Plot: What’s it about?
Dance Central was one of the original Kinect’s key franchises, so it is great to see it make the jump to Xbox One. Dance Central Spotlight takes the series back to basics, with a simple, but effective approach. A low price point ($10) grants you access to the same dance mechanics you know and love, without some of the bells & whistles from previous installments. The focus is on dance, not narrative modes or other complications. The game comes with ten tracks, but unlike earlier versions of Dance Central, they boast multiple routines. So each song packs in a standard routine, two alternate versions, and exercise based versions, all offering a unique experience. The fitness aspect is ramped up this time around, letting you create custom workout playlists and even allowing you to track calories burned. You can also test your dance skills with four levels of difficulty, the hardest of which is certain to put even skilled dancers through their paces. So in the end, we have a pared down, but highly focused product, one that drops all the filler and makes sure the dancing is what matters. I’m sure some will miss the story mode and mini-games, but Dance Central Spotlight shines as a dance game and that is what fans should focus on.
The core mechanics remain the same as ever for Dance Central, as you mimic the dance moves on screen, then earn a score based on your performance. Seems simple enough, but of course, to master the moves you’ll need to invest some serious practice hours. This is where the practice mode comes in handy, as you’re able to nail down each move, then chain them together to master the entire set list. While this is business as usual, I found the responsiveness to be better than ever, not to mention the impressive song selection. So yes, this is more of the same, but with a series as excellent as Dance Central, why complain? Now we have one of the most important elements of a Dance Central game, the songs. While only 10 songs have been included, they’re all prime dance tracks and cover some big hits. I think Royals by Lorde is the highlight, but other artists include Rihanna, Cher Lloyd, Pharrell Williams, and others. You can also purchase new songs from the marketplace and if a song you already own for previous games is available on Xbox One, you can download it at no additional cost. If you’re looking for a fun way to exercise, a party game that is sure to please, or just a way to practice your groove, Dance Central Spotlight is well worth a look.
Video: How’s it look?
The Dance Central experience has never looked so good. The visual design from previous games is still here, but now it looks bolder and more refined than ever. This series has some great character designs on the dancers, so fans should appreciate them making the leap to Xbox One. The visuals are colorful and bright, with signature elements that really give off the vibe that Dance Central is known for. Even though this is a downloadable game, it more than does justice to the visual design of Dance Central’s disc based heritage.
Audio: How’s it sound?
This is a game that centers on music, of course it sounds awesome. The songs come across with potent, powerful presence that really helps you get into the groove. If the music sounded thin, it would impede the experience, so this rich, full sound really makes the entire package work. From the menus to the actual dance music, Dance Central Spotlight sounds awesome and never gives us any reason to complain, even a little.
