Family Game Night 4–The Game Show

Family Game Night 4 – The Game Show
From EA Games

About the game

Your living room becomes the board and you are the controller in this larger than life experience.

Now you’re part of the action! In FAMILY GAME NIGHT 4: The Game Show, you can experience the fun and excitement of the popular TV show right in your own living room!

This time you’re playing with larger-than-life pieces in re-imagined versions of your favorite Hasbro games. CONNECT 4 Basketball is more fun than ever as you shoot hoops to get 4 balls in a row and YAHTZEE! Bowling puts a whole new spin on the popular dice game. You’ll also find fun new versions of SCRABBLE Flash, SORRY! Sliders, and BOP-IT Boptagon, and win MONOPOLY Crazy Cash, just like the game show! Play with friends and family and compete to prove your family is the best!

Our Thoughts

I had the chance to review the Family Game Night 3 in the past and we thought it was very creative.   We knew that there are also the Family Game Night as well as Family Game Night 2 available on the market.     When I saw that a fourth one has come out on the market, I was curious.   I requested it and EA agreed to let me review it.  

So on my husband birthday, we decided to try out the Family Game Night 4 – The Game Show and discover what was in store for players on this Wii game.  As the title suggest it, the game is based on a family game show.   Only two controls can be used but that doesn’t stop you to create teams to play.   

Five games are included in this one;  Connect 4 Basketball, Yahtzee! Bowling, Scrabble Flash, Bop It Boptagon, and Sorry! Sliders.   Though one might wonder why putting a bowling game with Yahtzee, a basketball with Connect 4 as well as a curling game with Sorry! Sliders, you can’t stop and wonder at the creativity of the programmers behind the game.    The winning team for each games gets a Monopoly Crazy Cash card that you will use at the end to discover how much money you won.

The host of the game show is Mr. Potato himself and his costumes for each game are very creative…

Apart from the creativity behind this game, we found that the game was somewhat slow to load and that the controls were difficult to manipulate.    My husband was less than impressed with it.    To make sure that the controls were working properly, he went to get another game to play with.  Everything was working fine with the other game.  So we have to assume that the response time of the game with the controls is not as great as other games we have.

This game is original but it was disappointing to have to wait numerous time for the game to change from one game to the other as though you were in a family game show.    When Mr. Potato Head removes the bowling ball in the Yahtzee! bowling it was slow and repetitive.   I think it would have been more fun and entertaining if he would do something different each time you remove the bowling ball.   My husband had much troubles with the Connect 4 basketball because of the slow response of the controls…   Seeing that this is the fourth installment of the Family Game Night games, I am partly wondering if they released this one a little bit too fast…

Thought I must admit that this game is family friendly.  You won’t have to worry much when your kids play with it…    It is clean and very colorful.  And to top it off, it brings to life popular games from Hasbro.   I personally love the Connect 4 Basketball and the Sorry! Sliders with the curling theme.    

The Family Night 4 – The Game Show is available for purchase at your favorite store, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: I received the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It Wii

Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It (Wii)
From EA Games

About the Game

Experience the ultimate TRIVIAL PURSUIT experience with both BET YOU KNOW IT and Original on one disc!

In TRIVIAL PURSUIT BET YOU KNOW IT you and your family can play both classic TRIVIAL PURSUIT and BET YOU KNOW IT, all on one disc. The new BET YOU KNOW IT mode includes thousands of new trivia questions and a fun betting component that will keep everyone on their toes. Team up with or play head- to-head against up to three friends.

• All-new questions - Thousands of new questions for hours of fun
• Categories for Everyone - Fun, new categories like Jingles, 80’s Music & Movies, Videogames, Slang, and more so everyone can play along!
• Single or Multiplayer - Play to clear the board, or play with up to four friends
• With BET YOU KNOW IT, everyone plays on every turn! - Challenge friends and family and steal wedges to win the game.
• Classic and BET YOU KNOW IT gameplay - Enjoy your favorite trivia game, in an all new way.
• Compete with friends and family members for bragging rights.

Our Thoughts

Last Wednesday, we had friends who came over for supper.   After the kids were in bed, we decided to play on the Wii with try the new Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It game that I had received to review.  It was perfect to have another couple to play with us.   We made the teams – men against women – and started to play.  You will get explanations as you start the game and you will also be able to decide how the game will be played.

