Dance Central 2
Dance Central 2 is a music rhythm game for the Xbox 360 and is the sequel of Dance Central. It was released in October 2011.
Plot
Dr. Tan is monitoring the status of the area in The Airship, laughing while doing so.The player first meets up with Riptide Crew at the High Tide, and when they arrive, Emilia rejects and discloses to them that auditions to be in their crew were last week. Bodie however gives them an opportunity after hearing about the player's potential, and Emilia soon follows forth. Once they are impressed, the player receives their crew card, but not without a warning from Bodie stating other crews existing nearby, with some of them being unfriendly.
Flash4wrd is the next crew they meet, and they appear at the Tee Off. Taye recognizes the player being the one Bodie mentioned to them earlier while Li'l T compliments their style. They both then give the player the chance, and once the player completes their set of challenges, Li'l T saws how hot their dancing was, but Taye on the other hand questions if their dancing will be hot enough to take on The Glitterati. Li'l T immediately responds fearlessly and describes them as "two pale primadonnas living in a skyscraper" but Taye dismisses her that statement by challenging her to say it again at night without a nightlight. After, Taye gives the player their crew card and reminds them to stay focus while staying true to themselves.
Lu$h Crew is next on deck, appearing on Set Adrift. Angel mistakes the player for wanting to party, while Miss Aubrey corrects him as someone everyone is gushing over. When the player completes their tasks, Miss Aubrey formally welcomes them into their crew. Angel uses this as an opportunity to flirt with Miss Aubrey, only for her to quickly shut it down. He then gives the player their crew card.
Hi-Def becomes the next crew the player interacts with. Appearing on Lowdown, Mo and Glitch are talking to each other when Glitch notices the player from behind and mistakes them from being a spy for The Glitterati. Mo does not think that to be the case and simply sees the player as someone who would like to dance with them. When Hi-Def's challenges are completed, Glitch is stunned and compares their dancing to Mo's, but quickly retracts it to Mo when he is not trying. Mo then allows them to rep for their crew as a way to deny The Glitterati from stealing their style, and gives the player their crew card.
After those four crews are met, The Glitterati becomes the fifth crew the player encounters. Up at Penthaüs, Jaryn gives a short introduction before quickly doubting the player's talent. Kerith however overrules that statement and gives the player a chance to dance with them. When The Glitterati's goals are met, they comment on how underestimated they thought their talent was and allow them to rep for their crew, with Jaryn throwing their crew card once they do.
Once those five crews are met, the player is taken to Dr. Tan in The Airship. He notes all what the player has done, and explains his knowledge of the player by displaying them on the screens, exposing that he was monitoring their every move. He then introduces the player to D-Cypher, a crew he ensures will not be defeated, to battle the player with the goal in conquering them so that he could take over the dancing world.
When the player beats D-Cypher, The Airship turns into chaos, with D-Cypher shutting off, and the screens behind starting to fall off. Enraged, Dr. Tan gives a lengthy statement on how he will not give up, pushes a button on his control pad, and escapes the room, giving a hysterical laugh once doing so.
Gameplay
The core gameplay in Dance Central 2 is similar to the first one where players mimic characters along on-screen with flashcards there for guidance. The game has been largely revamped compared to its precessdors, including the ability to allow two players to dance side by side, 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 uninteruppted routine depending on the mode used. Crew Challenge is the story mode implemented in the game. It involves the player earning the ability to rep crews throughout the area while underlyingly trying to defeat Dr. Tan from taking over the dancing population.There are five modes available in Dance Central 2:
Perform It: Gives the player a chance to show of his moves and skill while performing a dance routine. This mode can be played with one or two players and allows a person to swap in and out while the other is playing if desired. Both players do not have to play the same difficulty, but this can only happen 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 to do 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. Likewise 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 how well they are at aceing them.
Crew Challenge: A campaign mode that gives a player a chance to reach for the top by impressing the game's in dance-crews. Succesffully 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 notibility 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.
Most characters feature alternate outfits separate from the main outfits to wear during gameplay. These alternate outfits are labeled as "Street Style", and are unlocked by earning 36 stars within the character's selection of songs from the crew they are a part of within Crew Challenge mode on any difficulty. Additionally, some characters have a third outfit labeled "DC Classic". These outfits are ones they wore in the previous game, and they are unlocked by putting in cheat codes for the game at the "Redeem Code" section.
The game features six venues for the player to dance in. All except one are available from the start. Venues can be changed before the player starts a routine.
