Sorry for the belated reply. I just got back from vacation.General_Norris wrote:@Crux
I was half-kidding about IIDX. I'm an avid fan of the series (if anyone has seen my controller wishlist, a doubles IIDX ASC is at the top of it), and clearly it's more accessible than an actual instrument. Nonetheless, comparable to other rhythm games, IIDX is incredibly unforgiving. Much of the music isn't even playable for beginners on 7-key mode. Where Bemani titles like DDR only have a select few songs without an option for very easy step charts, IIDX has the vast majority of its tracks locked away for those without the skill to play them. For a rhythm game, IIDX is strikingly unaccessible. Pop'n Music has 10 keys and I still find it more accessible than IIDX, though Pop'n Music has a mighty learning curve itself.
It's a mystery to me how Bemani didn't apply its success with DDR to its other series. I know some people enjoy the brutality of their other series (I know I do), but it's very limiting for new players that want to learn on all the songs and not just those willing to play the same set of songs over and over for the reward of perseverance.