Just Dance 2014 is a 2013 dance rhythm game developed and published by Ubisoft. The fifth main installment of the Just Dance series, it was announced at Ubisoft's E3 2013 press event, and released for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, and Wii U on 9 October 2013, and for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as a launch title on 15 November and 22 November 2013 respectively.[1]
| Just Dance 2014 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Series | Just Dance |
| Engine | UbiArt Framework |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| Release | Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii UPlayStation 4Xbox One
|
| Genre(s) | Music, rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
The game introduced several new features to the franchise, including expanded second screen support for Wii U and Xbox platforms, the ability to record and share video clips of gameplay on supported platforms, and online multiplayer through the "World Dance Floor" mode.
Gameplay
editAs in previous installments, players must mimic the routine of an on-screen dancer to a chosen song, scoring points based on their accuracy. The game requires motion controllers to dance (Wii Remotes on Wii and Wii U, PlayStation Move on PlayStation 3, a choice of either PlayStation Move or PlayStation Camera on PlayStation 4, and Kinect on Xbox 360 and Xbox One).[2]
Selected songs now feature "On Stage" modes—routines in which one player dances in a lead role while others perform as backup dancers.[3] Lyrics are displayed above the dancers in this mode instead of the bottom left, in order to focus on singing along. The Xbox One version also include an alternate routine for "Kiss You" (serving as a classic routine in that said version instead of the original four player routine, which has been the classic routine on other consoles, in which is now the alternate routine in that said version) that can be played by up to six players at once.[2] However, Dance Crew routines are four players only in that said version. The "AutoDance" is feature allows users to record footage of their gameplay, which can then be uploaded to the Just Dance website or shared on social networks.[2][3] The "Karaoke" feature allows players to use connected microphones to sing along to all of the lyrics on-screen. Players also earn bonus "Mojo" points for singing along.[2][3][4] "Gold Moves" in Mashups have made its return after its absence from the previous game, Just Dance 4.
Online multiplayer was added by means of a ghost data system, as well a new mode known as "World Dance Floor"—in which players compete against others simultaneously on the same song in a massively multiplayer setting. Players can join in at any time with 8 player parties, except for the Wii version, compare their performance against other players during and after each song, and increase their level by playing more often. Occasionally, players can vote to decide on the next song.[4]
Additional second screen features are available on the Wii U, Xbox One and Xbox 360 (via an update) versions of the game using a Wii U GamePad or Xbox SmartGlass, respectively; users can manage playlists, even when the current song is in progress (Xbox One and Xbox 360 versions only), and manipulate gameplay and routines in the "Party Master" mode, which is a revamped version of the "Puppet Master" mode from Just Dance 4, with dance moves no longer tied to all entries of the Just Dance series, and are free to choose any of the four randomized dance moves, as well as the ability to switch songs at certain times. The GamePad's camera can also be used to record AutoDance footage (but effects can't be applied in that version) and serve as a microphone for karaoke, which also has the option to display lyrics on the Gamepad, just like in Just Dance 4.[2][5]
All online services for the game were discontinued on 19 November 2018.[6][7]
Soundtrack
editThere are a total of 50 songs in the main soundtrack.
- ^ a b PAL regions only.
- ^ a b NTSC regions only. Available as DLC for PAL regions.
- ^ "Robot Rock" by Daft Punk was supposed to be on the main tracklist, but was instead replaced with "Nitro Bot" by Sentai Express.
- ^ Requires unlock code obtained through sponsored promotion with Garnier
- ^ Requires unlock code obtained through sponsored promotion with Popchips, also available as DLC
Downloadable content
editAdditional songs and routines for Just Dance 2014 were released as downloadable content. Some DLC songs were re-issues of songs released as DLC for previous editions.
The game offers downloadable content songs for the player to download. One of them is free of charge.
All of the DLC songs are no longer available for the Wii since the Wii Shop Channel's closure. The DLC songs remained available on the Wii U's Nintendo eShop until its closure on 27 March 2023.
