Kinectimals
SCORE: 100
Family Friendly Gaming is one of the most stingy magazine and video game review sites when it comes to giving out a perfect 100 score. With over 2300 reviews written(October 2011), only two games have gotten a perfect one hundred. Well those two games have a new sibling. Kinectimals has earned its way to the top. This Xbox 360 video game that requires the Kinect allows us to play with various feline cubs. I personal enjoyed the tiger cub which is the main known character. I got to play with the cub, take care of him/her, do tricks, run through obstacle courses, throw balls, drive RC cars, and more. I purchased Kinectimals myself since Family Friendly Gaming was forgotten at launch. Which some would say makes the perfect score even more impressive. Kids are the target audience of Kinectimals, but I found intelligent adults can have a lot of fun with this game as well. Many of the activities in Kinectimals require physical movement, which equates to one thing - exercise. That is one of the real selling points to families in my opinion. The Wii showed the way, but Kinect is taking it further.
The storyline in Kinectimals is exceptionally better than I was expecting. You arrive at an island (Lemuria) to find a flying whatever he is (Bumble). He looks feline, and is essentially your guide in the game. Bumble gives a wealth of knowledge related to the island, the first people, and how to play with your cub. He is also a lot of help in learning how to do the tricks. He told us all about Captain Able Blackwood, and the cubs. An interesting note is the cubs do not age, and did not since the Captain left - long ago. Which is not an issue for me, just an interesting side note.
The graphics in Kinectimals astound me. They are crisp, clear, and beautiful. Yes I am a man, and I can use the word beautiful. Don’t faint. The cubs animate amazingly well. I found myself taking in the breath taking backgrounds in each of the areas. The cubs are playful, happy, and a real joy to be around. I found no offensive graphics in Kinectimals at all. In fact this is what a video game should look like. I will not spoil the ending of this game, but I will say it makes it worth the effort. Once you get there you can let me know if you agree or disagree. My own kids (who are both boys by the way) kept commenting on how cute my cub Stripe is. He is the tiger in case you are wondering.
The sounds in Kinectimals are awesome. Getting to use my own voice to command the kitty is really cool. Bumble is voiced masterfully well, and he is a great help in Kinectimals. The different areas have different feels, but all of them brought a smile to my face. Speaking of bringing a smile to my face, the playful sounds the cubs make did that as well. Bumble has some interesting lines that I noted. He has some humorous things to say, as well as some very thoughtful things to say. An example would be when he asked why they had to be the first ones. Why not the second or third ones. It is always nice to play a video game that does not take itself completely serious. Children love to talk to the cubs, and give them commands in the tricks area.
There are enough different cubs to play with in Kinectimals, and the storyline kept me engaged. Each of the six areas has five mini games to play. Unlocking them means playing with your cub in that area. There are a lot of different things to do. Playing these mini games unlocks medals, and if you do good enough, then an item. Items can also be found in areas, and purchased in the shop. Lemur run the shop, but I ran into no issues with them. These items can be used to play with your cub, or decorate your house. I found that I could spend hours with the shop alone.
The game play in Kinectimals is fantastic. I love getting some exercise. I did notice some interesting nuances though. I had trouble throwing the cowboy hat, and the boot. Everything else I could throw with accuracy and ease. My own kids were also able to target, throw a frisbee, and hit with accuracy. Kinectimals has different things to do, but it is a little heavy on hitting targets, or knocking things over. I hope a sequel adds some variety there.
Kinectimals is
the perfect game for families. It is safe for all ages. It is fun. It is
the kind of a video game that spreads happiness and cheer. Yes I hope
there are sequels to Kinectimals in the near future. This Xbox 360 game
earns our seal of approval, and is only the third game to receive a
perfect 100 score. I hope and pray that Microsoft continues to publish
wonderful games like Kinectimals in the near future.
-
Paul
Graphics: 100%
Sound: 100%
Replay/Extras: 100%
Gameplay: 98%
Family Friendly Factor: 100%
System: Xbox 360(Kinect)
Publisher: Microsoft
ESRB Rating: 'E' - Everyone
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