With the Sony Playstation 2 nearing its third generation video game release, over the past years we have seen many exciting titles that have brought us gamers new and innovative ways to experience the new generation system. We have seen great titles that have visually pushed gaming to the next level, but there is another level that is about to be taken up a notch. The love of the classical music is about to become a lot more interesting than you may think. No longer will you hear the sounds of the great classics of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and not fee; what his music was trying to express. Just who do you think is responsible for this innovative new title? Times up! The answer is Fresh Games and Edios. With their new release Mad Maestro, classical music lovers will be amazed at what has been done to this musical genera. Developers at Edios and Fresh Games have found a way to fuse the two into a great gaming experience. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be the conductor of your own orchestra. In Mad Maestro you play as the character Takt who must save the Concert Hall in Bravo Town from destruction. Here is where you have to hand pick your band members throughout this adventure and lift the sprits of the towns people and make them want more.

Fresh Games and Edios have fused the manner of feeling the rhythm of the musical classics and playing them on your PS2. The game play in this title will definitely give gamers a new experience. Mad Maestros controls are very similar to the popular game on the PS1 and Ps2 Parappa The Rapper, but the game is much more than rhythm based. The controls for the button action is basic because the only part of the joystick that is used is the directional pad and the x, square, triangle, and circle buttons have the same function. So the difference is that there is not much sequence patterning on the buttons, but there is the new innovation that Sonys dual shock joystick has over other joysticks in the market. It is the use of the pressure sensitive buttons. Within the tutorial that is very user friendly, you will notice that the timing of when the buttons are pushed is essential but also the pressure that is applied to the timing is what determines how you will feel the music. There are three different levels that signal the amount of pressure that should be applied. Blue for light pressure. Green for medium pressure. Red for heavy pressure. I must say, after having spent the time to play this game after awhile it actually feels like you are conducting an orchestra.

The graphics in this game are great as well. The character design is like cell shade animation. The character appeal to the younger audience, as can be seen by the story line. Bu there is a nice touch of how the story line in the game uses the classical music to affect the level put comes. Not only do you have to play the music well and on key with the right amount of feeling, if you do a half assed job the town will make you know. The tempo meters that gage the audience reaction to your music determine your performance. The developers have brought a great story line with improved second-generation graphics.

The sound in this game will score high marks in this category. The music in this game is great! It is great to see how this title has implemented classic music into their own story line and have it so entertaining. Young audiences will be introduced to the great Ludwig van Beethoven, Piotr Tchaikovsky, Johannes Brahms, and other great classical music composers. The music is very vibrant and mood setting to the story line of this title. Another great feature that was neat to see was whenever the music is not played properly, then you hear certain instruments that begin to sound off key. The audience reaction is very much in tune with the musical performance. Which in turn goes along great with the visual presentation of the performance and story.

So which type of gamers will find this title worth the purchase? This title is great for the music lovers of this genera, as well as new fans to classical music. This game is also for the gaming audience that enjoyed the successful Parrapa The Rapper series. It is a different experience and it is definetly worth the purchase.