Game review: Just Dance 2025 Edition (PS5)

It's interesting to me that the Just Dance franchise has survived as long as it has since the first game came out on the Wii back in 2009. It's the only major music game genre left since the likes of SingStar, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band franchises died a long time ago. 

A lot has changed since 2009 as technology has become more accessible thanks to the ability of smartphones. Back in the old days of Just Dance, players needed an extra peripheral to play the game, such as a Wii remote or even a PlayStation Move controller. 

Nowadays, Just Dance games are more affordable because everyone can now just use a smartphone device to play. All you need to do is download the Just Dance controller app, which should be both available on Android and iOS devices.

Just Dance 2025 Edition is the newest version of the franchise, but nothing much has really changed when it comes to the visuals and gameplay. Players just have to follow the onscreen 2D avatar (or Coach) and copy their movements. The more accurate you are, the higher your score will be at the end. 

The only major problem with Just Dance video games, in general, is that it only tracks the movements from one hand. Your head, body, and feet could be as inaccurate as possible, but you can still get a good score as long as your hand movements are accurate to the song that you are playing.

I remember some old Xbox Kinect dancing games scoring your dances more accurately because the camera would track the movements of your entire body. Sadly, Kinect doesn't exist anymore because it is an unpopular add-on that nobody uses. 

To try and rectify this inaccuracy, Ubisoft is trying something different this year with Just Dance 2025. It's still in beta, but this year, you can use your own smartphone camera as a device to track your dance movements. Only some songs have this feature turned on, but Ubisoft hopes to make the full 2025 library compatible in the near future. 

The only problem with using your smartphone camera is that you need a lot more room, and your house's lighting has to be bright. My house is kind of small and dark, so my movements weren't captured properly. If I played the Switch version, I might have been able to play outside for better room and lighting. 

I was also surprised (and relieved) that the playlist for Just Dance 2025 featured several songs that I recognised the like. I haven't listened to mainstream radio in over 10 years, but there is a healthy mix of new and old songs to cater to different family members. 

Some of the songs I liked in this year's game include Green Day's "Basket Case," Shakira's "Whenever, Wherever," Dua Lipa's "Training Season," and even Lady Gaga's "Pokerface." Ariana Grande fans have it good this year because she has five songs in the game! 

When you purchase the full version of Just Dance 2025 Edition, you also get three month's worth of the Just Dance+ subscription. This includes songs outside of the 40 tunes that are included in the base game. For example, I can play more songs from the likes of Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and more. 

The only major problem with playing Just Dance+ songs is their reliance on Ubisoft's inconsistent internet servers. I played several other Lady Gaga songs, and sometimes the songs would lag like I was playing a multiplayer match. I have high-speed internet now, so it shouldn't be a problem with my connection or PS5. 

Another problem with the game is innovation because Just Dance 2025 looks and plays almost identically to Just Dance 2024 from last year. Only the added use of the smartphone camera is new this year, as everything else is the same.

There's not much I can say about Just Dance 2025 because it's the same as every year. This year's playlist is good, and the smartphone camera to track your dance movements is a welcome addition. Other than that, Just Dance still feels like an annual sports franchise where there is a lack of new features.

Verdict: 7.0/10