The new Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It is challenging to say the least.   The new version of Trivial Pursuit allows you to buy spaces and wedges if you have the money.  What is interesting is that this version of the game also allows the opponents to bet if the person will be able to win the game or not.   Once the bet are placed,  you receive your question.  Each question has a multiple choice and you are a time limit to answer.  We all found that the time allowed to answer the questions was quite fast.  To be honest it almost felt that you need to be a speed reader to be able to see all the question and answers.      If you win the bet you have place against the person, you earn double the amount you place.  If  you loose, you loose the amount you have bet.  If you answered the question, you win the chips that the players have lost.

Here’s some example of questions asked during the Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It game.

I am pleased to say that the women won the game.   Afterwards, while looking at the options more, we discovered that you can also play the Classic Trivial Pursuit with this Wii game.   Two game for the price of one!   Fabulous! We decided to try it right away to compare the two and personally I must say that I prefer the Classic version.  One the questions are easier and Two my husband enjoyed it better.    My husband is not too fond of trivia type games but with the Classic version, he was able to get into it more.    With the Classic version, you can decide how many wedges are needed to win the game as well as when do you get the wedges.

In the end, we had fun playing with our friends even if the first game was a little bit harder than the Classic version.    This Wii game could be a great game to take out when you have people over one evening and you want to create teams together.   You can play with up to four controls as well – so four teams in a way.

Now my questions to EA Game would be – Will  you make a Trivial Pursuit Disney For All Wii Game?  Because if you do, we will definitively jump on it.   You could also incorporate the Trivial Pursuit for Kids on the same CD….

Trivial Pursuit Bet You Know It Wii game is available at your favorite store, even amazon.ca.

Disclaimer: I received the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

EA Sports Active 2 UPDATE

EA Sports Active 2
Created by EA Games

This morning I started the second phase of the nine week training on EA Sports Active 2.  

I didn’t have the motivation as we got up early yesterday morning for some time on the lake fishing and such.   I was overtired yesterday evening and when I woke up this morning I felt as though I needed more sleep…

But duty calls as I have to homeschool the kids and we have a visit at a fire station at 1pm.

So when my husband left for his contract downtown, I went in the basement and started my training session.

The first thing I have realized is that the number of reps were higher.   Before I was doing jump for 65 times now it is 80….  Should I mentioned I had to stop a couple of times?   I think my whole body was still sleeping.    This morning my training was mostly based on basketball which I enjoyed but there was also running as well as muscle toning.    The reps for muscle toning also went up a inch from 10 to 12.    The only bug I have found so far is that when doing some of the muscle toning exercises, my training mentions the bands when I have selected the weight.   Personally I prefer the weight that’s why I chose those instead of the elastic bands.   But the programming doesn’t seem to register this and the talking still mentions the elastic bands…   No big deal I guess.

The only exercise I had trouble doing was the bend arm side plank holding for 20 seconds.   Somehow it is always put before the cool down and by then my energy level is majorly depleted.   So every once in a while I can do it but today I just couldn’t perform what was asked.   

So far I have not registered weight loss but I know that my muscles are tone, that pants are slightly bigger at the waist and that I can run to catch up on my kids.     I only started tracking the food last week so I am not expecting to see results right away.  

I will continue to update on my journey with EA Sports Active in the next couple of weeks.     Phase two has started and it will take about three weeks to complete it.

EA Sports Active 2 is available at your favourite store, even amazon.ca. It is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii.

Disclaimer: I received the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

EA Sports Active 2

EA Sports Active 2
Created by EA Games

About the product

EA SPORTS Active 2 with Total Body Tracking features an innovative wireless control system powered by motion sensors in leg and arm straps that provide complete freedom of motion.

It also feature a heart rate monitor that provides constant on-screen monitoring, allowing users to capture intensity and optimize performance over time.

Users are able to track and share their workout data online through automatic uploading from their online connected console to their personalized EA SPORTS Active profile.

EA SPORTS Active 2 with Total Body Tracking makes working out simple, fun and effective wherever you are.

More details at http://www.easportsactiveonline.com .

My Thoughts

This little jewel will bring you more than seventy exercises and activities to help you get in better shape and develop more endurance in the long run.   It includes foundational exercises like squats, lunges, and bicep curls as well as cardio exercises like mountain boarding, basketball and boxing.    You can also add challenges in your routine by incorporating the Wii Balance Board.  

The built-in heart rate monitor is fabulous!   It will capture the intensity and optimize your performance over time.   Simply strap it on your left forearm and voilà! 

The first time I use the EA Sports Active 2, I was pathetic…   I was able to complete only 56% of my routine.   I was discourage but not to the point to drop it.   The second time, I did a bit better – still I realized that I was out of shape.    Only 70% of my routine was completed.   That was also the time where I enrolled in the 9-week program which is providing a total body conditioning using progressive challenges everyday.   But I think I had set one of my options too high.   So the next day I decided to lower one of them and proceed to attack my routine half expecting that I won’t finish it.

