More Grooves, New Features, and Familiar Hiccups Await Just Dance Enthusiasts
As 2024 beckons, Ubisoft returns to the dancefloor with the latest addition to their rhythm-packed franchise, the Just Dance 2024 Edition. Building upon the solid foundation of its 2023 predecessor, which marked a notable improvement in visuals and user experience, this year’s installment maintains the groove while introducing some fresh tracks and online features.
The 2023 version of Just Dance impressed players with its sleeker look and the ability to remove persistent reminders for the game’s subscription service, Just Dance+. This service, offering an additional 300 songs, was a significant enhancement to the Just Dance experience. While not a groundbreaking revolution, it was undoubtedly a step in the right direction.
Just Dance 2024 Edition carries forward this positive momentum. It introduces 40 new tracks spanning a diverse range of genres and styles. You’ll find Destiny’s Child’s ‘Survivor’ alongside D Billions’ ‘My Name Is,’ and Whitney Houston’s ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ paired with Jamiroquai’s ‘Canned Heat.’ Recent chart-toppers like Miley Cyrus’ ‘Flowers’ and Sam Smith’s ‘I’m Not Here To Make Friends’ join the lineup. To ensure a harmonious match with your musical tastes, it’s wise to peruse the full tracklist before diving in.
The standout feature this year is the ability to play online with owners of the 2023 Edition. While some songs might not be compatible between versions, it’s a welcome quality-of-life addition that aligns with Ubisoft’s goal of evolving Just Dance into a persistent online platform. You can now challenge high scores on the in-game leaderboard and share your achievements with friends. This feature adds a competitive edge to the game.
However, the downside of an online platform is susceptibility to server and connection issues. Even with a robust 250MB fiber broadband connection, menu navigation can be frustratingly sluggish. Frequent linking to Ubisoft Connect adds about a minute of waiting each time you launch the game. Furthermore, image loading delays accompany song titles, reminding players that much of the game relies on server connections.
Despite these hiccups, Just Dance 2024 Edition serves its purpose for dance enthusiasts. While it won’t convert non-believers, and substantial improvements are lacking, the quality-of-life enhancements from the previous year remain intact. It’s a dance party that keeps the beat, even if it occasionally stumbles over its own feet.