Just Dance 2015
Just Dance 2015 is a dance video game developed by Ubisoft Paris and Ubisoft Milan and published by Ubisoft. The sixth main installment in the Just Dance series, it was announced at Ubisoft's E3 2014 press event on 9 June 2014 alongside Just Dance Now—a web-based spin-off of the franchise. It was released for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Wii, and Wii U on 21 October 2014 in North America, 23 October in Europe, 24 October in the UK and 25 October in Asia.[1] A sequel, Just Dance 2016 was released in October 2015.
| Just Dance 2015 | |
|---|---|
 North American box art | |
| Developer(s) | |
| Publisher(s) | Ubisoft |
| Producer(s) | Ubisoft |
| Series | Just Dance |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 3, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player  |
2015 introduced additional social networking features to the series, including the ability for players to challenge other players online, and submit clips of themselves playing for inclusion into crowdsourced "Community Remix" routines featured in-game. The game also added the ability for a smartphone to be used as a controller with a companion app.
Just Dance 2015 received mostly positive reviews by critics, praising the franchise's continued focus on casual audience through its forgiving motion detection, multiplayer functionality, and pop-oriented soundtrack, although criticism was directed at the soundtrack for focusing too much on teen pop, as well as its user interface for having confusing and irregular conventions. As of December 31, 2014, 4 million copies have been shipped worldwide.[2]
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. A new "challenge" feature was added, which allows players to send and receive challenges to and from other players as ghost data.[3] As with the spin-off Just Dance Now, Just Dance 2015 allows a smartphone to be used as a controller with a companion app, as an alternative to requiring a console's own motion control accessories. Motions are detected through the phone using its internal sensors.[4][5]
A new "wall" feature allows players to view news and updates, including received challenges.[6] The online "World Dance Floor" mode introduced in 2014 returned,[3] along with the "Autodance" video creator. Players could also submit clips of their own gameplay for a chance to be incorporated into a "Community Remix"—routines for selected songs that feature a compilation of player videos in place of the rendered dancers.[7]
All online services ended on November 19, 2018.[8]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of Just Dance 2015 includes 45 songs spanning across various genres.[3] Geoffroy Sardin, Ubisoft EMEA's senior vice president of marketing, explained that the soundtrack was intended to contain "more top Billboard artists than ever before", citing demand by players.[9]
Note: "Dancing Queen" by ABBA was supposed to be in the game but was removed for unknown reasons. It later made an appearance in Just Dance 2018 as a Just Dance Unlimited exclusive.
- Available in Chinese version of the game.
- Available in Chinese Xbox One version of the game.
- Unlockable in the PAL regions. Available as DLC for NTSC regions, excluding the United States and Canada.
- Uplay reward
- PAL regions only. Available as DLC for NTSC regions.
- NTSC regions only. Available as DLC for PAL regions.
Downloadable content
Additional songs for Just Dance 2015 were released as downloadable content. Some DLC songs were re-issues of songs released as DLC for previous editions.
| Song | Artist | Year | Release date |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Break Free"[14] | Ariana Grande featuring Zedd | 2014 | 21 October 2014 |
| "I Luh Ya Papi"[15] | Jennifer Lopez featuring French Montana | 2014 | 21 October 2014 |
| "Papaoutai" | Stromae | 2013 | 21 October 2014 (NTSC regions) |
| "Till I Find You" | Austin Mahone | 2014 | 21 October 2014 (PAL regions) |
| "Movement Is Happiness (Find Your Thing)" | Avishay Goren and Yossi Cohen | 2014 | 21 October 2014 (NTSC regions)[lower-alpha 1] |
| "One Way or Another (Teenage Kicks)" | One Direction | 2013 | 21 October 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Don't You Worry Child" | Swedish House Mafia featuring John Martin | 2012 | 21 October 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Wake Me Up" | Avicii featuring Aloe Blacc | 2013 | 21 October 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Sexy and I Know It" | LMFAO | 2011 | 21 October 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Gangnam Style" | PSY | 2012 | 21 October 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Roar" | Katy Perry | 2013 | 21 October 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Die Young" | Kesha | 2012 | 21 October 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Just Dance" | Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis | 2008 | 21 October 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "I Need Your Love" | Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding | 2013 | 21 October 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Moves Like Jagger" | Maroon 5 featuring Christina Aguilera | 2011 | 21 October 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Beauty and a Beat" | Justin Bieber featuring Nicki Minaj | 2012 | 21 October 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "We Can't Stop" | Miley Cyrus | 2013 | 25 November 2014 |
| "Want U Back" | Cher Lloyd featuring Astro | 2012 | 25 November 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "C'mon" | Kesha | 2012 | 25 November 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Kiss You" | One Direction | 2013 | 25 November 2014 (2014 re-release) |
| "Funhouse" | P!nk | 2009 | 25 November 2014 (4 re-release) |
| "Boom Clap" | Charli XCX | 2014 | 20 January 2015 |
| "Kiss Kiss" | Prince Royce | 2014 | 20 January 2015 |
| "Let It Go" (Sing-Along Alternate) | Disney's Frozen (as made famous by Idina Menzel) | 2013 | 20 January 2015 |
| "India Waale"[16] | From Happy New Year | 2014 | 20 January 2015 |
| "Rock N Roll"[17] | Avril Lavigne | 2013 | 20 January 2015 (2014 re-release) |
- Not including the United States and Canada.