Well guess what…. After three days of working out with the EA Sports Active 2, I was able to finish my routine this time.    It was challenging but I did complete it.   I was so proud.  Since then, it has been two weeks I am using the EA Sports Active 2 four times a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) and I am not planning to stop it.    I have seen the progress I am doing and I am encourage to pursue my journey toward being more fit.   I do it for me but also for my kids.    I know that I am overweight and I need to loose some of the extra pounds.    A couple of years ago I was able to loose about 39 pounds.   Since then I took a few pounds but this week I have seen that my efforts on the EA Sports Active is getting there.   I am shedding some pounds.  Yeah for me!

I have done the mountain bike, soccer training, basketball (first time this week), and even mountain boarding which is a challenge in itself when you do it on the Wii Balance Board.

When you start your training, you will know exactly what you will go through during your routine.   Every new exercises presented to you are done with a little video explaining how to do it.    Once you have mastered the exercises the videos won’t show up automatically but you have the possibility to return to them anytime you want.    You can also use the elastic band or some weight if you want to.    Personally I prefer having the weight than using the elastic band included in the package.  So far, I have having a blast doing my exercises.   I will admit that there are days that I wake up and don’t feel like doing it but I quick my covers, get up, dress up and go in our basement to do it.    After my routine, I feel energize and hit the shower…  I also find that I am more at peace during the day with the kids when I exercise on a regular basis. 

I love the encouragements as well as the tips that my trainer keeps giving me.  Part of me almost wishes that my Phys Ed teachers would have given the kind of tips that she tells me during my routine.   It would have been nice to know more about how to breath and such when I was in primary and high schools.   Oh well….  

I am on a journey and I know it won’t happen in a day.   Consequently I am planning to continue my training on the EA Sports Active and give you an update in a few months.    Oh and if you decide to embark on a similar journey with the EA Sports Active 2, I strongly suggest that you bring some water with you.  You will need it believe me!

EA Sports Active 2 is available at your favourite store, even amazon.ca.  It is available for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and the Wii.  

Disclaimer: I received the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

MONOPOLY Streets

MONOPOLY Streets
From EA Games and Hasbro

About the game

To celebrate its 75th anniversary, the world of Monopoly comes to life through a living, breathing city that you can build, own, and monopolize. MONOPOLY STREETS has everything you love about the board game, presented as a street level tour of Mr. Monopoly’s fully animated world.

Engage in a head-to-head race to evolve the surrounding city, accumulate the most wealth, and own it all! Play against your friends live and online on Xbox 360 and PS3! Fresh takes on classic features such as property auctions, add new excitement to the classic play.

From the cheap motels on Baltic Avenue to the luxurious Boardwalk suites, there is excitement around every corner in this remade classic.

The game also includes multiple boards to play on. Along with the MONOPOLY city, there is also Landmark city which features famous landmarks from around the world. Here you can buy swanky properties from Europe to Asia and everywhere in between! It also features a variety of "classic" boards for you to enjoy. These allow you to play on traditional boards with edgy new twists.

You also have extensive options to create special House Rules in MONOPOLY Streets. Change the tax rates on special spaces, edit the rules for buying and mortgaging properties, make Free Parking a cash holder and more! Customize it to be as close to the special rules you and your family have stuck to for years.

MONOPOLY Streets is created at EA Salt Lake (EASL) and published by Electronic Arts. It is a digital translation of the popular board game by Hasbro.

Our Thoughts

One September evening, while newlywed friends were visiting us, we decided to take the MONOPOLY Streets and play against each other.   We quickly discovered that we had to team up has we don’t have four controls for the game.   After teaming up and including two computerized characters, we went to explore the streets of MONOPOLY!

Right away we found that the game was really in 3D.   Throughout the game you can interact with Mr MONOPOLY and also see the rise or fall of your  tower at the center of the game.   

We opted for a quick game and already had some property in our hands.   Once you have all the property on the same color, you can start building the houses.  Once all your houses are build, you can start building your hotels.   The game is following the REAL rule of MONOPOLY which most people tend to be flexible with while playing with family and/or friends.    Different games are available to choose from as well as other boards if you want too.

We all found that the racecar character is a little bit annoying.    But even if he was a show off, we had fun during our game.   And yes the racecar has won the game while my husband and I had to go bankrupt…  

You can even have the opportunity to include your own Mii in the game if you purchase this functionality from the MONOPOLY Store.   More boards and landmarks are also available for purchase at the store.     I find it sad that you have to pay extra for more flexibility in the game.  At the price that these games are sold, why not put them all available for the user?   I wonder…

One of our disappointment was the fact that we were not able to pass one control between the players.  The game has to have four players but if you are human (because you can take some computerized characters) you have to have a control per person.    For each games, you have to have four players – not less and not more either!  

