Software:Dance Central 2
| Dance Central 2 | |
|---|---|
 European box art | |
| Developer(s) | Harmonix |
| Publisher(s) | Microsoft Studios |
| Series | Dance Central |
| Platform(s) | Xbox 360 |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Music, rhythm |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Dance Central 2 is a music rhythm game for the Xbox 360 Kinect and is the sequel to Dance Central. It is the second installment in the Dance Central series. It was released in October 25, 2011.
A sequel to the game, titled Dance Central 3, was released for the Xbox 360 Kinect in October 2012.
Gameplay
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The core gameplay in Dance Central 2 is similar to its predecessor, where players mimic the characters' dances with on-screen Flashcards for guidance. The game has been largely revamped compared to its predecessors, including adding multiplayer, adding voice commands, and enhancing the Break It Down feature. The Freestyle section, while still available, can also be disabled within the game. If done, additional moves will appear in the game as a replacement, creating one uninterrupted routine depending on the mode used. A story campaign has been added via Crew Challenge, in which players can unlock new content.
There are five modes available in Dance Central 2:
- Perform It: A standard mode where players can dance to routines in the game. This mode can be played with one or two players and allows one person to swap in and out while the other is playing if desired. Both players do not have to play the same difficulty, but the difficulty must be set prior to the routine starting.
- Dance Battle: A head-to-head mode between two players to see who is the best. Players go through a song, with two interloops mixed in. One of them focuses on one player doing the routine as the other player is temporarily disabled, and the other involves the players nailing moves from the routine to earn extra points. In that interloop, up to four moves can pop up at any time, and some are marked in gold, indicating more points. Like in Perform It, the players do not have to play on the same difficulty.
- Break It Down: A training mode that allows the player to learn the routines in the game. The mode has been enhanced from the previous game, allowing the player to pick certain moves to focus on and record themselves dancing to moves to compare themselves to the dancers on-screen.
- Crew Challenge: A campaign mode that gives a player a chance to reach for the top by impressing the game's dance crews. Successfully dancing to each crew's challenge song, once unlocking it, gives the player the opportunity to represent them, and the more reps earned, the higher the notability will be.
- Fitness: A workout mode that tracks calories, with an indicator of how many have been burned along with the amount of time spent in the mode towards the top when enabled. There are also pre-made playlists available, along with customizable ones that can be made outside the mode for use in Fitness.
The game features six venues for the player to dance in: High Tide, Set Adrift, Tee Off, Lowdown, Penthaüs, and The Airship. All of them are available from the start except for Penthaüs, which is unlocked by clearing The Glitterati's campaign in Crew Challenge, and The Airship, which is unlocked by completing Crew Challenge once. Venues can be changed before the player starts a routine.
Plot
The player encounters several different dance crews throughout the game's story campaign, starting with Riptide Crew at High Tide, Flash4wrd at Tee Off, Lu$h Crew at Set Adrift, and Hi-Def at Lowdown. They are given a chance to join the crew after someone in the crew has heard of their potential, with more people talking about them the further along they are in the story. After the player impresses them with their dancing skills, they are welcomed into the crew and given a crew card. As they are collecting crew cards, members of the various crews warn them about The Glitterati, another dance crew that is seen unfavorably by the others. When the player encounters The Glitterati, their talent is doubted at first, but after they impress the crew with their dancing, they are given The Glitterati's crew card as well.
After meeting and joining all five previous crews, the player is taken to The Airship, where they meet Dr. Tan. He reveals that he has been monitoring their every move and introduces them to D-Cypher, a crew of robots he has created himself. The goal of their creation is to battle the player and defeat them so Dr. Tan can conquer the dancing world. Once D-Cypher is defeated, both members of the crew shut off and The Airship begins to fall apart. Enraged, Dr. Tan gives a lengthy monologue about how he will not give up before escaping with a hysterical laugh.
Characters
Dance Central 2 features eighteen playable characters, each divided up into pairs as a crew, with six of them being returning playable characters from Dance Central. Upon release, ten characters were available from the start and six could be unlocked. After release, four more unlockable characters were added following a Facebook campaign.
- Riptide Crew: Includes Emilia from Dance Central and Bodie.
- Flash4wrd: Includes Taye from Dance Central and Li'l T.
- Lu$h Crew: Includes Miss Aubrey and Angel, both from Dance Central.
- Hi-Def: Includes Mo from Dance Central and Glitch.
