Platform: Nintendo Switch (version reviewed), Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest Pro, Apple Arcade
Genre: An inspired world of dance performances with beat-shaking maracas

For more than a decade, rhythm games have been a fan-favourite genre among gaming enthusiasts. The early 2000s saw the introduction of two such games – Ubisoft’s Just Dance and Harmonix’s Dance Central, then came along Guitar Hero, Rock Band, and the hit title Taiko no Tatsujin, which uses instrument-shaped controllers to mimic the playing of actual instruments.

All and all, the essence of the gameplay remains the same; players have to press, hit (or in this case, shake) the controllers in a sequence dictated on the screen. However, the repetitive nature of this action may become tedious and diminish the fun factor after multiple rounds of play.

This leads to the question: Can Samba De Amigo Party Central keep players entertained over the long term? Is it the ultimate party rhythm game of 2023? Continue reading to discover the answers.

Let’s Get The Party Started

The gameplay is straightforward, and it necessitates a significant amount of movement. Although you have the option of using a controller and button inputs, this detracts from the entertainment of shaking the Joy-Cons like a fancy pair of maracas.

The game consists of six rings arranged in a circle, with balls coming out from the centre. Players must shake their controller in the direction of the ring where the ball has landed. Sometimes, an arrow will appear, connecting one ring to another, and players must move their controller along the arrow. Occasionally, a stick figure will appear and players must imitate its movements to gain extra points.

Developer SEGA has added some unexpected features to Party Central that will keep you on your toes while you use your Joy-Cons. Among them is a randomized challenge that offers a variety of entertaining tasks. One of them transforms your Joy-Cons into a virtual baseball bat and requires you to hit beats that come at you like fastballs. The “workout” challenge may not be as enjoyable, as it involves jumping along with the avatar on screen, with the jumps gradually getting faster over time. I found it challenging and had to catch my breath between each jump to complete it. If you’re not a fan of the randomized feature, you can disable it on the game’s settings.

Two Is Better Than One

The story-based StreamiGo! gameplay mode further allows Amigo and his friends through an influencer-inspired world of musical performances, where every successful performance provides thousands of new followers. Additionally, the game’s competitive online World Party mode lets up to eight players compete in rhythm battles.

You can enjoy two-player modes in this game. Local co-op mode allows a maximum of two players to play together. Additionally, some mini-games test your compatibility with a virtual ‘love checker’ and challenge your quick thinking and rhythm skills with logic puzzles.

One of the best challenges would be the romantic twist on songs that requires you and a partner to play together while keeping your reaction times in sync. As you succeed, a broken heart at the centre of the screen will gradually come together, earning you extra points. If you start to lose the rhythm, you and your partner would like fools shaking the controllers trying your best not to fail (or laugh) getting through in finishing the song. The co-op feature is a must-play in a party setting or just to spend good times with your loved ones.

Catchy Playlist

Party Central boasts an impressive collection of approximately 40 tracks, rendering it a great source of entertainment, including bangers like Kesha’s Tik Tok, Ariana Grande’s Break Free, Macarena and La Bamba by Covers, and more. Nevertheless, there might be a time when players feel like they have fully explored their preferred tracks and yearn for some fresh additions. The extent of this desire will differ according to the individual’s preferences and the nature of the tracks present in the game’s forthcoming post-launch DLC.

For every beat you hit and every track you complete, you will earn points bit by bit. These points can be used to unlock new outfits and other in-game items that allow you to customize your Amigo avatar. Be it unlocking wacky outfits to customize your preferred maracas sound, it makes the dance performance better to your liking. While these cosmetics are not essential to gameplay, they add a stylish touch as you dance through the game’s different tracks.

What makes the game interesting is when you start hitting the combos consecutively, causing the in-game crowd to cheer uncontrollably and Amigo to show his best moves. However, if you miss a few beats, the crowd falls silent and Amigo gets emotional and ultimately starts to cry like a baby holding maracas when you fail to complete the track. Rather than getting frustrated, it made me chuckle at how funny the mascot reacts to losing.

To answer the two questions – Samba De Amigo: Party Central is best enjoyed in a group setting, rather than playing it alone. It is perfect to play at parties or gatherings where the atmosphere is lively and fun. The game features fantastic music and is highly engaging, which makes it addictive and enjoyable at first. However, despite offering a variety of challenges, it fails to leave a lasting impression and is far from being considered one of the standout rhythm games of 2023.

PROS

• Vivid visuals.
• Awesome playlist of old and new hits.
• Variety of in-game customization.
• A great option to play at parties.

CONS

• Randomized challenge feature can be tedious.
• May become bored over a period of time.

FINAL SCORE: 70/100

Review copy provided by SEGA.