Introduction

In the pantheon of dance games that induce sweaty parties and unfiltered embarrassment, 'Just Dance 2016' triumphantly sidles up like that well-meaning friend at a party, eager to show off their questionable dance moves while half the room silently wishes for a fire drill as an excuse to escape. Released by Ubisoft, this iteration boasts more songs, familiar gameplay, and an excessive attachment to mobile devices that might make you wistful for the days when your phone was only good for... well, texting and playing Snake.

Gameplay

As anticipated, players engage with 'Just Dance 2016' by selecting their favorite tracks from a carefully curated list, then, in a flurry of uncoordinated arm flailing and pigeon-like footwork, attempt to mirror the on-screen dancers. The scoring system judges you based on how closely your awkward movements align with the expertly choreographed routines, which can be both motivating and disheartening. Thankfully, you can dance alone or gather a crew-up to six people, mind you, in a stunning display of togetherness or, more accurately, competition. Multiplayer modes include friendly battles and cooperative play, where you can earn "jewels"-not to be confused with the kind your ex stole. The introduction of "Dance Quests" adds a dash of solo challenge by placing players against AI and giving them the chance to show off skills without their friends' judgmental stares. Individual performance recordings are a nice touch for those brave enough to subject others to their own 'interpretive dance' interpretations.

Graphics

Graphically, 'Just Dance 2016' sticks to its tried-and-true vibrant style where colors pop more than a soda can at a frat party. Characters are dazzlingly stylized, and the backgrounds strive for a surreal blend of pop culture and whimsy with enough glitter to make a disco ball weep for mercy. The use of smartphones for tracking movement, introduced here, is a double-edged sword that could leave a player celebrating their groove or cursing at their device for not recognizing their elaborate jazz hands. Those playing on PS3 will be left slightly behind the curve, as the glitzy upgrades roaring on eighth-gen consoles are not even a blip on this version's radar.

Conclusion

'Just Dance 2016' feels like a welcome addition to the series, though it raises questions about how far the franchise can really stretch itself without becoming a repetitive shuffle. We get that people love to dance, but at what point does it feel like you're simply shelling out annual fees for somewhat polished repeat performances? The integration of mobile tracking and the streaming service, while impressive, reiterates the reliance on trends that may ultimately backfire. It garners a solid 6 out of 10; not bad, but definitely not groundbreaking. So put on your dancing shoes, or at least pretend to as you flail around like a broken marionette, and let yourself have some fun regardless of how many jewels your 'performance' earns you. Just don't forget to place your phone somewhere safe-no one wants to be that friend who lost their phone while proving they still got moves like Jagger.

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