While many may compare ""Just Dance"" to the other hit dancing game on the market, ""Dance Central,"" they are two vastly different experiences. ""Just Dance 3"" is a party title first and foremost, the infectious visual design and varied soundtrack will make this game an immediate hit for any gathering. This third game sticks to the fundamentals that made the prior two games so popular while adding several new features that enhance the overall experience.
The core gameplay doesn't change from the previous titles: you wave your arms in line with the animated figure on screen as the music plays in the background. While the tracking itself isn't fantastic (it solely tracks the motions of the one hand with the wiimote) and you can technically cheat by only moving that one arm, you're only doing yourself a disservice. Where ""Just Dance"" truly shines is when you can get a group together for the new four-player dance routines. These songs do a great job of providing each dancer with a unique routine while still emphasizing the collective motions of the group. My only complaint is that there aren't enough of both the 2-player duet or the 4-player dance crew routines.
The visuals aren't going to blow anyone away, but the bright neon style matches the music and they still look somewhat impressive even on the underpowered Wii. The soundtrack as well is diverse and provides a wide range of titles from the spooky tones of ""This is Halloween"" to the 70's groove of ""Boogie Wonderland."" The game includes a mixture of genres from rock to disco to pop, creating an impressive soundtrack that rivals any other music game.
For as much fun as ""Just Dance"" can be when you get it out for the latest party, the game doesn't have much appeal beyond that. It only includes two main modes: ""Dance,"" where you can try out each different song while attempting to best your score, or ""Just Sweat"" where you can set up a fitness routine for yourself. Beyond that there isn't much depth to the game. You can unlock various new songs, routines or gameplay modes by earning stars with your performances, but that's essentially the breadth of the experience.
""Just Dance 3"" continues the pedigree of this popular franchise while adding a new four-player mode that provides a great opportunity to have some fun looking stupid while trying to mimic the dances onscreen. While the soundtrack is great and the visuals are eye-catching, the game's lack of depth doesn't provide much reason to take this game out unless you're hosting a party. ""Just Dance 3"" isn't trying to provide a complex dancing game; instead it demonstrates a great opportunity to just dance with your friends whether you're a professional or have absolutely no coordination. However, while this party atmosphere is great, the game ultimately suffers from it's limited scope and doesn't give gamers enough reason to continue their ""Just Dance"" experience once the party is over.
Grade: B
