Just Dance 2

[justinsane4]

I know there are some of you out there that are die-hard, rabid, and fanatical Dance Dance Revolution fans. I also know that there's the rest of you that understand that Dance Dance Revolution is not at all like real dancing. Well, back in 2009 Ubisoft created a game that is the best of both world with Just Dance, and now the same game company is back a second time around. This is Just Dance 2 exclusively for the Wii console. It features the same fun as the original while adding new features and songs.

Console: Nintendo Wii
Release Date: 10/12/2010(NA) 10/14/2010(EU)
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Paris
Players: 1-8
ESRB Rating: E10+

In late 2009, the worldwide known gaming company, Ubisoft, released a breakthrough game on the Wii called Just Dance. This game quickly gained sales and publicity. The game sold over 4 million copies worldwide and managed to take dance-based games away from the long lasting step-pattern games such as Dance Dance Revolution and In The Groove. Following Ubisoft's surprisingly popular game, a sequel was released in the fall of 2010, and it was advertised to be an even more addictive game.

Much like the original game, there is no existing storyline, goal, nor ending. It is made solely for the party-type gamers. The game focuses primarily on the replay factor of the music and rhythm genre. Players merely aim for and set a high score, and hope that someone else does not take it away.

Warning: This game is not for those prone to epileptic seizures. Srsly.

Graphically, Just Dance 2 doesn't focus as much on the actual shapes and design. Instead, they just throw in neon silhouettes of real dancers in front of themed backgrounds and flashing lights. While not a big factor in this type of game, it has certainly improved from the original. As a reminder for everyone, this game is NOT for anyone with health issues related to bright, flashing light strobes and similar effects.

New modes make more than one dance per song a great addition.

Ubisoft cut no corners in improving as many aspects of Just Dance 2 as possible. The remote detection is better, and then game does not require the Wii Motion Plus accessory, so no extra expenses are necessary. The controls are no different than the original installment. The only time players have to press any buttons is when dealing with the game's menus. The rest is just waving the remote around with the body in sync with the motions that scroll on the screen along with the "dancer" moving through the moves as well. However, since the game only picks up the position and movement of the remote, players can easily get away with a lazy wave of the arm and nothing more, but that's no fun, is it?

Now, the original Just Dance was focused very strictly on a Quickplay mode, featuring a single on-screen dancer, performing the same moves and routine with the song being played. Now, Just Dance 2 hasn't strayed away from that aspect, but they have added onto it. If someone plays alone, then it'll be the same dance for every song. However, with certain songs, if there are multiple players participating, players can select the new Duets Mode, where an additional dancer may be on-screen, performing an entirely different routine outside of some of the primary melodic movements. This opens up more scoring possibilities and more fun from the same song. Not to mention Duets usually are the more comical way to go, as it involves more spinning and other goofy moves for everyone to see.

Along with Duets, there are two more new game modes added to Just Dance 2, including the 8 player Dance/Team Battle Mode, a round based minigame, including 5 different games for each of the rounds to be played. This includes a classic, highest score wins setup, a Simon Says setup, where one player does a quick freestyle, and the following players have to mimic the moves made, and other score based setups. Lastly, there's the Just Sweat Mode. This is for the gamer looking for fun and real exercise. Players set a number in the game, which is the amount of estimated calories that they would like to burn, and they just play continuously until the game thinks that they've gotten to your goal. This is a great mode, as an hour of fun dancing routines sure does beat an hour of treadmill running or push-ups.

The Just Sweat Mode keeps score along with your "sweat", so feel free to keep setting those high scores.

Clearly, the sound is the marquee feature in the game. All songs are very well done, both originals and DJ remixes. Not to mention the variety of the track list benefits most any music taste. Whether you're a fan of Elvis Presley, or you're a fan of Ke$ha, I'm sure something in this game will satisfy you, unless you're a heavy metal only type of person. In which case, stick to DDR and Guitar Hero. Nothing heavy or hardcore for you in this game.

Alongside the various game modes to dance away to, there are over 40 songs on the disc when purchased to keep people busy. If players somehow manage to completely burn themselves out on the songs available, then they can get more songs online. Just Dance 2 features the "Pay-To-Play" addition, allowing people to shop directly from the game to download many more songs to freshen up the livelihood of the track list. This feature alone makes Just Dance 2 a game that can last well enough until the next installment of this breakthrough title.

Be careful not to kick each other. It might hurt.

In conclusion, this game is an incredible sequel to an extremely popular game. For being one of the only games to feature full-body dancing amongst all consoles and the only real competition for the Xbox 360 Kinect's Dance Central, it'll do for any Wii owner. While in comparison, Dance Central is a much more fluid and involving game, Wii-only owners can rest easy knowing that Ubisoft has no intentions of taking the Just Dance name to another system and plans to only improve the game from here. This is one of the rare, great 3rd party Wii-exclusive games, and if you don't have it already, pick it up, rent it, give it a try. I guarantee you, your friends, and your family will have a blast.

I give Just Dance 2 a very strong 9 out of 10.

[MissGuidance]

Cuz baby your a fiiiiirrework~ ^_^

Im not into these kind of games but they seem fun~

[StylinLilPRO]

I like the song they have on the game

I dont like dancing games. Make me tired

[mixedboi]

I like the song they have on the game

I dont like dancing games. Make me tired

Good exercise, that's probably what they were aiming for.

[MapleSyrup]

This game is very popular at my school. xD It's a very fun game, AWESOME party game for anyone. >w<

[Baseballer]

See, Ive played Just Dance (First one) and tbh...it wasnt all that bad. However, now that I have my Kinect and Dance Central, well....lets just say that there is no going back.

Just Dance is a fun game with lots of people, and so is Dance Central. Its just that, for me, Dance Central offers a level of precision when it comes to move execution, that just isnt matched. So for me, DC is where its at. :D

Btw, Great Review Justin. Very well written! :D

[SlidellTigers]

I have this game it is so freakin fun.

[MissGuidance]

YouTube - Just Dance 2 | OFFICIAL E3 trailer Nintendo Wii


E3 Trailer xD

[Hyoushou]

So this is the Review that you were working on for like a month.

All in all, it looks interesting, but I probably won't be getting this any time soon, bcoz no Wii.

[Yepezoxd]

My older Brother actually has this game! (>.>)