| Song | Artist | Year | Release Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Roar"[a] | Katy Perry | 2013 | 1 October 2013 |
| "Pound the Alarm" ("Extreme" alternate routine) | Nicki Minaj | 2012 | 1 October 2013 |
| "Can't Hold Us" | Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton | 2011 | 1 October 2013 |
| "Wake Me Up"[b] | Avicii featuring Aloe Blacc | 2013 | 1 October 2013 |
| "What About Love" | Austin Mahone | 2013 | 26 November 2013 |
| "American Girl" | Bonnie McKee | 2013 | 26 November 2013 |
| "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" | One Direction | 2013 | 26 November 2013 |
| "Sexy and I Know It"[c] | LMFAO | 2011 | 26 November 2013 |
| "Blurred Lines" ("Extreme" alternate routine) | Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell Williams | 2013 | 26 November 2013 |
| "The Other Side"[d] (PAL) | Jason Derulo | 2013 | 26 November 2013 |
| "We Can't Stop"[e] | Miley Cyrus | 2013 | 26 November 2013 |
| "Dançando"[d] (PAL) | Ivete Sangalo | 2013 | 17 December 2013 |
| "Don't You Worry Child" | Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin | 2012 | 17 December 2013 |
| "I Need Your Love" | Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding | 2013 | 17 December 2013 |
| "Can't Get Enough" | Becky G featuring Pitbull | 2013 | 17 December 2013 |
| "My Main Girl" | MainStreet | 2013 | 17 December 2013 |
| "Gangnam Style" | Psy | 2012 | 17 December 2013 (4 re-release) |
| "Applause" ("Official Choreography" ("On Stage") alternate routine) | Lady Gaga | 2013 | 17 December 2013 |
| "#thatPOWER" ("On Stage" routine) | will.i.am featuring Justin Bieber | 2013 | 17 December 2013 |
| "Timber" | Pitbull featuring Kesha | 2013 | 11 February 2014 |
| "Just Dance" ("Sweat" routine) | Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis | 2008 | 11 February 2014 |
| "Die Young"[f] | Kesha | 2012 | 11 February 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Rock N Roll" | Avril Lavigne | 2013 | 11 February 2014 |
| "Funhouse" | Pink | 2009 | 25 March 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Part of Me" | Katy Perry | 2012 | 25 March 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Moves Like Jagger" | Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera | 2011 | 22 April 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Beauty and a Beat" | Justin Bieber featuring Nicki Minaj | 2012 | 22 April 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "We R Who We R" | Kesha | 2010 | 22 April 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "One Thing" | One Direction | 2012 | 22 April 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Waking Up in Vegas"[d][g] | Katy Perry | 2009 | 22 April 2014 |
| "The World is Ours"[h] | David Correy featuring Monobloco | 2014 | 6 May 2014 |
- ^ Free to download.
- ^ No longer available for download on Xbox One.
- ^ This song was planned to be featured on the main track list of Just Dance 4, but was scrapped for unknown reasons.
- ^ a b c On the main tracklist of the NTSC version, but a DLC for PAL.
- ^ This song was meant to be a released DLC for Just Dance 2014, but was ultimately removed and delayed for an unknown reason, despite the fact it was ultimately released by accident. Following the accidental release, it was removed from all online shops and made its return to Just Dance 2015 instead, which would therefore be remade.
- ^ The routine for the song has been remade, and differs from the original design from its debut.
- ^ Originally available as a Popchips promotional song, not available in Europe, but available as DLC.
- ^ Coca-Cola promotional song, not available in the United States and Canada.
Reception
editIGN praised Just Dance 2014's continued focus on being a casual party game in comparison to the more sophisticated nature of Dance Central, acknowledging its "accessible, silly, and endearingly creative" routines, the "On Stage" routines providing "a stage for particularly ostentatious dancers to shine" that "[brims] with sexual tension, an essential element of any classic party game from Truth or Dare to Twister", and increasing production values over previous installments, but also noting that its soundtrack was skewed more towards recent music. It was also noted that the World Dance Floor mode could help players who cannot decide on a song due to the game's large soundtrack. In conclusion, giving the game a 7.9 out of 10, IGN explained that "Just Dance 2014 exerts no pressure, and demands no skill. It just invites you to have fun with it, whoever you are and whatever music you like. It’s wildly silly, creative and colourful, relying on daft, characterful choreography and to evoke a party atmosphere that puts everyone at ease."[2]
References
edit- ^ McElroy, Griffin (10 June 2013). "Just Dance 2014 coming to 'all motion control platforms,' in October, also coming to next-gen". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 14 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f "Just Dance 2014 Wii U review: It'll be okay". IGN. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ a b c Corriea, Alexa Ray (13 June 2013). "Just Dance 2014 gets MMO mode, will be PS4, Xbox One launch title". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2013.
- ^ a b Farokhmanesh, Megan (21 August 2013). "World Dance Floor is Just Dance 2014's 'biggest departure'". Polygon. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ "Games Breaking New Ground with Xbox SmartGlass: Dead Rising 3, Project Spark, Just Dance 2014". Xbox Wire. Microsoft. 4 October 2013. Retrieved 27 June 2015.
- ^ "Ubisoft to terminate online services for Just Dance 2018 on last-gen consoles". Eurogamer.net. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
- ^ Ubisoft Support Staff. "Online Services Update Masterlist". Ubisoft Forums. Ubisoft. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.