- Icon Crew: Includes Marcos and Frenchy. Added on March 2, 2012.[5] Unlockable by logging into Xbox Live before starting the game.
- Ninja Crew: Includes Shinju from Dance Central and Kichi. Added on May 1, 2012.[6] Unlockable by logging into Xbox Live before starting the game.
- The Glitterati: Includes Kerith and Jaryn. Unlockable by completing The Glitterati's campaign in Crew Challenge.
- D-Cypher: Includes CYPH-78 and CYPH-56. Unlockable by completing the Crew Challenge once.
- D-Cypher Elite: Includes Dr. Tan and CYPH-ELITE. Unlockable by completing the Crew Challenge on every difficulty.
Most characters feature alternative outfits separate from their main outfits (known as their "Crew Look") to wear during gameplay. These alternative outfits are labeled as "Street Style", and are unlocked by earning 36 Stars collectively on songs associated with the character's crew. Additionally, all returning player characters from Dance Central have a third outfit labeled "DC Classic". These outfits are ones they wore in the previous game, and they are unlocked by entering cheat codes in the "Redeem Code" section (excluding Mo, whose DC Classic outfit is unlocked by importing songs from Dance Central).
Soundtrack
Songs
Dance Central 2 comes with a new list of songs. There are 44 songs in the game. A light blue background indicates that the song must be unlocked by completing the final challenge song of the associated crew in Crew Challenge.
Songs from Dance Central 2 can be imported into Dance Central 3, where a default venue will be assigned to each song.
| Song | Artist | Year | Choreographer | Difficulty (Out of 7) | Crew | Character | DC3 Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Baby Got Back (Mix Mix)" | Sir Mix-a-Lot | 1992 | Chanel Thompson | 6 | Riptide | Emilia | Invite Only |
| "Bad Romance" | Lady Gaga | 2009 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | The Glitterati | Kerith | Studio 675 |
| "Body to Body" | Electric Valentine | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | DCI HQ |
| "Born This Way" | Lady Gaga | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | The Glitterati | Kerith | DCI HQ |
| "Bulletproof" | La Roux | 2009 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | Studio 675 |
| "Club Can't Handle Me" | Flo Rida ft. David Guetta | 2010 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Riptide | Emilia | DCI HQ |
| "Conceited (There's Something About Remy)" | Remy Ma | 2005 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Flash4wrd | Taye | Studio 675 |
| "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" | Usher ft. Pitbull | 2010 | Chanel Thompson | 5 | Riptide | Emilia | DCI HQ |
| "Fire Burning" | Sean Kingston | 2009 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | Studio 675 |
| "Get Ur Freak On" | Missy Elliott | 2001 | Marcos Aguirre | 7 | Flash4wrd | Taye | Crow's Nest |
| "Goodies" | Ciara ft. Petey Pablo | 2004 | Frenchy Hernandez | 4 | Flash4wrd | Taye | Studio 675 |
| "Grenade" | Bruno Mars | 2010 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | DCI HQ |
| "Hot Stuff" | Donna Summer | 1979 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. | Free Skate |
| "I Like It" | Enrique Iglesias ft. Pitbull | 2010 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Riptide | Emilia | DCI HQ |
| "I Wish for You" | EXILE | 2011 | Kunle Oladehin | 4 | Hi-Def | Mo | DCI HQ |
| "Impacto (Remix)" | Daddy Yankee ft. Fergie | 2007 | Frenchy Hernandez | 2 | Flash4wrd | Taye | Studio 675 |
| "Last Night" | Diddy ft. Keyshia Cole | 2006 | Frenchy Hernandez | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | Studio 675 |
| "Like a G6" | Far East Movement | 2010 | Spikey Soria | 5 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | DCI HQ |
| "Mai Ai Hee (Dragostea Din Tei)" | O-Zone | 2003 | Ricardo Foster | 1 | Hi-Def | Glitch | Studio 675 |
| "Massive Attack" | Nicki Minaj ft. Sean Garrett | 2010 | Devin Woolridge | 4 | Riptide | Bodie | DCI HQ |
