Review by Paolo Marinduque
Why is it that when I play all these hyper-violent video games, no one walks in, but when Just Dance is on …
Just Dance 2022 is the latest installment (as of this writing) of the #1 Music Video Game Franchise of All Time™. Spoilers -- if you already love Just Dance, you already know you’re buying this year’s version. It’s impossible to be a gamer and not encounter Just Dance within your immediate periphery. At this point, you could even play without a console via Just Dance Now.
If you already follow Just Dance, every year’s draw is the new 40-song list -- when I heard that Gen Hoshino’s “Koi” was in this year’s edition, I jumped at the chance to play this version. (Only to realize that it’s exclusive to the Japanese version)
This year’s song list has a great balance of the latest hits, some older hit songs (Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry), as well as the troll songs.
PROS:
- This is the most dynamic the actual dance visuals have been in the last few years -- doing an even better job than 2021 in presenting the coaches not just as flat characters dancing against a 2D background, but actually giving them a bit of depth.
- Collaborations -- there’s a Just Dance version of “Nails, Hair, Hips, Heels” by Todrick Hall that seemingly goes through all the moves in Just Dance in just one song. “Mood” (Alternate Version) featuring Lia Kim’s 1 Million Dance Studio is probably my favorite song to dance to in this title:
- Sweat Mode makes its return, just be sure to pair with a fitness tracker of your choice to get more accurate results.
- World Dance Floor lets you play tournament-style with Just Dance 2022 players in your region. Happy Hour sessions even let you play Just Dance Unlimited songs to get a taste for them. This is my favorite game mode as it makes me think I’m not the only one making a mess of their living room.
- Just Dance Unlimited -- for a subscription fee, you could play almost every track from ALL the previous Just Dance games over the years. You could play “Despacito” in 2022!
- It’s Just Dance, dude.
CONS:
- Just Dance Unlimited -- while Just Dance Unlimited expands the playable song list to 700 tracks if you don’t have it, prepare to get hit by a 2-minute ad of how amazing it is every 3-or-so songs in. An in-game ad for a game you bought full price? Ouch.
- I love/hate how a smartphone is your controller for Just Dance 2022 now -- (no options for controller, and Kinect for the Xbox version, from what I heard) better have a smartphone you don’t daily drive for this -- or find a way to strap it firmly in your hand. This also makes the Nintendo Switch the default best version in terms of controls.
- On the subject of controllers -- since the game tracks just the hand movement -- you could cheat and get 5 stars for some songs while sitting down. Don’t forget leg day.
Hoping to get more insight for this year’s edition, I attempted (and failed) to get 5 stars for each of the songs on the tracklist. What I found is, some songs are an absolute blast to play through (Mood alternate version) and some songs require a bit more dedication to get 5 stars on. You choose your level of involvement.
The title’s single-minded focus “Just Dance” is reason enough to get this game. If you’re looking for a more rigorous video game exercise, pair this with a session of Ring Fit or Fitness Boxing.
[A review copy of the game was provided by Ubisoft in the making of this review.]
[Since the game blocks screen captures, photos of my TV are included in this review.]
ADDENDUM: Just Dance 2022 is part of Black Friday Deals on some online stores:
PS4: (Asia/SG) - deal ends on November 29
PS5: (Asia/SG) - deal ends on November 29
Nintendo Switch: (US) - deal ends on December 1