Dance Central 2 Review for Xbox 360

System: Xbox 360
Dev: Harmonix
Pub: MTV Games
Release: October 25, 2011
Players: 1-2
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p

The game also has a great soundtrack. Though the back of the box boasts that you can play 100 songs right now, only 44 are on the disc (the others need to be imported from the original Dance Central or purchased separately). However, these 44 songs feature a great mix of old and new hits. Popular songs like Lady Gaga's "Born this Way" and Rihanna's "Rude Boy" are instantly recognizable, but the game also features some hits from decades past, including Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative" and Mary J. Blige's "Real Love." Oh, and just for fun the game also includes "What is Love" (from A Night at the Roxbury), but don't worry, you'll have to do more than just bob your head.

Dance Central 2 Screenshot

Visually, Dance Central 2 is on par with its predecessor. The game's has its own exaggerated visual style and sports an almost cel-shaded look. The game's real strength, however, is in its animation, which is incredibly detailed. Because you rely so heavily on watching the characters move to the music, the animation has to be spot-on, and this game has an impeccable sense of rhythm. The visuals are also bolstered by the game's minimalistic hub, which doesn't overcomplicate the interface.

If you've played the original Dance Central, you know pretty much what to expect from the sequel. However, Dance Central 2 is far from a carbon copy of its predecessor, introducing tons of new moves and modes to help players get into the groove. The dance itself hasn't changed, but the steps have been updated, and at the end of the day, that's all this franchise really needed. If you want to dance like a crazy person in the middle of your living room, you can do no better than Dance Central 2. So go ahead. Dance like no one's watching!

By Amanda L. Kondolojy
CCC Senior Contributing Writer

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.0

Graphics
Visuals are highly stylized, and animation is top-notch.

4.5

Control
Body tracking in Dance Central 2 is the most sophisticated I've ever seen on the Kinect.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The soundtrack has a great mix of new hits and old favorites.

4.3

Play Value
There are plenty of songs to dance to in the exhibition mode, and newbies will appreciate the exhaustive training mode.

4.2

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

It's Party Time! Team up with your friends to dance collaboratively with all-new simultaneous multiplayer features. Players can drop in or out at any point during a song, so the party never has to stop!

Pump up the Volume! Dance Central 2 features an unparalleled soundtrack of more than 40 new dance hits and classics. The new, fully integrated in-game Music Store will allow players to expand their song library by importing their Dance Central song list for Dance Central 2, bringing the number of songs available at launch to more than 100 tracks!

Kick it with the Crews! Dance Central 2 features a variety of new characters and fan favorites paired up as dance crews, each with custom outfits, backup dancers, and signature venues.

As Real as It Gets. Dance Central 2 provides detailed feedback for each player and, for the first time, enables voice commands within the practice process!