| "Meddle" | Little Boots | 2008 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | The Glitterati | Kerith | Studio 675 |
| "My Prerogative" | Bobby Brown | 1988 | Devin Woolridge | 4 | Riptide | Bodie | Toprock Avenue |
| "Nothin' on You" | B.o.B ft. Bruno Mars | 2009 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | DCI HQ |
| "Oops (Oh My)" | Tweet ft. Missy Elliott | 2002 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | Studio 675 |
| "Reach" | Atlantic Connection and Armanni Reign | 2011 | Ricardo Foster | 1 | Riptide | Bodie | DCI HQ |
| "Real Love" | Mary J. Blige | 1992 | Marcos Aguirre | 1 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | Invite Only |
| "Right Thurr" | Chingy | 2003 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. | Studio 675 |
| "Rude Boy" | Rihanna | 2010 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | Flash4wrd | Taye | Studio 675 |
| "Run (I'm a Natural Disaster)" | Gnarls Barkley | 2008 | Kunle Oladehin | 6 | Hi-Def | Mo | Studio 675 |
| "Sandstorm" | Darude | 1999 | Marcos Aguirre | 1 | The Glitterati | Kerith | Invite Only |
| "Satellite" | Lena | 2010 | Spikey Soria | 7 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | DCI HQ |
| "Sexy Chick" | David Guetta ft. Akon | 2009 | Torey Nelson | 7 | Hi-Def | Mo | Studio 675 |
| "Somebody to Love" | Justin Bieber | 2010 | Torey Nelson | 6 | Hi-Def | Mo | DCI HQ |
| "Technologic" | Daft Punk | 2005 | Kunle Oladehin | 6 | Hi-Def | Mo | Studio 675 |
| "The Breaks" | Kurtis Blow | 1980 | Devin Woolridge | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | Toprock Avenue |
| "The Humpty Dance" | Digital Underground | 1990 | Ricardo Foster | 2 | Riptide | Bodie | Invite Only |
| "This Is How We Do It" | Montell Jordan | 1995 | Ricardo Foster | 2 | Hi-Def | Glitch | Invite Only |
| "Toxic" | As Made Famous By Britney Spears | 2004 | Marcos Aguirre | 7 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | Studio 675 |
| "Turn Me On" | Kevin Lyttle | 2003 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | Studio 675 |
| "Venus" | Bananarama | 1986 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | Toprock Avenue |
| "What Is Love" | Haddaway | 1993 | Chanel Thompson | 5 | Riptide | Emilia | Invite Only |
| "Whip My Hair" | Willow | 2010 | Spikey Soria | 5 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. | DCI HQ |
| "Yeah!" | Usher ft. Lil' Jon & Ludacris | 2004 | Ricardo Foster | 5 | Hi-Def | Glitch | Studio 675 |
| "You're a Jerk" | New Boyz | 2009 | Devin Woolridge | 3 | Hi-Def | Glitch | Studio 675 |
Importing
Songs from the first Dance Central, including its downloadable content (DLC), can be played on this game using an importing technique. DLC will automatically appear in the game if it has been purchased already, but the on-disc songs can be moved in using an Import Pack. This is done by retrieving a code printed in the Dance Central manual, which is then put in through the "Redeem Code" section of the game that will then prompt the player to download it. In order to download it, it costs US$5.00 and requires an Xbox Live gamertag. Once downloaded, the songs are available to play within Dance Central 2, and the player also receives Mo's "DC Classic" outfit as a bonus. Only the actual songs get transferred; associated scores do not. Additionally, the Freestyle section is still embedded into the routine; disabling the feature will not disable the section within those songs.
Importing the original Dance Central songs has since been disabled. Players who have not imported them do not have the option to anymore, but players who have previously done so can still access them in the game.
Downloadable content
Dance Central 2 features more DLC on the Xbox Live Marketplace. All downloadable and in-game from the original Dance Central are forward compatible with Dance Central 2. Any new DLC after Dance Central 2's release is only compatible with Dance Central 2 and 3. Songs are available for 240 Microsoft points (US$3.00).
