Game review: ‘Just Dance 2016,’ fun addition to franchise, pressures players to spend and share
Just Dance 2016. (UbiSoft)
Just Dance 2016. (UbiSoft)
Parents need to know that “Just Dance 2016” is the latest in an ongoing series of group dance-video games. (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that “Just Dance 2016” is the latest in an ongoing series of group dance-video games. Up to four players can join in using the console’s controllers and camera, and up to six can play using a free app on their mobile phones. The music includes oldies, show tunes, more current Top 40 hits, world music, kids’ music, and even some classical. Lyrics have been cleaned up for a wide audience, but there are still some suggestive songs and dance moves. Clothing is occasionally on the skimpy side (short shorts, bikini tops), but dancers are more cartoon silhouettes than realistic bodies. There are in-game ads for the “Unlimited” streaming service (a free trial comes with the games), and all the premium songs are listed in the game even if you aren’t yet subscribed, although you should expect pressure to subscribe.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
“Just Dance 2016” has no story mode, but it has seven activities and 43 songs. The basic mode, Dance Party, allows one or more players to dance in a competition for points or in a cooperative mode to earn gems together. If a camera is present (Kinect, Move, Wii U Gamepad), players will get a silly recap of their dance they can save, share to Facebook, or upload to the “Just Dance” global servers. Showtime is a karaoke mode with several songs that you can freestyle dance to while singing along. If a camera is used, players end up with a music video complete with special effects. Sweat & Playlists is the area for people who want to use “Just Dance 2016” to reach fitness goals, and World Video Challenge invites players to upload their dance videos to pit themselves against other players around the world. Lastly, UPlay rewards players for doing various in-game activities. Players can unlock credits to buy more avatars, mash-ups, and special versions of the dances.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
With the addition of subscription-based streaming DLC content and a lot of social sharing options to the “Just Dance” franchise, UbiSoft has really ramped it up. For some players, this will greatly enhance their gameplay experience. Unfortunately, there’s no way to drown out all the additional noise in the game, making safety and privacy a concern as well as putting additional pressure on parents to buy more content. On a positive note, the addition of the karaoke feature is fun for kids who want to dance their own moves and be the star on the screen.
There is a nice mix of songs overall, including odd-man-out “William Tell Overture” and a seated dance version of “Under the Sea.” You can even dance to some lively Irish music. The ability to use mobile phones as controllers also make this accessible to those who aren’t willing or able to splurge on expensive add-on cameras and controllers. All in all, there are some wonderful additions to “Just Dance 2016.” It’s just unfortunate that UbiSoft cluttered them up with so many options that parents may not want their kids to access, rather than having a social section on the Main Menu to tuck those onto.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 3 out of 5
Positive messages: 2 out of 5
Positive role models: 0 out of 5
Ease of play: 3 out of 5
Violence: 0 out of 5
Sex: 1 out of 5
Language: 2 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 1 out of 5
Consumerism: 2 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
GAME DETAILS
Platforms: Nintendo Wii, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Price: $49.99
Developer: UbiSoft
Release: October 20, 2015
Genre: Music and Dance
ESRB rating: E10+ for mild lyrics, mild suggestive themes