Characters
Dance Central 2 features eighteen characters, each divided up in pairs as a crew. Twelve characters are available from the start, while the other six are locked.Riptide Crew - Bodie and Emilia
Flash4wrd - Taye and Li'l T
Lu$h Crew - Angel and Miss Aubrey
Hi-Def - Mo and Glitch
The Glitterati - Kerith and Jaryn
D-Cypher - CYPH-78 and CYPH-56
D-Cypher Elite - Dr. Tan and CYPH-ELITE
Ninja Crew - Shinju and Kichi
Icon Crew - Marcos and Frenchy
Soundtrack
Songs
Dance Central 2 comes with an all new list of song from different artists from both old and new. The songs are color-coded based on what crew you have to dance off against on that song in the Crew Challenges mode. However, the songs in light blue are songs you have to pass with 4 stars or higher in order to proceed to the next crew, and are used in D-Cypher's crew challenge at the end. There are 44 songs in-game.| Song | Artist | Year | Choreographer | Difficulty | Crew | Character | DC3 venue |
| "Baby Got Back " | Sir Mix-a-Lot | 1992 | Chanel Thompson | 6 | Riptide | Emilia | Invite Only |
| "Bad Romance" | Lady Gaga | 2009 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | The Glitterati | Kerith | DCI HQ |
| "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$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | Studio 675 |
| "Club Can't Handle Me" | Flo Rida ft. David Guetta | 2010 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Riptide | Emilia | DCI HQ |
| "Conceited " | Remy Ma | 2005 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Flash4wrd | Taye | Studio 675 |
| "DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love" | Usher ft. Pitbull | 2010 | Chanel Thompson | 5 | Riptide | Emilia | DCI HQ |
| "Fire Burning" | Sean Kingston | 2009 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | Lu$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$h Crew | Angel | DCI HQ |
| "Hot Stuff" | Donna Summer | 1979 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Flash4wrd | Li'l T | Free Skate |
| "I Like It" | Enrique Iglesias ft. Pitbull | 2010 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Riptide | Emilia | DCI HQ |
| "I Wish for You" | EXILE | 2011 | Kunle Oladehin | 4 | Hi-Def | Mo | DCI HQ |
| "Impacto " | Daddy Yankee ft. Fergie | 2007 | Frenchy Hernandez | 2 | Flash4wrd | Taye | Studio 675 |
| "Last Night" | Diddy ft. Keyshia Cole | 2006 | Frenchy Hernandez | 2 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | Studio 675 |
| "Like a G6" | Far East Movement | 2010 | Spikey Soria | 5 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | DCI HQ |
| "Mai Ai Hee " | 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$h Crew | Angel | DCI HQ |
| "Oops " | Tweet ft. Missy Elliott | 2002 | Frenchy Hernandez | 3 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | DCI HQ |
| "Reach" | Atlantic Connection and Armanni Reign | 2011 | Ricardo Foster | 1 | Riptide | Bodie | DCI HQ |
| "Real Love" | Mary J. Blige | 1992 | Marcos Aguirre | 1 | Lu$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 " | 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, can be played on this game using an importing technique. Downloable content 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 the code from the first game's 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 $5,00 and requires an Xbox Live gamertag. Once downloaded, they are available to play within Dance Central 2, and they also receive Mo's "DC Classic" outfit as a bonus. Only the actual songs get transferred, associated scores do not. Additionally, the freestyle section is still embedded; disabling the feature will not disable the section within those songs. The list of songs, and its downloadable content, can be seen here.Importing the original Dance Central songs has since been disabled. Players who have not imported them do not have the option to anymore, but if the players have, they can still access them in the game.
Downloadable content
Dance Central 2 features more downloadable content on the Xbox Live Market for 240 microsoft points. All downloadable and in-game from the original Dance Central are forward compatible with Dance Central 2. Any new DLC after Dance Central 2's release are only compatible with Dance Central 2 and 3. Songs are available for 240 MSP.| Song Title | Artist | Year | Choreographer | Difficulty | Crew | Character | Release Date | Dance Pack | DC3 Venue |
| "Marry the Night" | Lady Gaga | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 3 | The Glitterati | Jaryn | November 22, 2011 | DCI HQ | |
| "The Edge of Glory" | Lady Gaga | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 2 | Lu$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 " | 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 " | Busta Rhymes | 2008 | Devin Woolridge | 4 | Riptide | Bodie | January 17, 2012 | 11 | Studio 675 |
| "Gonna Make You Sweat " | 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 " | Michael Franti & Spearhead | 2008 | Ricardo Foster Jr. | 2 | Riptide | Bodie | February 14, 2012 | 11 | Toprock Avenue |
| "Milkshake" | Kelis | 2003 | Marcos Aguirre | 4 | Lu$h Crew | Miss Aubrey | February 21, 2012 | 8 | Studio 675 |
| "Party Rock Anthem" | LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock | 2011 | Torey Nelson | 6 | Riptide | Bodie | February 28, 2012 | Invite Only | |
| "Yeah 3x" | Chris Brown | 2010 | Torey Nelson | 5 | Riptide | Bodie | March 13, 2012 | DCI HQ | |
| "Escapade" | Janet Jackson | 1989 | Chanel Thompson | 2 | Riptide | Emilia | March 27, 2012 | Toprock Avenue | |
| "Nasty" | Janet Jackson | 1986 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Lu$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 ft. David Guetta | 2011 | Marcos Aguirre | 6 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | April 17, 2012 | 11 | DCI HQ |
| "Give Me Everything" | Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer | 2011 | Frenchy Hernandez | 4 | Lu$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 | 2007 | Chanel Thompson | 3 | Flash4wrd | Taye | May 29, 2012 | 9 | Studio 675 |
| "Replay" | Iyaz | 2009 | Nick DeMoura | 5 | Lu$h Crew | Angel | June 12, 2012 | 9 | DCI HQ |
| "Hot In Herre" | Nelly | 2002 | Kunle Oladehin | 5 | Hi-Def | Glitch | June 19, 2012 | 11 | Studio 675 |
| "Whine Up" | Kat DeLuna ft. Elephant Man | 2007 | Marcos Aguirre | 5 | Flash4wrd | Taye | June 26, 2012 | 8 | Studio 675 |
| "Round & Round" | Selena Gomez & the Scene | 2010 | Nick DeMoura | 5 | Lu$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 |
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.Dance Central 2 was officially announced at E3 2011 during Microsoft's press conference. It was announced on February 2, 2012 that if the community reaches certain milestones, like star count or calories burned, three new crews and two new outfits will be unlocked. As of April 30, 2012, all the crews and outfits have been unlocked.