| Song Title | Artist | Year | Choreographer | Difficulty (Out of 7) |
Crew | Character | Release Date | Dance Pack | DC3 Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Marry the Night" | Lady Gaga | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | November 22, 2011 | DCI HQ | |
| "The Edge of Glory" | Lady Gaga | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | November 22, 2011 | DCI HQ | |
| "What's My Name" | Rihanna ft. Drake | 2010 | Frenchy Hernandez | 4 | Flash4wrd | Taye | December 20, 2011 | Invite Only | |
| "S&M" | Rihanna | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | December 20, 2011 | Crow's Nest | |
| "Only Girl (In the World)" | Rihanna | 2010 | Spikey Soria | 7 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. | December 20, 2011 | Crow's Nest | |
| "Closer" | Ne-Yo | 2008 | Kunle Oladehin | 3 | Hi-Def | Mo | January 10, 2012 | 11 | Studio 675 |
| "Don't Touch Me (Throw da Water on 'Em)"a | Busta Rhymes | 2008 | Devin Woolridge | 4 | Riptide | Bodie | January 17, 2012 | 11 | Studio 675 |
| "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" | C+C Music Factory | 1990 | Chanel Thompson | 6 | Riptide | Emilia | January 24, 2012 | 8 | Invite Only |
| "Forget You" | Cee Lo Green | 2010 | Devin Woolridge | 2 | Hi-Def | Glitch | January 31, 2012 | 9 | DCI HQ |
| "Say Hey (I Love You)" | Michael Franti & Spearhead | 2008 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 2 | Riptide | Bodie | February 14, 2012 | 11 | Toprock Avenue |
| "Milkshake" | Kelis | 2003 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | February 21, 2012 | 8 | Studio 675 |
| "Party Rock Anthem" | LMFAO | 2011 | Torey Nelson | 6 | Hi-Def | Mo | February 28, 2012 | Invite Only | |
| "Yeah 3x" | Chris Brown | 2010 | Torey Nelson | 5 | Riptide | Bodie | March 13, 2012 | DCI HQ | |
| "Escapade"a | Janet Jackson | 1990 | Chanel Thompson | 2 | Riptide | Emilia | March 27, 2012 | Toprock Avenue | |
| "Nasty" | Janet Jackson | 1986 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | March 27, 2012 | Toprock Avenue | |
| "We No Speak Americano" | Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP | 2010 | Ricardo Foster | 6 | Hi-Def | Glitch | April 10, 2012 | 10 | Crow's Nest |
| "Commander" | Kelly Rowland & David Guetta | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 6 | The Glitterati | Kerith | April 17, 2012 | 11 | DCI HQ |
| "Give Me Everything" | Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo | 2011 | Frenchy Hernandez | 4 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | April 24, 2012 | 8 | DCI HQ |
| "Spice Up Your Life" | Spice Girls | 1997 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. | May 8, 2012 | 10 | Invite Only |
| "Hello Good Morning" | Diddy & Dirty Money ft. T.I. | 2010 | Nick DeMoura | 5 | Riptide | Bodie | May 15, 2012 | 9 | DCI HQ |
| "Scenario" | A Tribe Called Quest | 1992 | Devin Woolridge | 5 | Hi-Def | Glitch | May 22, 2012 | 8 | Crow's Nest |
| "Low" | Flo Rida & T-Pain | 2007 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Flash4wrd | Taye | May 29, 2012 | 9 | Studio 675 |
| "Replay" | Iyaz | 2009 | Nick DeMoura | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | June 12, 2012 | 9 | DCI HQ |
| "Hot In Herre" | Nelly | 2002 | Kunle Oladehin | 5 | Hi-Def | Mo | June 19, 2012 | 11 | Studio 675 |
| "Whine Up" | Kat DeLuna ft. Elephant Man | 2007 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Flash4wrd | Taye | June 26, 2012 | 8 | Studio 675 |
| "Round & Round" | Selena Gomez & the Scene | 2010 | Nick DeMoura | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | July 10, 2012 | 10 | DCI HQ |
| "La La Land" | Demi Lovato | 2008 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T. | July 17, 2012 | 10 | Studio 675 |
| "Never Say Never" | Justin Bieber ft. Jaden Smith | 2010 | Kunie Oladehin | 4 | Hi-Def | Mo | July 24, 2012 | 11 | DCI HQ |
| "Down On Me" | Jeremih ft. 50 Cent | 2010 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | August 7, 2012 | 11 | DCI HQ |
| "O.P.P." | Naughty by Nature | 1991 | Ricardo Foster | 7 | Hi-Def | Glitch | August 14, 2012 | 9 | Invite Only |
| "Let It Rock" | Kevin Rudolf ft. Lil Wayne | 2008 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | Riptide | Bodie | August 21, 2012 | 11 | Studio 675 |
| "Promiscuous" | Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland | 2006 | Devin Woolridge | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | August 28, 2012 | 11 | Studio 675 |
^a No longer available for purchase.
