Just Dance 2014 Explained

Just Dance 2014
Publisher:Ubisoft
Engine:UbiArt Framework
Series:Just Dance
Released:Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii UPlayStation 4Xbox One
Genre:Music, rhythm
Modes:Single-player, multiplayer
Platforms:PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

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.

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

As 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).Selected songs now feature "On Stage" modes—routines in which one player dances in a lead role while others perform as backup dancers. 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. 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. 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. "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.[1]

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] [3]

All online services for the game were discontinued on 19 November 2018.[4] [5]

Soundtrack

There are a total of 50 songs in the main soundtrack.

SongArtistYear
"
  1. thatPOWER
"
2013
"99 Luftballons" Rutschen Planeten (as made famous by Nena) 1983
"Alfonso Signorini (Eroe Nazionale)" 2013
"Applause" 2013
"Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" The Sunlight Shakers (as made famous by The 5th Dimension) 1969
"Blame It on the Boogie" Mick Jackson (as made famous by The Jacksons) 1978
"Blurred Lines" 2013
"C'mon" 2012
"Candy" 2012
"Careless Whisper" 1984
"Could You Be Loved" 1980
"Dançando" 2013
"Danse (Pop Version)" 2013
"Feel So Right" 2013
"Feel This Moment" 2013
"Fine China" 2013
"Flashdance... What a Feeling" The Girly Team (as made famous by Irene Cara) 1983
"Follow the Leader" 2012
"Gentleman" Psy2013
"Get Lucky" Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams 2013
"Ghostbusters" 1984
"Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)" 1979
"I Kissed a Girl" 2008
"I Will Survive" 1978
"In the Summertime" 1970
"Isidora" Bog Bog Orkestar 1952
"It's You" 2013
"Just a Gigolo" 1956
"Just Dance" 2008
"Kiss You" 2013
"Limbo" 2012
"Love Boat" Frankie Bostello (as made famous by Jack Jones) 1977
"María" 1995
"Miss Understood" Sammie 2013
"Moskau" Dancing Bros. (as made famous by Dschinghis Khan) 1979
"Nitro Bot" Sentai Express 2013
"Pound the Alarm" 2012
"Prince Ali" Disney's Aladdin (as made famous by Robin Williams) 1992
"Rich Girl" 2004
"Safe and Sound" 2011
"She Wolf (Falling to Pieces)" 2012
"Starships" Nicki Minaj 2012
"The Other Side" 2013
"The Way" 2013
"Troublemaker" 2012
"Turn Up the Love" 2012
"Waking Up in Vegas" Katy Perry 2008
"Where Have You Been" 2011
"Wild" 2013
"Y.M.C.A" 1978

Downloadable content

Additional 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.

SongArtistYearRelease Date
"Roar" 2013 1 October 2013
"Pound the Alarm" ("Extreme" alternate routine) 2012 1 October 2013
"Can't Hold Us" 2011 1 October 2013
"Wake Me Up" 2013 1 October 2013
"What About Love" 2013 26 November 2013
"American Girl" 2013 26 November 2013
"One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" 2013 26 November 2013
"Sexy and I Know It" 2011 26 November 2013
"Blurred Lines" ("Extreme" alternate routine) 2013 26 November 2013
"The Other Side" (PAL) 2013 26 November 2013
"We Can't Stop" 2013 26 November 2013
"Dançando" (PAL) 2013 17 December 2013
"Don't You Worry Child" 2012 17 December 2013
"I Need Your Love" 2013 17 December 2013
"Can't Get Enough" 2013 17 December 2013
"My Main Girl" 2013 17 December 2013
"Gangnam Style" Psy2012 17 December 2013 (4 re-release)
"Applause" ("Official Choreography" ("On Stage") alternate routine) 2013 17 December 2013
"
  1. thatPOWER
" ("On Stage" routine)
2013 17 December 2013
"Timber" 2013 11 February 2014
"Just Dance" ("Sweat" routine) 2008 11 February 2014
"Die Young" Kesha 2012 11 February 2014 (4 re-release)
"Rock N Roll" 2013 11 February 2014
"Funhouse" 2009 25 March 2014 (4 re-release)
"Part of Me" Katy Perry 2012 25 March 2014 (4 re-release)
"Moves Like Jagger" 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" Katy Perry 2009 22 April 2014
"The World is Ours" 2014 6 May 2014

Reception

IGN praised Just Dance 2014s 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]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: World Dance Floor is Just Dance 2014's 'biggest departure'. 21 August 2013. Megan. Farokhmanesh. Polygon. 27 May 2020.
  2. Web site: Just Dance 2014 Wii U review: It'll be okay.. IGN. 11 October 2013 . 27 June 2015.
  3. Web site: Games Breaking New Ground with Xbox SmartGlass: Dead Rising 3, Project Spark, Just Dance 2014. Xbox Wire. 4 October 2013. Microsoft. 27 June 2015.
  4. News: Ubisoft to terminate online services for Just Dance 2018 on last-gen consoles . en . Eurogamer.net . 2018-10-22.
  5. Web site: Ubisoft Support Staff . Online Services Update Masterlist . https://web.archive.org/web/20181113015025/https://forums.ubi.com/showthread.php/1241617-Online-Services-Update-Masterlist-Forums . 13 November 2018 . 13 November 2018 . Ubisoft Forums . Ubisoft.