Xbox 360 Kinect

I like to move it, move it.

When the kinect was first released, it seemed, like most console hardware, a bit of gimmick. An attractive, innovative new gadget of course, but an additional expense that may follow the dust-collecting-on-top-of-the-cupboard ways of the DJ Hero decks or Tony Hawk skateboard. For now, there are few games of appeal for the kinect. Publishers rushing games to capture the money from the Microsoft fan boys around the new gadgets release as expected results in poor quality games. However, the kinect has the potential to be a long term success, depending on how future kinect necessary and kinect optional games implement the camera-microphone device into gameplay.

For me and the soon to be missus, the kinect gives us a double workout. Not only do we get a little sweat going playing the motion sensitive games, but we also get a little workout rearranging our furniture to get enough room to play. There are a few nice little touches to the kinect. Auto profile sign in based on facial recognition. Voice activated menus. Movement recognition menu browsing. In general, these all work seamlessly, however, in some games the kinect fails to recognise what you are wanting it to do. Not the kinects fault of course, but frustrating never the less.

So, heres a few quick game reviews for anyone looking at purchasing a kinect and its (currently) small selection of games.

Kinect Sports and Kinect Sports 2

Without a doubt the best games on the device. Both releases are full of fun, entertaining sport games that are extremely addictive – either playing by yourself, or with a friend. The first release contains Football, Athletics, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Bowling. Kinect Sports 2 contains American Football, Tennis, Skiing, Golf and Darts. Of those 10 sports, its hard to single a single one out as weak. All of the games, and mini games are well thought out, making the most of the kinect. All have the same charm – simple to pick up, but a challenge to master. Highlights, for me, are the Football, Athletics, American Football and Darts.

Rating – 9/10
Fair Price - £25 (each)

Dance Central 1&2

Whilst I can’t be too angry at a game that actively gets my other half to play the Xbox, the rumours I’d heard about this game turned out to be true. I myself am an excellent, “Lionel Messi of the dancing world” dancer, alas the game thinks otherwise. I had heard that the game only really works for girls, or overly camp males. And this has proved to be true. To be honest, it really puts me off trying the game again. However, in the interest of fairness, my fiancée loves it, and it probably would be great fun on a girly night in.

Rating – 4/10
Fair Price - £12

Carnival

Rubbish. Very few games, very poor motion recognition. Not even worth a rent.

Rating – 1/10
Fair Price - £1

Jillian Michaels Fitness Adventure

To be honest, this game would get a far higher rating if it didn’t try and be a kinect game. On the off chance you can get past the menus (it completely refuses to recognise your actions and in so declines to let you navigate the menu screens), it then has the additional frustration of turning a blind eye to the exercises you perform in front of the camera. It took about 12 minutes and around 250 sit ups to recognise me doing 10. Had I just bought the game to give me a selection of workout ideas, it probably may have been worthy of a higher score. Which sort of makes the whole “kinect game” redundant.

Rating – 2/10
Fair Price - £4

Kinect Adventures

The base game that comes with the kinect. It’s not without its charm, but there are only 3 different game modes, and all get old very quickly. Addictive and compelling to play for the first hour. Hasn’t been played again since. A bit like Walcott should have been and would have been in almost any other team.

Rating – 6/10
Fair Price - £5


So there we go. A brief look at the Kinect and the main games. Regardless, I am looking forward to seeing how its used and integrated in Mass Effect 3.

A thank you to Christie Duke for helping me review the games! :)

Madden 11

Good game for American Football rookies, or just for seasoned vets?



As with most sports games, there is a point where you wonder... where else can this game go? FIFA, PES, NBA, NHL etc, have all managed to keep there appeal and freshness, despite obvious limitations. It's often a hard choice whether a years improvement is worth upgrading and parting with your hard earned money.. So how does this years Madden fare?

The main feature that is new to this years game is the inclusion of "Gameflow", a smart play calling feature, that acts like your co-ordinators during the game. Depending on how you play, and what works against your opponents in games, so your given play will adjust. In the most, it has to be said that I love this feature. True, sometimes it makes an error and gives you an odd play, but it really makes the game quicker and easier for anyone who isn't a tactical master at American Football. I am a Wide Receiver for an American Football team in the UK, but I have as much clue about the defensive side of the game as Katie Price has a clue about how to be a mother.

For some reason however, there seems to be a different movement mechanic for offence and defence. Running backs and receivers seem to be able to make turns tighter than the New York Jets salary room when the cap comes back in. But the covering corners, linebackers (think Waterboy) and other defensive players seem to be as agile as a Robin Reliant without wheels. Or without wheels. I don't think there's a great deal of difference. The movement just seems sluggish for the defence, which can be frustrating.


The 2 main offline modes are Franchise and Superstar modes, each offering different challenges. I have mentioned before how I really approve of customisable difficulty settings, and with a individually tailored Madden difficulty to set yourself, the game really fits around you. I am brilliant at my running game, as well as air game - but struggle to defend against air targets. Therefore I am a significantly higher difficulty setting for Offence, than I am for my poor Defensive skills. Working your way through seasons of franchise can be a long challenge, but extremely rewarding too.
Superstar mode allows you to create, or take control of a Rookie in the NFL. Similar to Be A Pro in FIFA, you can improve skills based on your effectiveness in matches. The game engine is faultless in this mode, you really feel part of the action, but it's nard not to feel a little left out by the lack of off the field interaction. After being able to talk to the press, train on certain areas, negotiate contracts etc, slipping back to the only options of "Complain about Coaches", "Ask for a trade" just seems extremely basic.

Some may disagree, but I feel this game lacks a little personality. Sure it's not what it's job is, but you still feel a little let down. However, the gameplay is addictive as per usual, the difficulty settings are brilliant, and the inclusion of the Gameflow play selection system is quality. It lets you play the game, even if you are not entirely sure what is going on. Just like Nigel De Jong.

Rating - 7/10
Fair Price - £27.99