Dance Central 3 Review for Xbox 360

System: Xbox 360
Dev: Harmonix Music Systems, Backbone Entertainment
Pub: Harmonix Music Systems, MTV Games
Release: October 16, 2012
Players: 1-2, Up to 8 players alternating
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Lyrics, Mild Suggestive Themes

Dance Central 3 certainly has more replay value than Dance Central 1 or 2. Players can still play together and battle against each other, but the game introduces a variety of new modes as well. There is a H.O.R.S.E.-like mode that guides you through creating a move and then asks your friends to mimic it, a freestyle "Keep the Beat" mode that tasks you with outperforming your opponent in your own way, and a mode that focuses entirely on posing. They are all fun little diversions, but by far the "Make Your Move" mode is the most fun. In a way it becomes "Embarrassment Chicken," tasking your opponent with doing only the most difficult, crazy, and wacky things that you yourself are willing to do.

Dance Central 3 Screenshot

Still, even though these modes are fun, the basic mode is where the party's at. The Kinect sensor works better than ever before, capturing your moves perfectly. If you screw up, you can be sure that it's your fault and not the sensor's. Even with multiple people playing at once, the Kinect rarely glitches out, making Dance Central 3 one of the best designed games in the Kinect library.

As I said before, Dance Central is one of the few games that's worth going out and buying Kinect for, and Dance Central 3 makes that purchase all the more worthwhile. It's filled with innovation, a huge track list, working motion capture controls, and The Electric Slide! How can you hate on a game that features The Electric Slide? Dance Central 3 is one of the best, if not the best, game the Kinect has to offer, and yet there is still room to grow in Dance Central 4. Here's hoping the next game will have a more refined feedback system and "Thriller" by Michael Jackson.

By
Angelo M. D’Argenio
Contributing Writer
Date: October 16, 2012

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.1

Graphics
The stages and characters fit the tone of the game perfectly, and the animations run smoothly.

5.0

Control
One of the best examples of Kinect motion control on the market.

4.8

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
Love "Around the World" by Daft Punk, groan when you randomly select the Macarena.

4.8

Play Value
Still one of the best gaming experiences for the Kinect, party game or otherwise.

4.7

Overall Rating - Must Buy
Not an average. See Rating legend below for a final score breakdown.

Review Rating Legend
0.1 - 1.9 = Avoid	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	3.5 - 3.9 = Good	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair	4.0 - 4.4 = Great	5.0 = The Best

Game Features:

The #1-selling dance franchise for Kinect is back this fall with new features, including a multiplayer party mode for up to 8 players.

With a soundtrack featuring 40+ new tracks, from the disco grooves of the 70's to current chart-topping dance hits, "Dance Central 3" delivers the most electrifying soundtrack yet.

The library from the original Dance Central and Dance Central 2 will be importable into Dance Central 3.

The fully integrated in-game Music Store will allow players to continue to expand their libraries, for a total of more than 140 songs and routines available at launch!