Still even though we found that some things were bothering us, this game is quite clean and enjoyable for the whole family.   I would not hesitate a minute to let my kids plays with it.    It is also a great game to learn to make decisions and manage your properties.   And you can develop skills in negotiations as well.

Monopoly Streets is available for the PlayStation 3, the Wii and the Xbox 360.

Disclaimer: I received the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

Hasbro Family Game Night 3 Wii

Hasbro Family Game Night 3 for the Wii
Created by EA Games

About the game

In Family Game Night 3, discover endless family fun at the Family Game Night Theme Park!

Spin the wheel of fate in the GAME OF LIFE, find out “whodunit” in CLUE, get your groove on with TWISTER, trigger crazy chain reactions in MOUSE TRAP, or try your hand at YAHTZEE HANDS DOWN.

Enjoy classic and remixed versions of your favorite games, play with your own customized avatar, and challenge family and friends in online multiplayer

Our Thoughts

One evening, my husband and I settled to play a little bit on the Wii.  Having received the Family Game Night 3, we decided we would try out this one for a change.   Inside this Wii game you will find popular Hasbro games that don’t need any presentation anymore: Clue, Game of Life, Yahtzee, Mouse Trap and Twister.

We didn’t know what to expect as this was our first Wii game from Hasbro and EA that we were reviewing.   We were pleasantly surprised to be brought to an island of fun where you can choose the various games you want to play.  The graphics are fabulous for each and every single one of them.    In Mouse Trap, you are the mouse and you try to build the trap as fast as you can.   In the Game of Life you go through life and try to make as much money as you can before your retirement.   In Clue you have to solve the mystery. Yahtzee has been transformed as a card game with multiple players and finally Twister has also been transformed as a follow the rhythm kind of game.  We were wondering how the Twister game would be presented on a Wii game and we were very happy to discover the originality of the creators.    It was very out-of-the-ordinary and very creative.    The trick is to have coordination while playing and a good memory obviously!

We had fun discover the games on the island of fun (that’s what I call it…).    The animation and graphics are very family friendly – even though the spouses in the Game of Life were a bit cranky…   This is definitively a clean game to purchase for your Wii and to play as a family.    I would not hesitate to let my own kids play by themselves on this Wii game.   It is fun, spunky and will bring laughter.   

The game is available on different platforms; Wii, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3.

Hasbro Family Game Night 3 for the Wii is available at your favourite store, even amazon.ca

Disclaimer: I received the product for review purposes. I was not monetarily compensated for this review. Please note that the review was not influenced by the Sponsor in any way. All opinions expressed here are only my own.

MySims Agents

MySims Agents
EA Games

About the game

In MySims Agents players take on the role of a special agent on a mission to uncover and foil the sinister plans of Morcubus, the corrupt CEO of MorcuCorp. Players will search for clues and solve cases across the city and far beyond as they piece together his nefarious plans.
Armed with a set of increasingly sophisticated gadgets, players will track footprints, pick locks, hack into computers and do molecular forensics.

They will jump, climb, balance and build their way to follow cases no matter where they lead, even taking a private jet to reach an ancient temple, a spooky mansion and an icy mountaintop chalet. Along the way they meet MySims they can recruit to build up their own team of agents, and unlock rare items they can use to deck out their headquarters.

My Thoughts

From the games I received to review, MySims Agents is definitively my favourite one.  I really didn’t know what to expect from this game.    I am not too fond of The Sims regular games as there are  based mostly on fulfilling dreams and such.    But this game seemed different.  More geared toward kids and mystery surrounding the story.

Imagine my surprise and joy to realize that it had the flair of the old quest games I used to play when I was a teenager….  KingQuest, PoliceQuest and SpaceQuest.    I was please.   No not please.   Very excited actually.    I love this kind of challenge and searching for clues to advance in the game.   My husband couldn’t care less about it.   It is not his kind of thing.    I was in cloud nine and played for a long time with it.  

 You will explore the world starting with the city where your character lives and then go beyond it as you advance.    You will have to solve mysteries to discover various clues along the way.    I found that it requires patience and ability to make the character jump, climb, balance, and so on.    As I write this review, I know where I need to bring my character and how to climb there but somehow my agent keep falling and I need to restart the climb.    Controlling the agent with the Wii remote is quite different than the old quest games where you used the keyboard.  LOL!   I just need practice that’s all.   I’m sure I will be able to go spy on the other character real soon...   *grin* You can also build your own team of agents as you go through the game.    As any situation, sometimes it is better to be a group of people working together to solve a mystery than being a loner.  

