planned features left unimplemented.
- Poor base game quality (weight 0.16): The base game is criticized for having poor quality songs and lacking good content, making it less enjoyable without purchasing DLCs.
- Eye strain and visual issues (weight 0.16): The game's visual effects and light pollution can cause eye strain, and the effects are sometimes too flashy.
- Limited multiplayer activity (weight 0.11): Multiplayer mode has few active players, making it difficult to find matches and enjoy the multiplayer experience.
- Licensing issues affecting songs (weight 0.07): Some songs are missing due to licensing issues, limiting the availability of certain tracks.
- Lack of 7-key mode (weight 0.07): The game is criticized for not including a 7-key gameplay mode, which some players prefer.
- Frequent game crashes (weight 0.07): The game frequently freezes and crashes, leading to a poor gaming experience.
- High price for Early Access (weight 0.07): The game is considered expensive for an Early Access title that is not yet fully content-complete.
- Limited resolution settings (weight 0.07): The game only supports 1080p resolution, limiting the visual experience for players with higher resolution displays.
- Long load times (weight 0.07): The game has long load times, which can be frustrating for players.
- Arcade-like patterns (weight 0.07): Some note patterns are optimized for arcade keyboards, making keyboard play tricky and less enjoyable.
- Large storage size (weight 0.06): The game requires a large amount of storage space, which can be a drawback for players with limited storage.
- Mismatched key sounds (weight 0.06): The key sounds in the game do not match the music, leading to a poor audio experience.
- Difficulty spikes (weight 0.06): The game has difficulty spikes, particularly from intermediate levels, making it challenging for players to progress smoothly.
- Non-ergonomic patterns (weight 0.06): The game's note patterns are criticized for being dense and non-ergonomic, making them difficult to play.
- Window mode issues (weight 0.05): The window mode in the game frequently unlocks, and the judgment line position cannot be adjusted, causing inconvenience.
- Narrow notes in 8K mode (weight 0.05): In 8K mode, the notes are small and hard to see due to the lack of gear width adjustment, making it difficult to play.

Gameplay feedback:
- BASIC and STANDARD modes (weight 0.46): The game features BASIC mode with a wider judgment window, suitable for beginners, and STANDARD mode with stricter judgment for more experienced players.
- Multiple difficulty levels available (weight 0.41): The game offers a range of difficulty levels, including Basic and Standard modes, with sub-difficulties and various gameplay modes to cater to different skill levels.
- Extensive customization options (weight 0.35): Players can customize various aspects of the game, including UI, skins, note scroll speed, and keybinds, providing a personalized gaming experience.
- Core rhythm gameplay (weight 0.28): The game is a vertical scrolling rhythm game with hardcore rhythm-based gameplay, featuring characteristic sound effects and a variety of songs and patterns.
- Keyboard-focused gameplay (weight 0.24): The game is designed for keyboard play, with key sounds and keysounded tracks, offering a casual yet engaging rhythm game experience.
- Nostalgic and varied song lineup (weight 0.21): The game features a long history with nostalgic tracks and a variety of music genres and styles, offering a diverse musical experience.
- Detailed judgment system (weight 0.19): The game includes a strict and detailed judgment system with options for different skill levels, ensuring precise and fair gameplay evaluation.
- Complex and interesting charts (weight 0.16): The game features complex and interesting chart designs, providing a challenging and engaging experience for players.
- Skill and difficulty progression (weight 0.16): The game offers a progression system that allows players to improve their skills and tackle higher difficulty levels as they advance.
- Supports diverse key modes (weight 0.15): The game supports various key modes, including 4K, 5K, 6K, and 8K, catering to different player preferences and skill levels.
- Comparison to DJMAX (weight 0.15): The game is often compared to DJMAX, with players noting differences in difficulty, judgment precision, and overall gameplay experience.
- Specific songs and DLC content (weight 0.11): The game includes specific songs and DLC content, expanding the musical experience and gameplay options.
- Course mode for advanced players (weight 0.07): The game includes a course mode with various difficulty levels, designed to challenge advanced players.
- Arcade-style gameplay (weight 0.07): The game features arcade-style gameplay, reminiscent of classic arcade rhythm games.
- Pattern variety (weight 0.07): The game offers a variety of patterns, adding to the complexity and interest of the gameplay.
- Key sound improvements (weight 0.06): The game features improvements in key sounds, enhancing the overall audio experience.
- Replay functionality (weight 0.06): The game includes a replay saving feature, allowing players to review and share their gameplay.
- Performance-focused gameplay (weight 0.06): The game focuses on performance rather than theoretical values, similar to aiming for high scores in other rhythm games.

Performance notes:
- Optimized for various PCs (weight 0.31): The game is well-optimized and runs smoothly on both low-end and high-end computers, including Linux systems.
- Game stability issues (weight 0.23): There are reports of the game freezing, being unstable, and crashing frequently on specific computer models.
- Loading time issues (weight 0.18): Players report various problems related to loading times, including slow loading speeds and infinite loading screens.
- Network connectivity issues (weight 0.17): Players experience network connectivity issues, including server performance and maintenance problems.
- Song switching and black screen (weight 0.12): Switching songs too quickly can cause the game to freeze, and there are issues with black screens when entering the play interface.
- Low latency and high polling rate (weight 0.11): The game supports low latency and high polling rate keyboards, providing a responsive gaming experience.
- Unexpected bugs (weight 0.08): Players encounter unexpected bugs, such as the cursor jumping and freezing when selecting songs.
- Customizable framerate settings (weight 0.05): The game offers customizable capped framerate settings, allowing for a smooth experience with unlocked framerate.
- Forced termination issues (weight 0.05): There are issues related to the game being forced to terminate unexpectedly.
- High refresh rate output (weight 0.05): The game supports high refresh rate output, enhancing the visual experience.
- Large game size (weight 0.04): The game has a large file size, which may have performance implications.
- Fast disk reading speed (weight 0.04): The game has fast disk reading speeds, contributing to better performance.
- Auto-starting bug (weight 0.04): There is a potential bug where the game auto-starts unexpectedly.
- Light pollution and eye strain (weight 0.04): Light pollution in the game can cause eye strain for some players.

