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So, while the review aggregates are only around the 70s, for fans, it may as well be a 10/10. Let’s look at what Just Dance 2022 did objectively well and what it could have done better.
8 Best: Just Dance Unlimited
There aren’t that many songs packaged within the core of the game. Just Dance 2022 has about 40 tracks with a few repeat numbers that vary up the dance routines. Just Dance Unlimited can help pick up the slack because the service features over 700 songs. It’s a lot to take in.
There are classics on there from the very first game to the very last preceding Just Dance 2022. From single dances to co-op routines, there is something there for everyone. Best of all there is a 30-day free trial that players can start whenever they feel like jumping online.
7 Worst: Online Restrictions
Just Dance Unlimited is a great service that requires an online connection as well as a paid membership. There are some issues with that but that’s mostly fine. What isn’t are the four songs in the lineup that cannot be accessed unless players are online. A subscription to Just Dance Unlimited is not required. Players only need to be online. That’s a nice bonus but it comes with a bit of frustration.
Camillo Cabello’s “Don’t Go Yet” is prominently highlighted on Just Dance 2022’s box art without asterisk warning players of the online restriction. On the back of the box, there is a label saying some features require online access, which is common but it doesn’t specifically call out to “Don’t Go Yet.” It’s a bit weird. The three other songs are “Buttons” by The Pussycat Dolls, “Good 4 U” by Olivia Rodrigo, and “My Way” by Domino Saints. On the plus side, those are all fun songs to dance to.
6 Best: Creative Dance Backgrounds
The choreography in the series has gotten better over time. Moves are a lot easier to sync with the motion controls now than they ever used to be. The routines are elaborate but easy to follow with practice. Better than the dances are the backgrounds and central themes of each song.
There are two highlights in Just Dance 2022 that really show someone at Ubisoft has a creative bug in them. The first is “Mr. Blue Sky” by The Sunlight Shakers, which is a cover that is performed with a stop-motion video. “Think About Things” by Daoi Freyr is a CG cartoon that looks like a Dreamworks film. Both look great and are some of the most fun songs to dance to.
5 Worst: Overlong Intros And Outros
As great as these dances can look, some song features can hinder the experience. There are quite a few in Just Dance 2022 with either overlong intros or overlong exits. There is no way to fast-forward or cut these segments off.
“Last Friday Night” by Katy Perry is a great example. It’s another fun song to dance to which calls back to almost every entry in the series. However, it takes about 20 seconds before the first dance move enters. During that time players are just left standing around, which can set them back especially if they’re trying to maximize an exercise routine. “Think About Things” by Daoi Freyr has an equally long intro but is also great fun.
4 Best: Co-Op
The co-op modes have always been a nice feature to have in this series. It’s a great party game to pop up to bring up the energy. Just Dance 2022 supports up to six players at a time.
Jumping into Just Dance 2022 is easier than ever since players only need their phones in case the host doesn’t have enough controllers, like Joy-Cons for Switch users, lying around. It’s a good idea to make a lot of room before starting. That’s a pro tip.
3 Worst: World Dance Floor
World Dance Floor is the only online multiplayer in the game. It’s kind of like a Battle Royale experience except without that pesky elimination round. Players will get placed into a room and will have to dance to three random songs from the core game.
Players can see who they are competing against on the left side of the screen. The goal then is to get the best score possible. The mode can be fun, but the downside is that there is no customization. It’s also not great that players can’t compete with friends online with certain songs. The online aspect of multiplayer for Just Dance 2022 can leave some players feeling unsatisfied.
2 Best: Dancing With Lyrics
What’s better than dancing to songs with high energy? Singing along with them. This series has always been great about including lyrics. For those that don’t like them, they can also be turned off.
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It can be a bit difficult to read lyrics while dancing but that’s where practice comes into play. People that aren’t dancing can also have something to do in the room. Singing to the lyrics while someone else dances is like another form of co-op in a way.
1 Worst: Censorship
Censorship is one of the strangest things in Just Dance 2022. It’s great that the game, and overall series, can be played by everyone young and old. Cutting lyrics just seems so archaic in 2021, though, especially when the censorship rules are played fast and loose. Let’s bring up “Last Friday Night.” “Shots” and “I’m screwed” are cut out of the song.
However, “streaking” and “skinny dipping” are not along with “minibar,” which doesn’t make much sense. Most of these songs have adult themes, and censoring a few words means nothing if a child, or whoever, were to analyze what each song was about.
Just Dance 2022was released on November 4, 2021 and is available on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
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