I am quite enthusiast about this game.    It brought back memories of the previous games I played on the computer.    And I can see that my kids will love the story as well.    The only part that bugs me is hearing the characters mumbling as they talk.   It drives me nuts – literally.   But it is part of the game and I am learning to tune it out.   

Would I recommend this game?  Yes.   It is fun, mysterious and challenging.      The graphics are very colorful and the various scenes are fun to discover.    This is perfect for everyone in your family.    I wouldn’t have any problem letting my 6 and 9 year olds playing with it.  

Visit the official MySims Agents website at http://mysimsagents.ea.com/index.html.

MySims Agents is available on the Wii or Nintendo DS.

MySims Agents is rated Everyone for comic mischief.

This review was possible because I received a copy of MySims Agents from EA Games.

MySims Agents is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

SPORE Hero

Spore Hero (Wii)
EA Games

About the game

Spore finally comes to the Wii in this all-new adventure. Create your own creature hero and fight to save your planet. This all-new story begins as you crash land on a strange alien world. But something evil has followed you and is threatening to destroy the creatures of the planet. Only a true hero can save the world from this new threat! Earn unique new parts to adapt your hero for courageous battles and amazing adventures.

  My Thoughts

This is an interesting game that will bring you on a quest to become an hero for the inhabitants of the planet where you crashed.    Along with you, evil has also came and your objective is to save this beautiful world from them.  It is a quest kind of game where you have to perform tasks to advance in it.   

I used to play the KingQuest, PoliceQuest and SpaceQuest games when I was a much younger person.   This game reminded me of them a little bit but at the same time it is quite different.   Along the way, you discover new parts and you can transform you creature and make it bigger as well.   Various opportunities come to you along the way to help, get trained and more.   You will be able to create and evolve your character with over 250 collectable parts and special abilities.    A map is also available so you can see which other sections needs to be unlocked on the way.    The graphics are stunning and the color very bring.    The characters/creatures can interact together and they will help you to get better at fighting.

Yes there is fighting in this game but no blood and such appears on the screen.   It is defence fighting and combat training at times. Obviously to become an hero, you need to know how to defend yourself and how to fight.  

 

Personally I find the creatures a little bit weird but the imagination of the creators is truly fantastic.   There was a lot of creative juice poured on this programming.    I’m a quite certain that the younger generation loves this kind of quest.    I can see my boys playing with this Wii game and have quite some laugh with it.  

SPORE Hero is available on the Wii only.

You can visit the SPORE Hero official site at http://www.sporehero.com/.

SPORE Hero is rated Everyone 10+ for crude humor and mild cartoon violence.

This review was possible because I received a copy of SPORE Hero (Wii) from EA Games.

SPORE Hero (Wii) is available everywhere even at amazon.ca.

 

SimAnimals Africa

SimAnimals Africa
From EA Games

Game Info

Journey to the heart of Africa where you control the wild kingdom! Interact with exotic animals in the wild including lions, elephants, gorillas and more as you explore the jungles and savannas of Africa. Discover the animals’ secret abilities. Solve challenges to earn new items, animals, and levels. Collect unique items to receive badges. Get in touch with your wild side and discover the ultimate secret of the kingdom with SimAnimals Africa!

My Thoughts

If your kids like the games that involve simulation, you are in for a treat with SimAnimals Africa.   This game is perfect for kids as they learn how to manage a savanna with animals.   

It reminded me of the old simulation games like SimSafari or Zoo Tycoon.    My oldest son is enjoying these games and I am certain that my 6 year old will love to discover the animals living in Africa with this wonderful simulation of a savanna.

What I also like about this particular game is that I can easily incorporate it in our homeschool.   While studying the country of Africa, I can take this game out and let the kids go ballistic trying to get their savanna to grow in size and in animals.    Perfect!   And it will introduce them to the food chain existing in Africa.

You will start with a specific section and one type of animal and as you manage this section another one will open eventually with more animals.    The kids will deal with elephants, lions, meerkats, zebras and much more.

What I like the most about this particular game is that any of my kids could play it when they know how to manage the animals…   It is rated E for everyone!  The game is available for the Nintendo DS and the Wii.

This review was possible because I received a copy of SimAnimals Africa for the NintendoDS from EA Games.

SimAnimals Africa is available everywhere even on amazon.ca.