Development
Shortly after the release of Dance Central, the pre-production of the game had been already started. Harmonix planned to observe the sales of Dance Central, which would help determine whether the development on the full version should start.[7]
Dance Central 2 was officially announced at E3 2011 during Microsoft's press conference.[8] It was announced on February 2, 2012 that if the community reached certain milestones, such as Star count or calories burned, three new crews and two new outfits would be released. Two crews were added to the game through this campaign. As of April 30, 2012, all content from this campaign has been released.[9]
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| GR = 86.65%[10]
| MC = 86/100[11]
|1UP = A[12]
|Destruct= 9/10[13]
|Edge= 8/10[14]
|EuroG= 8/10[15]
|GB= 
[16]
|GI = 8.25/10[17]
|GRadar= 
[18]
|GTM= 8/10[19]
|IGN = 9/10[20]
|OXM = 9.5/10[21]
|VG= 8/10[22]
|XPlay = [23]
The game have received generally positive reviews. IGN praised the game's style, added multiplayer, and dances, but mentioned how a lot of the dances feel quite feminine, and how there is no shuffle mode.[20]
During the 15th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Dance Central 2 for "Family Game of the Year".[24]
As of August 2016, the game has sold 2.04 million copies worldwide.
References
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 information". Harmonix. http://www.dancecentral.com/game.
- ↑ Steimer, Kristine (9 June 2011). "Dance Central 2: The Basics". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/117/1173475p1.html.
- ↑ "New Dance Central 2 Songs, Release Date and Features Detailed!". Harmonix Music Systems. http://www.dancecentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1927.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 Cinematic!". Harmonix Music Systems. http://www.dancecentral.com/dance-central-2-cinematic.
- ↑ "Dance Central | Facebook" (in en). 2 March 2012. https://m.facebook.com/dancecentral/posts/201601789947485/.
- ↑ "Dance Central | Facebook". 1 May 2012. https://m.facebook.com/dancecentral/posts/387039218007904/.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2' at the 'Basic Pre-Production' Stage". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/news/2462136/dance-central-2/.
- ↑ Drake, Audrey (6 June 2011). "E3 2011: Dance Central 2 Announced". IGN. http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/117/1172946p1.html.
- ↑ "Unlock New Outfits & Crews for Dance Central 2". Harmonix. http://www.dancecentral.com/dc2-game-unlock.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 for Xbox 360". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/632689-dance-central-2/index.html.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 (Xbox360: 2011): Reviews". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/dance-central-2/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 Review for Xbox 360 from 1UP.com". 1up.com. 2011-10-14. http://www.1up.com/reviews/dance-central-2-xbox360.
- ↑ North, Dale (October 21, 2011). "Review: Dance Central 2". Destructoid. https://www.destructoid.com/review-dance-central-2-214244.phtml.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 review". Edge. October 14, 2011. http://www.next-gen.biz/reviews/dance-central-2-review.
- ↑ Del Rosario, Cheryll (October 24, 2011). "Dance Central 2: Too cool for school?". Eurogamer. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-10-25-dance-central-2-review-review.
- ↑ Davis, Ryan (October 24, 2011). "Dance Central 2 Review". Giant Bomb. https://www.giantbomb.com/reviews/dance-central-2-review/1900-437/.
- ↑ "An Iterative Sequel To An Innovative Dance Experience - Dance Central 2 - Xbox 360 - www.GameInformer.com". Game Informer. http://www.gameinformer.com/games/dance_central_2/b/xbox360/archive/2011/10/14/an-iterative-sequel-to-an-innovative-dance-experience.aspx.
- ↑ Del Rosario, Cheryll (October 14, 2011). "Dance Central 2 review". GamesRadar+. https://www.gamesradar.com/dance-central-2-review/.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 review". GamesTM. October 20, 2011. http://www.gamestm.co.uk/reviews/dance-central-2-review/.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Clements, Ryan (14 October 2011). "Dance Central 2 Review - Xbox 360 Review at IGN". xbox360.ign.com. http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/120/1200114p1.html.
- ↑ "Dance Central 2 review - Dance Central 2 - Xbox 360 - www.oxmonline.com.com". Future Publishing. http://www.oxmonline.com/dance-central-2-review.
- ↑ Smith, Jamin (October 14, 2011). "Dance Central 2 Review". VideoGamer. https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/dance-central-2-review.
- ↑ Vinson, Dana (October 11, 2011). "Dance Central 2 Review". G4tv. http://www.g4tv.com/games/xbox-360/65372/dance-central-2/review/.
- ↑ "2012 Awards Category Details Family Game of the Year". Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2012&idGameAwardType=61.
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