It seems as though every time you get online, there is a new trailer released for Michael Jackson: The Experience. Enough already! Haven’t fans been tortured enough? This has been going on for months and the game’s not due to be released until April 12th. Is Ubisoft International having fun teasing people or are they just trying to sell like a gazillion more pre-orders at the expense of everyone’s patience?
Storyline
Storyline? Hopefully you’re not looking for one or you will certainly be disappointed. Most gamers should be familiar with the concept of these dance games. The story is simple, dance and get the moves right. Michael Jackson: The Experience just happens to be adding in some truly iconic moves inspired by the King of Pop himself.
Gameplay
Whether you play in single-player or multiplayer mode makes no difference, dance by yourself or dance with friends and family, just dance! After all, that is what this singing and dancing legend was all about.
There are three modes in Michael Jackson: The Experience being classic, duo and crew. In classic mode, everyone who is playing follows the Michael Jackson avatar. While playing in duo which is only available in certain songs like The Way You Make Me Feel and The Girl is Mine, you have the option to dance as one of the alternative characters or you can choose to still stick with Jackson. In crew mode, Michael Jackson has backup dancers allowing you and your friends to mimic the entire crew.
Michael Jackson: The Experience will also feature a Dance School so you can learn how to properly complete some of the more difficult moves. This of course will enhance gameplay. The Xbox 360 version is also going to feature singing while PS3 will provide optional onscreen lyrics as well.
The list of songs for both PS3 and XBOX 360 is tentative but as of now, it includes Another Part of Me, Beat It, Black or White, Will You be There, Dirty Diana, Speed Demon, Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, The Girl is Mine, Ghosts, Wanna be Startin’ Somethin’, Heal the World, They Don’t Care About Us, I Just Can’t Stop Loving You, Leave me Alone, Money, Earth Song, Remember the Time, Rock with You, Smooth Criminal, Streetwalker, Sunset Driver, Billie Jean, Thriller, In the Closet, Bad, Who Is It, Blood on the Dance Floor and Workin’ Day and Night.
Graphics
Are you really expecting great graphics from a dance game? Probably not but that’s alright, Ubisoft delivered them anyway. While the detail may not be too rich, it’s thoughtful and you’ll appreciate that the faces of the backup dancers are washed out a bit. This helps you vision yourself there dancing a little easier.
The costumes in Michael Jackson: The Experience are exceptional. Whoever was in charge did a phenomenal job of exactly replicating outfits that he actually wore in his videos.
Conclusion
There is no other artist in history that could come close to pulling off a game like this one. Michael Jackson’s moves are unmistakable and his music has substance and when you put the two together, you have the platform for a great game. Michael Jackson: The Experience is a game that you will likely never get tired of. It’s fun, easy enough to catch on but challenging enough to work toward improvement and it pays tribute to a musical genius.