Review

Developed by:Harmonix Published by:Microsoft Genre(s):
  • Rhythm
  • Music
  • Platform:
  • Microsoft
  • Cost:$9.99 ESRB Rating:TEEN Players:1-2 (2 Online) Release date:September 9, 2014 Reviewed on:XBox One
    8.5

    Dance Central Spotlight

    Since the release of the original Kinect on the Xbox 360, the Dance Central franchise has gone hand and hand with Microsoft’s motion peripheral. So much so, that one could argue that Harmonix has been the main reason to own the Kinect; each Dance Central came with new modes, dance moves and music for the fans to groove to. This holds true despite how tough it must be to stay popular while differentiating the series from other dance games. That said, can Harmonix keep things fresh while using (mostly) the same formula from previous titles? Well, let’s just say that they may have thrown a windmill into the way we play and sell dance games!

    For those of you who’ve never played a DC title, Dance Central: Spotlight (or DCS) is a dance game in which you are to mirror the on screen avatar’s dance moves to achieve points. Just like past titles, there are multiple tracks with accompanying choreography for gamers to learn. What’s different about DCS is that there are only ten songs to start with. Harmonix is trying something bold here by letting the fans pick and choose what music they want to dance to. This is one of the few times I agree with a pay to play business move, so bear with me as I show why it’s the exception.

    Just like every single music game, there are a huge amount of songs for you to play with right out of the box. Now out of all those songs, think about how many you actually play on a regular basis. Imagine if you could pay a small price for the game itself and just add the songs you wanted as it went along. Well that’s exactly what DCS brings to the forefront and so far it seems like a great sales model. You are more inclined to play a dance game longer if you’re jamming to your favorite songs instead of songs you aren’t nearly as fond of. As always, the music selection is great regardless of what you’re into; classic 80’s pop, house, hip-hop, R&B – there’s plenty to dance to. Here’s the best part though, the game itself is only $9.99 and it comes with 10 songs included. That’s a dollar a song for a game that already feels complete, yet still allowing you to mold it into what you’d like it to be – musically speaking of course.

    Moving past the track list, there’s one aspect of DCS that I absolutely love and that’s how outstanding the Kinect actually works. My issue with previous Dance Central titles was the inconsistencies in the Kinect picking up player’s dance moves. There were plenty of times you would perfectly mirror the characters moves on the screen and they wouldn’t register. DCS has not nearly as many of those miscues and it makes the game much more enjoyable. They have even added voice control throughout the entire game, making it even easier to maneuver through menus, which is much needed when you play a game as physically involved as this one. Of course, this has a lot to do with the fact the Xbox One’s Kinect is superior to the older one in every way. Still, not every Kinect game (though there aren’t many) has fared as well as DCS has.

    When going next-gen, we all know the fans are expecting the games to look amazing. But when playing a dance game, the focus is on the moves and not on how vivid the visuals are. The guys and gals at Harmonix apparently didn’t get the memo because this game looks great. From the unique character designs to the ever-changing backgrounds of every song, it’s nothing short of mesmerizing to stare at. Focus is needed to do well though. The gameplay is just as smooth and diverse as before but the new way to earn routines adds replay value in an interesting way. Every record starts off with an extremely basic routine, great for new players. If you execute a move flawlessly, you unlock it and add it to your repertoire. Each song has a certain amount of moves to earn before ultimately creating a well-choreographed routine. The final product maybe a bit more advanced for the common player, but for Dance Central vets it offers up a real challenge.

    Beyond that, each song comes with eight different routines, again with different levels of difficulty; some were even made specifically for fitness plans. Speaking of the fitness mode, here you are given multiple options for workout regiments. They take the same songs you know and love and add fitness moves that help you burn those calories where they matter most. Workout options like Cardio Workout and Strength Training, gives you even more fun incentives to play the game. Jamming to your favorite hits while shaking off that belly fat will give you that excuse you always wanted to play more video games. As you play through the game you’ll soon realize how much you are actually dancing, forcing you to wipe rivers of sweat from your forehead. On top of that, having your own playlist that you built through purchasing DLC tracks, you may end up creating the perfect workout mix.

    Being able to dance to huge records like Pharrell’s “Happy” as well as classic songs like A-Ha’s “Take on Me”, effectively shows how much hard work went into DCS; don’t let the digital only release fool you, this is a full-fledged Dance Central game. From the great calibration of the Kinect, the banging soundtrack, and the huge amount of choreography for every skill set of dancer, this is a must have for DC fans. Plus, with the great price point and this new “create your own game” model, Harmonix has given us a new way to play our music games. Now grab that track suit and lace up those Adidas because it’s time to bust-a-move!

    Gameplay:

    9

    Thanks to the new Kinect sensor, your dance moves register almost all the time. It’s nearly flawless as it helps you in having fun while shedding those pounds.

    Graphics:

    8

    Stunning backgrounds and character designs all around!

    Sound:

    8

    The minimalist approach to a sound track actually works here. Not only that, the selection of songs to download is great!

    Replay Value:

    9

    Between the fitness mode and the new ways to earn routines, the game demands you play more than once to get the full experience.

    Final Score:

    8.5

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