Double Fine Happy Action Theater
SCORE: 93
When we first saw the Kinect in action at
an E3 event a few years back - we correctly labeled it the next big
thing. This was the growth, progression, and direction the industry
needs to go. It leap frogs motion controllers, and provides for all new
experiences. Why am I bringing up the past? Because Double Fine Happy
Action Theater is one of those games that proves Family Friendly Gaming
right.
Families turn their entire living rooms into interactive environments
thanks to Double Fine Happy Action Theater. I found myself popping
balloons to find prizes, and standing in a knee deep lava. Double Fine
Happy Action Theater takes you, your living room, and lets you have all
kinds of fun. I got some exercise while having a good time.
But Double Fine Happy Action Theater is more than just about you. It is
about your entire family. Whether you are posing multiple times, or
chasing away birds - this is a community game. Don't get me wrong,
Double Fine Happy Action Theater can be played by one person. But it is
so much better bringing in family and friends.
The camera does a wonderful job of capturing the living room. Details
down to the draw strings on my sweat pants were captured. The motion
sensors in the Kinect sensor work marvelously. It reacted to my
movements in real time. One of the best examples of this is when it
turned my hands into sparklers. That was really cool.
What was even better were the visual effects. Double Fine Happy Action
Theater does a wonderful job with the visual effects. I squatted down to
play in the lava. The ripples and reactions to my movements were
extremely realistic. Not that I have actually played in lava before. But
it reacted as I would expect a liquid to react.
The price tag of Double Fine Happy Action Theater is 800 Microsoft
points. So we are talking ten dollars. Families receive eighteen
different activities. This is worth the price in my opinion. Trust me in
saying you have not played a video game like this before. In fact Double
Fine Happy Action Theater stretches the limits and boundaries as to the
definition of a video game.
The music in Double Fine Happy Action Theater has a circus feel to it.
Which enhances the entire fun atmosphere. There is a short list of video
games that are as much as Double Fine Happy Action Theater. Especially
when we are talking about playing them in your living room. All ages of
the family can enjoy Double Fine Happy Action Theater, and burn a few
calories.
Double Fine Happy Action Theater is one of those downloadable products
that improves the image of the entire video game industry. When
politicians point to slothful gamers, all we need to do is point them to
Double Fine Happy Action Theater. This game has us moving all around at
our pace while being entertained.
Microsoft continues to publish good games for families for the Kinect. I
am very thankful that I was able to play and review Double Fine Happy
Action Theater on the Xbox 360. Double Fine Happy Action Theater is one
of the better titles we have reviewed this year. I hope to see more
games like Double Fine Happy Action Theater in the future.
- Paul
Graphics: 90%
Sound: 91%
Replay/Extras: 92%
Gameplay: 95%
Family Friendly Factor: 95%
System: Xbox 360 (Kinect)
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Rating: ‘E’ - Everyone
{Comic Mischief Mild Fantasy Violence}
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