Introduction

If you ever thought to yourself, 'How can I embarrass myself and make a complete fool of my friends in the comfort of my own living room?', then look no further, because Just Dance 4 has some moves that will either have you dancing like Beyoncé or regretting your life choices. This game is basically a cardio workout integrated with karaoke, all while your mom is peeking in, wondering what on earth you are doing with your life.

Gameplay

In Just Dance 4, the gameplay remains as dance-centric as ever. Now, you might be thinking, 'Isn't that just like the previous iterations?' Yes, it is, but let's be real; if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Players are judged on their ability to mimic on-screen dancers performing rigorously choreographed routines to a variety of songs, which range from timeless classics to what's hot in the charts (for non-retro fans). The game includes a new 'Dance Battle' mode that allows you to essentially throw down against your friends. Think of it as a dance-off, but with more sweat and less grace. You can even earn 'mojo points,' because apparently, dancing isn't enough of a competition without tracking your virtual pulse. The game now includes 'Puppet Master' mode (which, regrettably for the rest of us, is only available on the Wii U version) where one player uses the GamePad to control the game. I can only imagine the hilarity that ensues when one friend turns into a puppet master getting their mates to dance like marionettes, but hey, it's might be better than seeing them pour chips all over the floor after breaking a sweat. Additionally, players can complete 'Dance Quests' that offer six different missions per song to keep things fresh. And for the dedicated dancers (or the ones who think they're married to the game), the new unlockable routines provide added incentive to keep jiving. Hey, those gold medals are worth it, right?

Graphics

The graphics in Just Dance 4 aren't exactly vintage art, but they have a unique charm that a certain type of person appreciates - the type that eats a lot of Pop Tarts, really. The bright, colorful outfits of the dancers pop against vibrant backgrounds, which are as dynamic as the predominant theme in the game: fun dancing. Dancers now boast more realistic hair and costumes, which are all valuable upgrades from the time when they looked like cut-outs from a drug store. The new graphics make it less likely that you confuse the idle figures on your screen with your aunt from Ohio.

Conclusion

Just Dance 4 is like the perfect addition to a drunken night of fun; while you might not be able to remember all the dance moves in the morning, the memories of flailing around with friends will come rushing back with a smile (and possibly a cringe, depending on how many drinks were involved). With a score hovering around 7.5, it proves that while it doesn't reinvent the wheel, it does make you work up a sweat while you're learning how to face-palm yourself with a smile. If you're looking to embarrass yourself in front of friends without a significant risk of permanent injury (or social ostracization), Just Dance 4 is the way to go. Your mom will still wonder about your life choices, but at least this time you'll be having fun.

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