In The Groove (video Game) - Gameplay

Gameplay

See also: Dance Dance Revolution#Common Gameplay Elements

In the Groove utilizes similar mechanics to Konami's Dance Dance Revolution series. The core gameplay involves the player moving his or her feet to a set pattern, stepping in time to the general rhythm or beat of a song. Like DDR, there are 4 arrows. During normal gameplay, arrows scroll upwards from the bottom of the screen and pass over flashing stationary arrows (referred to as the "guide arrows" or "receptors"). When the scrolling arrows overlap the stationary ones, the player must step on the corresponding arrows on the dance platform. Longer arrows referred to as "holds" must be held down for their entire length for them to count. Successfully hitting the arrows in time with the music fills the life bar, while failure to do so drains it. If the life bar is fully depleted during gameplay, the player fails the song (unless the fail at end of song setting is on), usually resulting in a game over. Otherwise, the player is taken to the Results Screen, which rates the player's performance with a letter grade and a percentage score, among other statistics. The player may then be given a chance to play again, depending on the settings of the particular machine (the limit is usually 3-5 songs per game).

Stepcharts on In the Groove can sometimes contain 3 or 4 arrow combinations (usually hit with the assistance of hands). Stepcharts can also contain Mines. If a player is on an arrow when a mine passes through the step zone for that arrow, it will explode and health will be lost.