Dance Factory

 PlayStation 2
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 22
  3. Negative: 8 out of 22
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  1. Gaming Horizon
    46
    Despite the fact that Konami’s series has a static playlist, you’re better off buying another version of DDR than dealing with this piece of crap called Dance Factory. Or better yet, just pop in a CD and groove your own way.
  2. GameSpot
    43
    Dance Factory's main feature is the ability to generate dance steps to your own music CDs. There's just one problem: It doesn't really work.
  3. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    40
    Fun dance patterns, not great music, make dance games worth playing. It's an interesting idea that doesn't quite work. [Sept. 2006, p.106]
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  5. G4 TV
    40
    The ability to make your own dance patterns is not a dumb idea per se. Dance Factory would be an interesting gimmick if it was attached to an otherwise good DDR clone.
  6. IGN
    35
    The songs are theoretically unlimited here in Dance Factory, but you'll quickly find yourself getting bored with the random feeling in the gameplay.
  7. Official U.S. Playstation Magazine
    30
    I still think a music-customizable rhythm game could be amazing, but Dance Factory falls short of the ideal. [Jun 2006, p.94]
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  8. GamesRadar+
    30
    The sum of these flaws is a total disconnect between what's occurring on the TV screen and what's occurring on your dance pad.
  9. 1UP
    20
    There is no joy to be found within the data contained on this disc. Only crushing disappointment, suffering, and weak shin muscles.

User Reviews

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User Score
6.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 8 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 8
  3. Negative: 2 out of 8
  1. wily_codger
    Aug 22, 2012
    6
    Have you played Audiosurf? This game was the Audiosurf of dancing games, years before Audiosurf. Same strength -- you could dance to any songHave you played Audiosurf? This game was the Audiosurf of dancing games, years before Audiosurf. Same strength -- you could dance to any song you had! But I remember it having the same weaknesses too -- the step sequences felt generic and often didn't sync up viscerally with the music. Plus, in the PS2 days, uploading your music and waiting for the game to generate levels was a slow and clunky process. Seems like a good example of a game that was a bit ahead of its technological time -- it'd be great to see someone have another go at the concept. But, in the age of DLC, it's probably too much to hope for, right?

    3 points for the gameplay experience and 3 for the ambitious and - at the time - new concept.    … Full Review »
  2. Metacriti
    Mar 8, 2014
    9
    If you like rhythm action games but get bored of their limited and cliched choice of.licensed music, this game is made for you. It works wellIf you like rhythm action games but get bored of their limited and cliched choice of.licensed music, this game is made for you. It works well with most CDs but stumbles on a few, and its a shame there's no online aspect, but you can put in your own dances and swap them with friends who own the same disc, or CDR, so it has great replayability. Every CD you own or get later is effectively an expansion pack for Dance Factory.… Full Review »
  3. ReflectingVoid
    Aug 6, 2017
    8
    Still one of the best Dance Dance like games in existence. Great fun with a stack of CDs and a metal dance pad. Really deserving of aStill one of the best Dance Dance like games in existence. Great fun with a stack of CDs and a metal dance pad. Really deserving of a sequel. Few seemed to appreciate the fact that you can create your own step patterns to your favorite songs with minimal hassle. Sure it isnt a glamorous game and it doesn't have a strong license behind it like DDR but it does something that, while simple, is still rare if not entirely lacking in the Dance mat genre.

    None of the reviews highlight the power of free. Had it come out a few years ago every song would be a 99 cent purchase and you wouldn't get the opportunity to dance to eclectic genres like Industrial or black metal, rhythmic noise or Electronic Body Music. It might not be great on its own and it seems like a budget title, the experiences I have had dancing to some of my favorite tracks is simply impossible to replicate with any other software, at least with the level of ease that this presents.

    Do I wish it had more features? Yes. Are the controls wonky with dance pads because you only have two controller ports and several buttons to work with? Yes. Is the presentation plain and somewhat ugly? Yes. Does it feature the ability to do things that haven't been replicated by any other piece of software in over 10 years? Yes.

    It simply is a godsend for the dead genre of Dance Dance Revolution-inspired games. Few seem to see it that way, especially in older reviews. But whenever a newer game comes out toting dance pad gameplay, people are quick to ask, does it let you use your own music and does it let you make your own step patterns automatically? This does and its ancient and forgotten.

    The game is old and you can get it for a few bucks. Buy it if you have a PS2 metal dance pad lying around and good taste in music. You can always have a nice stack of real DDR games to play, but this game fulfills the dream of a customized DDR experience that many longed for and didn't even know.    … Full Review »
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