Recommendations:
- Recommended for rhythm game enthusiasts (weight 0.53): The game is highly recommended for fans of rhythm games, including those who enjoy titles like Beatmania, OSU, and DJMAX. It is suggested for both experienced players and enthusiasts looking for a unique and challenging experience.
- Worth the purchase (weight 0.3): Many reviews indicate that the game is worth buying, especially during sales. It is considered a good value for money and a worthwhile addition to any rhythm game fan's collection.
- DLC recommendations (weight 0.23): Several reviews suggest purchasing specific DLCs such as the Prestige Pass, Endless Circulation, and Evolve for a fuller experience. A detailed guide for DLC purchases is also mentioned.
- Suggestions for improvements (weight 0.13): Some reviews suggest adding an offline mode and providing more information about which songs are included in specific DLCs. There are also requests for more original songs and collaborations for future DLCs.
- Unique and high-quality experience (weight 0.09): The game is praised for its unique identity and high-quality experience, making it stand out among other rhythm games. It is recommended for those seeking a challenging and performance-oriented gameplay.
- Mixed reviews on current state (weight 0.07): While many reviews are positive, some suggest waiting for the full release and more reviews before considering a purchase. A few reviews mention that the game may not be worth buying in its current state.
- International release appreciated (weight 0.05): The international release of the game is appreciated as it allows global players to enjoy the game's history and unique features.

Other player notes:
- Warning about RSI (weight 0.05): Some reviews mention a warning related to Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI).
- Mascot character presence (weight 0.04): Players have noted the inclusion of a mascot character in the game.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.2): Players are frustrated with a variety of issues including the lack of features such as adding songs to favorites, optimization problems for keyboard play, and high DLC pricing. Additionally, the game's difficulty, lack of beginner-friendly mechanics, persistent performance issues, and the requirement for an always-online connection contribute to this frustration.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.19): Players are satisfied with the game's high-quality gameplay experience, challenging and rewarding mechanics, and the variety of songs and customization options. The game's good performance on low-spec computers, detailed judgment indicators, and frequent sales also contribute to this satisfaction.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.13): Players feel nostalgic due to the game's arcade memories, childhood associations, and the inclusion of old songs. The game's ability to reconnect players with favorite songs from the past and its arcade-style visuals evoke a sense of nostalgia.
- Excitement (weight 0.06): Players are excited about the game's addictive and unique gameplay elements, the variety of soundtracks, and the challenging nature of the game. The potential for future development and the variety of game modes and difficulties also contribute to this excitement.
- Joy (weight 0.06): Players experience joy from the modern accessibility of classic games, the enjoyment of gameplay, and the improvement of skills. The game's high-quality content, enjoyable UI, and the comfort of playing at home add to this joy.
- Disappointment (weight 0.05): Players are disappointed with the quality of the base game songs, the cost of DLCs, and the lack of content without additional purchases. The steep learning curve and the requirement to purchase DLC to access all songs also contribute to this disappointment.
- Frustrated (weight 0.03): Players are frustrated with specific issues such as window mode problems, visual effects, difficulty and length of songs, always-online DRM, and server issues. These technical and design problems contribute to a frustrating experience.
- Excited (weight 0.02): Players are excited about the game's features, extensive customization options, and improvements. The tight mechanics, regular updates, and significant improvements announced during events contribute to this excitement.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the game's respect for the original work, high-quality root gameplay, and detailed adjustments. The understanding player community and the game's offerings for hardcore rhythm gamers are also appreciated.
- Happy (weight 0.02): Players are happy with the game's satisfying gameplay, high-quality songs, and regular updates. The game's appeal to both new and experienced players, as well as its high quality and rich history, contribute to this happiness.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.02): Players enjoy the game despite its challenges, finding it fun to play and appreciating its different feel compared to other rhythm games. The enjoyable musical scores and the act of tapping keys on the keyboard following notes add to this enjoyment.
- Disappointed (weight 0.01): Players are disappointed with the game's effects, song quality, UI, graphics, load times, and chart design. The outdated game design philosophy also contributes to this disappointment.
- Nostalgic (weight 0.01): Players feel nostalgic about the game's long history, accessibility, retro vibe, and music styles. The inclusion of nostalgic songs and the game's ability to evoke memories of past experiences contribute to this feeling.
- Satisfied (weight 0.01): Players are satisfied with the game's judgment adjustments and the vast amount of content, including the number of songs available.
- Gratitude (weight 0.01): Players feel gratitude for being able to enjoy the game again and for the help received in multiplayer mode.
- Curiosity (weight 0.01): Players are curious about the game's unique gameplay experience, potential for skill improvement, and the mention of a mysterious mascot character.
- Approval (weight 0.01): Players approve of the game's classic recreation, good value during sales, and its similarity to DJMAX with shared music artists.
- Contentment (weight 0.01): Players feel content with the game's music, community, and the peaceful gameplay experience it offers.}