Just Dance 2016 - works with your smartphone!
The Just Dance series debuted back in 2009 and is now in its seventh main iteration. And the name is very appropriate indeed for a title that’s all about presenting you with songs that you just have to dance to.
The format includes popular tunes (as well as random tracks and weird remixes, more on that later) which play on a colourful screen complete with a humanoid character on screen. It’s your job to throw the same shapes as them as accurately as possible, in time to the beat and with some onscreen animations to help.
For Just Dance 2016, Ubisoft has wisely decided to leave this popular format more or less untouched, with a garish and engaging presentation which always makes it clear exactly what you’re supposed to be doing. The menus are big and loud and clear and in game it’s all about tracking those movements.
There are several new additions, and one which really makes a difference – for the first time in the series you can dance using your smartphone.
You just grab an app (on Android or iOS) and make sure your phone is on the same WiFi network as the console (Xbox One, PS4 or Wii U only). The syncing process is seamless and then you can easily navigate all the menus with just your phone.
When it’s time to boogie, just grip the handset tightly in your right hand (Ubi definitely doesn’t want to be sued for any breakages) and get flailing. I have no idea what sort of sophisticated stuff is going on but the smartphone performed brilliantly as an accessory, tracking my movements accurately enough that any failures were definitely my own.
There are so many advantages to this new system, including drawing in people who don’t have a PS Eye camera or Kinect. It’s also ideal for those who don’t want the possibility of their console recording embarrassing videos. You know who you are. And it allows multiple people to play at the same time, with support for up to six devices. And everybody has a smartphone!
Beyond that impressive additions Just Dance 2016 has other new gameplay features, like Dance Party which is a way to rack up serious scores thanks to co-op dancing with friends. You can work out with the Sweat and Playlists mode (which can be seriously exhausting) and take on Dance Quest to work your way through a series of challenges.
For those who do have a camera attached to their console, you can record your best session and send it out to the world as a challenge. Other people can then use your moves as their avatar to see if they can be even more awesome on the dancefloor. This is also a good way to find many embarrassing performances from around the world. Check out Just Dance TV for all the video evidence.
You get more than 40 tracks in the box with Just Dance 2016, covering off songs like Blame, Uptown Funk, Let’s Groove, All About that Bass, I Gotta Feeling, Want to Want Me, Under the Sea and the William Tell Overture. Each comes with unique graphics and presentation and there’s a great range in the avatars and the ingenuity in bringing these songs to life. You really have to check out William Tell…
If that isn’t enough for you, the new game also debuts Just Dance Unlimited (on Xbox One, PS4 and Wii U only). This is a subscription service which offers player access to more than 150 extra tracks and additional Dance Quests for a monthly fee. More songs and quests are going to be added constantly and pricing is €7/€15/€40 for 1/3/12 months. You’ll know pretty quickly if this investment is worth it, and there’s a free 1 month trial in the box to help you decide.
The same can be said for the game in general – you probably already know if you’re interested in Just Dance 2016 as it plays to a very specific audience. Do you like the idea of matching dance moves in front of your TV solo or with friends? Then this is a brilliant example of that form, with plenty songs and modes and more accessible play than ever thanks to the use of the smartphone app.
And fans will find plenty to enjoy in the new additions, especially the modes that encourage extra players to join in. It’s simplicity itself to have players drop in and out while at a party and the mechanics of the dances are forgiving enough that anyone can join, while providing plenty of scope for those who want to nail every twirl. It’s even a good way to get exercise!
Just Dance 2016 is a top notch dancing title with some impressive additions and well worth considering for the rhythmically inclined. Try the free demo today to see if it takes your fancy but take note – many of the new features aren't available on older consoles so check before you buy.
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