It's hardly innovative, but you won't find a better time on the dance floor this year.
Just Dance 2014 could easily be accused of going "by-the-numbers." Very little has changed with this year's edition, as you continue to dance with a number of pre-choreographed virtual dancers to songs from the likes of Nicky Minaj, Katy Perry ("ROAR!") and others. But sometimes you just have to look past what a game has to offer technically and ask yourself, "Hey, am I having fun?" Depending how many people you have around, Just Dance 2014 easily provides this experience.
Sure, dancing by yourself can be a bit of a bummer, though the Just Sweat workout mode is ideal for shedding a few pounds, even if all the song choices aren't exactly what you'd consider workout material. (Where's Olivia Newton John's "Physical"?!) At least it serves a purpose, and you can practice up for when the next big feature of the game comes into play – dancing with friends.
The game, as always, supports up to four people, who are kept track of either with the game-tracking devices or, in the case of our Wii U version, additional remotes. It's not a big deal, though, as the game continues to read dancing motions rather well, though you're not really in it for a high-scoring contest anyway. The point is to just have fun with it, and, dare I admit it, Just Dance 2014 does just that.
Part of the appeal is the gameplay. Anyone can get into it, and not everyone has to be a master at it. In fact, some of the dance routines are so complex that you'd have to be a nimble-footed Kevin Bacon wannabe to even come close to successfully nailing all the moves. It's the simple joy of having fun with it and seeing some good ratings as a result – the game doesn't insult you too badly if you suck at first – that makes it so approachable. On that end, Ubisoft does continue the status quo, and gladly.
