My initial foray into the world of Kinect 2.0 on the Xbox One was, to put it mildly, disastrous. Ubisoft’s ‘Fighter Within’ left such a sour taste that I actively avoided the motion-sensing peripheral for weeks. The mere thought of relying on Kinect for gaming after that experience was unappealing. I even questioned Microsoft’s decision to bundle Kinect with every Xbox One console – a move that felt forced and unnecessary at the time. However, recent experiences have begun to shift my perspective, and it’s all thanks to a different Ubisoft title: Just Dance 2014 for the Xbox One.
Just Dance 2014 has been somewhat of a revelation. This motion-based dance game has managed to redeem Ubisoft in my eyes and, more importantly, has shown me that Kinect 2.0 might not be the mistake I initially thought it was. While my initial impressions were heavily skewed by a truly awful fighting game, Just Dance 2014 has demonstrated the potential for fun and engaging experiences with the Xbox One’s motion sensor.
Visually, Just Dance 2014 on Xbox One isn’t going to blow you away. Don’t expect the graphical fidelity of titles like Dead Rising 3 or FIFA 14. In fact, I’m not entirely convinced that Just Dance 2014 looks significantly better than Dance Central 3 on the Xbox 360. There’s a certain simplicity to the animations and overall aesthetic that, while functional, doesn’t scream “next-gen.” Some players might find its art style charming, but graphically, Just Dance 2014 isn’t pushing any boundaries. However, where Just Dance 2014 truly excels is in its sheer fun factor. Gather the right group of friends or family, and this game transforms into an absolute blast. Even if you believe you have two left feet, Just Dance 2014 offers an enjoyable and accessible dance experience right on your Xbox One console. It’s less about technical prowess and more about letting loose and having a good time.
One of the most user-friendly aspects of Just Dance 2014 for Xbox One is its incredibly intuitive menu system. Navigating through the game is a breeze, and I was impressed by how quickly I could jump into a song and start dancing. There were absolutely no noticeable lag issues when moving through the various screens, which made for a smooth and responsive experience. Remarkably, I could even start dancing to songs that had already downloaded while the rest of the game was still installing on my Xbox One’s hard drive. The entire game is designed to be controlled using the Kinect’s motion capabilities. Simply raising your hand allows you to effortlessly scroll through the song list and select your chosen track. It’s genuinely that straightforward and seamless.
Alternatively, if you prefer, you can also use the Xbox One wireless controller to navigate and select songs. I must admit, there were times when I opted for the controller, simply because it felt slightly faster for browsing through a large selection of tracks. Plus, it’s nice to have the option to sit back and relax for a moment in between energetic dance sessions.
For those of us who are, shall we say, “dance-floor challenged,” Just Dance 2014 is remarkably forgiving. You don’t need to be perfectly accurate with your dance moves to enjoy the game. In fact, you can get away with “cheating” a little. While the game encourages full-body movement to mirror the on-screen dancers, I found that focusing on arm movements alone often resulted in surprisingly good scores. Of course, this depends on whether you’re primarily concerned with score or with perfecting your dance technique. However, the true essence of Just Dance 2014 lies in the joy of dancing and having fun. Embracing the silliness of attempting complex dance routines, especially with friends and family, is where the game’s charm truly shines. Watching your companions, whether they be daughters, partners, or friends, look utterly ridiculous as they try to keep up with the on-screen choreography is guaranteed to provide some of the most memorable and hilarious moments the game has to offer. Trust me, the laughs are part of the experience!
Just Dance 2014’s song list is quite eclectic, ranging from Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” to the Disney classic “Prince Ali” from Aladdin. However, the song selection is where I have some mixed feelings about the game. The tracklist feels somewhat inconsistent. While tracks like the Disney song and George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” add variety, they sometimes feel out of sync with the general top-40 pop vibe that Just Dance is known for. Perhaps it’s just personal preference, but there are around 10 to 15 songs that I could have easily done without. The game truly shines when playing the latest top-40 pop and hip-hop hits, but the energy dips when tracks like the somewhat dated “Aquarius” come on. Furthermore, I would have appreciated a larger song library overall. When you consider that games like Guitar Hero Warriors of Rock boasted over 80 songs, the 40-song tracklist in Just Dance 2014 feels a little sparse. That being said, the number of songs included is comparable to other dance games available on the market. More variety would definitely enhance the long-term replayability of Just Dance 2014 on Xbox One.
In terms of game modes, Just Dance 2014 brings back familiar favorites like the Classic free-dance mode from previous installments. Returning modes also include Battle mode and Just Sweat mode. The Just Sweat mode is particularly appealing as it offers a fun way to get a workout while dancing to your favorite songs, which is a great bonus. New to Just Dance 2014 are modes like On-Stage mode, where one player takes the lead dancer role while two others perform backup routines. World Dance Floor mode is another notable addition, allowing you to dance with players from around the globe. In this mode, you can connect with new dancers, dance together virtually, and even compete against each other, adding a social and competitive dimension to the game. Just Dance TV also makes its debut, allowing players to upload and share their AutoDance videos. You can watch videos from your friends or the wider Just Dance TV community, and share your clips on platforms like Facebook and Twitter. These new modes are welcome additions that enrich the overall Just Dance 2014 experience and make it more engaging than ever.
Ultimately, Just Dance 2014 stands as the premier virtual dance simulation game available for the Xbox One. It’s not just a decent game; it’s genuinely enjoyable, especially when played with a group. Its accessibility ensures that players of all skill levels can jump in and have a great time. It provides a solid virtual dancing experience, although it doesn’t fully leverage the advanced capabilities of the Xbox One. As a launch title, it’s a commendable effort, but the franchise will need to demonstrate significant advancements to ensure continued success on the Xbox One platform in the long run. However, for instant fun and motion-based entertainment on your Xbox One, Just Dance 2014 is a solid choice.
The Good
- Fun and accessible gameplay for all skill levels
- User-friendly menu navigation and Kinect controls
- Enjoyable with groups of friends and family
- Variety of game modes including new online options
The Bad
- Graphics are not particularly impressive
- Inconsistent song selection
- Could benefit from a larger song library
