Family Games
SCORE: 88
Icon Games Entertainment had a nice Christmas present for Family
Friendly Gaming - Family Games on WiiWare. This interesting little game
includes Squares (Dots), Nine Men’s Morris (Mill), Safe Cracker,
Matchsticks, Noughts & Crosses (Tic-Tac-Toe), 4 In-A-Row, BattleFleet,
and Hangman.The three difficulty settings will definitely challenge you.
Easy is generally easy, medium starts to challenge you, and if you ever
defeat hard let me know. I am serious the best I could do against hard
was to draw.
I remember many of these games from when I was in school. Squares (Dots)
was one of my favorites. Draw lines until you fill in a square. I do not
know if this game has ever made it into the video game forum before or
not, but it is great to see in Family Games. Some of these games you
will know by different names. For example BattleFleet is a Battleship
like game, and 4 In-A-Row is similar to Connect 4. Any of these games
would not be worth the 500 Points, but eight together is a lot more
enticing.
The artwork work, and style of Family Games is unique. I am laughing as
I rattled around in my brain trying to find the best word. The paper
theme goes on throughout this game. Which gives it a little flavor, and
sets it apart. If you win a game, then your stick man character
celebrates. There are numerous different celebrations I found. If you
lose, then something really bad happens to him. Like he gets eaten by a
shark, or the sun disintegrates him.
The music in Family Games is good, and enhances this game in quite a few
ways. Before any game is played it has to be decided who gets to go
first. This is done with rock paper scissors. The first time I did this
I picked rock, and the computer picked scissors. The scissors being
crushed sound woke me up. I did get used to that sound later, and wound
up laughing about it later.
The amazing thing about Family Games is the replay value. There are
numerous modes, and options for every single game. Oh and did I mention
there are eight games? Oh yeah, I did. Well I felt like emphasizing it.
Two family members can enjoy Family Games at the same time. Which is
always more fun than playing the computer. Although I have to admit the
computer taught me a few things in 4 In-A-Row on the hardest difficulty
setting. I had never planned strategies before with that game. I just
won them. The price point is perfect, and I expect Family Games to do
extremely well in terms of sales.
The Wii Remote controls in Family Games are very easy to use. I enjoyed
playing Family Games, as did others who played it with me. I appreciate
the idea behind this game, and the eight games that have been brought
together. I do have two minor quibbles with Family Games on the Wii.
First the difficulty settings. I was dismayed at how I blew through
easy, and medium. It seemed with medium if I could beat it quickly it
was not much different from easy. If the game stretched on, then it got
better. When it comes to the hard mode, it was nearly impossible to
beat. The second issue I have is draws. Maybe I missed a setting, but it
is easy to draw in tic-tac-toe. I would have liked an option asking me
to play another immediate game. I understand after a win or a loss, but
a draw should give the option to play again. Without going through the
menu screens to start over.
There is a lot of educational value to Family Games. Matchsticks will
have you racking your brain. Finding what is hidden is another lesson,
as well as out think your opponent. Strategies form in a way that is
safe for the entire family. I hope to see sequels to this kind of a
video game in the future. I will be recommending Family Games to family
and friends I know. It was a real pleasure for me to play and review
this Wii game.
- Paul
Graphics: 76%
Sound: 85%
Replay/Extras: 98%
Gameplay: 85%
Family Friendly Factor: 94%
System: Wii
Publisher: Icon Games Entertainment
Rating: 'E' for Everyone
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