Reception
Just Dance 2015 received mixed-to-positive reviews by critics; Metacritic lists the Xbox One version of the game with an aggregate score of 70 out of 100 based on 17 critic reviews.[18]
Zack Stein of IGN gave the Xbox One version of Just Dance 2015 an 8.0 out of 10; describing the game as "a welcome, surprising reinvigoration of the series", Stein praised the game for continuing to provide an overall experience catered to a casual audience, jump-in multiplayer, along with improved Kinect motion tracking in-game, and the higher-quality production of the per-song background videos, but criticized the user interface for being "as confusing and frustrating as ever" due to irregular design choices and behaviors. In conclusion, Stein felt that "It would be easy to dismiss Just Dance 2015 as the 'same-old-same-old,' but that would overlook this finely tuned party game’s special-effects-laden dance numbers, complete with chorus lines and elaborate sets and costumes, and the social integration that holds the world-wide Just Dance community together."[3]
Game Revolution, giving the game a 3 out of 5, felt that the game's soundtrack was "high-energy" albeit catered to a casual audience, noting that "singles like Pharrell's 'Happy' provide a strong pop basis while oddballs like a Tetris track or an unfortunately obnoxious song about a fox explore the far reaches of danceable contemporary music." Still, Just Dance 2015 was praised for its forgiving motion detection and multiplayer experience, concluding that "of my own preferences regarding the music genre, dancing remains somewhere out of the lead when it comes to interacting with sound and visuals, though Just Dance 2015 hits on every requirement I have from anything asking me to move my feet without a pad to stomp on."[12]
Steve Hannley of Hardcore Gamer was more critical of Just Dance 2015, arguing that it did not provide enough differentiation over Just Dance 2014 to be described as anything more than a "track pack". Hannley felt that the game's social features, although well-designed, would not appeal to what he believed was the game's target audience (those playing the game for exercise, not wanting to dance in public, or are "underage"). The game's soundtrack was also criticized for being the worst in series history for "clearly catering to teeny boppers and in doing so [leaving] out practically anybody older than 21 with decent taste in music", and containing fewer "good" songs than 2014. In conclusion, giving the game a 3 out of 5, Hannley argued that "Just Dance is a series that's hard to hate as it genuinely wants players to have a good time, but 2015 is a misstep. Hardly anything has changed and practically nothing has for those who don’t partake in the online functionality".[6]
As of December 31, 2014 Just Dance 2015 has shipped 4 million copies.[2]
References
- "Just Dance 2015 grooves onto systems in October [update]". Joystiq. June 9, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- "Ubisoft® reports third quarter 2014-15 sales" (PDF). Ubisoft. February 13, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 13, 2015. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- "Just Dance 2015 Review: Happiness is the truth-ah". IGN. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- "Just Dance Now Releasing September 25 for Free on Android and iOS". NDTV Gadgets. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- "E3 2014: Just Dance 2015, Just Dance Now Announced". GameSpot. June 9, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- "Review: Just Dance 2015". Hardcore Gamer. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- "Ubisoft® Unveils Just Dance® 2015 for Consoles and Just Dance® Now– a New Mobile Experience". MarketWatch. June 9, 2014. Retrieved June 11, 2014.
- Ubisoft Support Staff. "Online Services Update Masterlist". Ubisoft Forums. Ubisoft. Archived from the original on 13 November 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
- "Just Dance 2015 full track list announced". Computer and Video Games. Future. Archived from the original on 10 February 2015. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- "Gamescom 2014: 8 More Songs Revealed for Just Dance 2015". IGN. 13 August 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2014.
- "Let It Go - Performed by Nicki Gonzalez for Just Dance 2015". The Nicki Sessions. 4 April 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
- "Just Dance 2015 Review". Game Revolution. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
- "Austin Mahone's Fan Experiences, 'If I Stay' Premiere & 'Big Men' Preview". AccessHollywood.com. NBCUniversal. 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
- Just Dance (2 October 2014). "Ariana Grande Ft. Zedd - Break Free". YouTube. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
- Just Dance (20 October 2014). "Xbox Market - I Luh Ya Papi". Microsoft. Retrieved 2014-10-02.
- "Just Dance meets Bollywood with global superstar Shah Rukh Khan". Just Dance UK. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 2014-12-09.
- ""Rock N Roll" by Avril Lavigne". Xbox Marketplace. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 2015-01-19.
- "Just Dance 2015 for Xbox One". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 26 June 2015.