Dance Central (2010 video game)
| Dance Central | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Harmonix Music Systems |
| Publisher(s) | MTV Games[1] |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 |
| Release | November 4, 2010 |
| Genre(s) | Music, Rhythm, Exercise |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer dance battle |
Dance Central is a music video game for the Xbox 360 that utilizes the Kinect motion peripheral. The game was developed by Harmonix, creators of the Guitar Hero and Rock Band franchises, and is a launch title for Kinect. It was released in North America on November 4, 2010. A version for PlayStation 3 is being "considered".[2]
Gameplay
Gameplay involves the player performing given dance moves which are tracked by Kinect and represented on the screen by one of eight in-game avatars. The game features over 650 different dance moves spanning over 90 dance routines. There are five modes available:
- Perform It: The regular single-player gameplay mode, in which the objective is to complete these dance routines to earn a high score.
- Workout Mode: An extension to regular mode in which the number of calories burned are also tracked, along with the workout time.
- Dance Battle: Two players compete in a head-to head dance routine battle. The person with the highest score is the winner. In the rare event there is a tie in the score, the player who passed more moves wins.
- Challenge Mode: Once four songs in each category have at least four stars on each one, a challenge based on the difficulty is unlocked. This mode increases the difficulty of the game by having four songs combined into one, thus mixing up the dance moves. All challenges must be completed with five stars on each challenge in order to unlock the final challenge.
- Break it Down: A practice mode that allows beginners to learn more advanced dance moves in a step-by-step process.[3]
Avatars
The eight main avatars are as follows:
- Angel
- Miss Aubrey (Aubrey)
- Emilia
- Dare
- MacCoy
- Mo
- Oblio
- Taye
Eliot is a secret robotic character which is unlocked after either reaching the maximum rank in the game or earning four stars on the final Challenge Mode level.
Soundtrack
On Disc
The following 32 songs are included on the game disc.[4][5]
Downloadable Content
The following songs have been released as downloadable content for 240 Microsoft Points ($3.00) via the Xbox Live Marketplace. These songs also deliver new routines.
| Song title | Artist | Decade |
|---|---|---|
| "Because of You" | Ne-Yo | 2000s |
| "I Got You Dancing" | Lady Sovereign | 2000s |
| "Temperature" | Sean Paul | 2000s |
| "Disturbia" | Rihanna | 2000s |
| "I Gotta Feeling" | Black Eyed Peas | 2000s |
| "Word Up!" | Cameo | 1980s |
| "Girls and Boys" | Blur | 1990s |
| "Whoomp! (There It Is)" | Tag Team | 1990s |
The following songs have been released as downloadable content for free with codes distributed as part of a commercial promotion. These songs also deliver new routines.
| Song title | Artist | Decade | Brand or Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Control" | Janet Jackson | 1980s | Best Buy |
Reception
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| GameRankings | 83.15%[6] |
| Metacritic | 82%[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Eurogamer | 8/10[9] |
| GameSpot | 8.5/10[10] |
| IGN | 8.0/10[8] |
| X-Play |   |
The game has received favorable reviews from critics, garnering an average score of 82 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 53 reviews.[7] The game received a rating of 8/10 from IGN and a rating of 8.5/10 from GameSpot.[8][10] Popzara's Brittany Vincent praised the game, saying "Dance Central may be the best game of its type ever made. It sashays out of the gate swinging with slick presentation, fantastically responsive controls, a shakin' set list, and the innovative edge of hands-free control. As a party game, a workout option, or even a private break down, it just works; it's the next evolution for dance games."[11] Video game talk show Good Game gave the game an 8 out of 10 calling it the best launch game for the Kinect and a step forward for dance games. They said workout mode was a nice addition which will definitely give you a workout and the Dance Battles would be a big hit at parties.[12]
It sold 1.2 million copies in first 8 weeks.[13]
References
- ^ http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/splash/d/dancecentral/default.htm
- ^ http://kotaku.com/5569957/harmonix-dance-central-could-come-to-ps3-but-not-wii
- ^ "E3 2010: Harmonix Demos Dance Central at Microsoft's E3 Press Conference". 1up.com. 2010-06-14. Retrieved 2010-06-14.
- ^ Harmonix's "Dance Central" for Xbox 360 Kinect Coming Holiday 2010
- ^ "Cross Country Tour Day 12: Dancing and playtesting at Harmonix". 1up.com. 2010-Sept-2. Retrieved 2010-Sept-6.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "Dance Central for Xbox 360". GameRankings. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ a b "Dance Central (Xbox360: 2010): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2010-11-18.
- ^ a b Clements, Ryan (2010-11-03). "Dance Central Kinect Review". IGN. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ Gibson, Ellie (2010-11-04). "Dance Central Xbox 360 Review". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ a b Watters, Chris (2010-11-04). "Dance Central Review for Xbox 360". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
- ^ "Dance Central (Xbox 360) Review". Popzara. November 19, 2010.
- ^ Bendixsen 8/10, O'Donnell 8/10 (29 November 2010). "Kinect Round Up Review". Season 5. Episode 42. ABC Television.
{{cite episode}}: External link in|transcripturl=|series=(help); Unknown parameter|transcripturl=ignored (|transcript-url=suggested) (help) - ^ http://gamrreview.vgchartz.com/sales/45609/dance-central/