GAME COMPLETED #6: ADRENALINE MISFITS

This is a pretty fun game that is extremely easy to complete. It took about 4 hours or less for me to earn the complete 1000GS in this title. It has its ups and downs, but I would recommend a rental.

GAME: Adrenaline Misfits

REVIEW SCORE: 6/10

First and foremost, the game does a great job incorporating the Kinect sensor, which is always a huge plus. In addition, the game has several different game modes to enhance gameplay and replay value.

Second, the game is easy to learn, easy to play, and pretty fun.

The concept is fairly simple. You control a snowboarder who maneuvers, races, battles, and styles the way to first place. As you beat levels and earn high scores, you unlock new characters and new boards with increased stats.

Unfortunately, the game seems a bit too easy. Even using the most basic characters and boards, the enemy A.I poses little threat as long as you understand the basics of gameplay.

Also, the game seems to try to do a little too much. For instance, it has offensive and defensive weapons that you can pick up (in the spirit of games such as Mario Kart), but they rarely are of any use. In fact, some of the game modes (big air and trick modes) focus on individual actions. The enemies in this case are doing their own thing, and the weapon system becomes obsolete.

Also, many of the game modes (like those listed above) are won by reaching certain criteria (most air time, most balloons collected, most trick points, etc.), which is fine, but the game is still set up a like a race; except, you can cross the finish line 2 minutes after everyone else but still win first place.

I just kind of felt like the game would have been better suited if it concentrated on fewer play variants and just built around them.

But I was still overall impressed with the quality of motion controls and simple fun involved.

FITNESS SCORE: 4/10

The game doesn't involve to much moving around. Mostly standing in place while leaning one way or another.

There is however, some modes that require lots of tricks, which require lots of jumping. And since this is a Kinect title, lots of jumping means lots of jumping.

Even though it only took about 4 hours to finish the game, I had some fairly sore thighs the next day from leaning and jumping.

You will get some leg exercise as well as some ab work in, but nothing for the arms (aside from holding them straight out for some of the tricks, but it doesn't offer much of a workout).

TIPS AND TRICKS:

-When playing the game mode for getting the most air time (as well as getting the big air achievement), it is best to choose a rider who is of 'Jump Type'. In addition, whenever you hit a huge jump, hold your arms straight out to the sides. This will cause your rider to glide. This keeps you in the air longer, and allows you to make more air time.

- When playing the game mode for getting the balloons, you do not need to worry about beating the other racers to the bottom of the hill, just concentrate on hitting the balloons. Further more, you should concentrate on stringing together your balloons so you keep your combo going. This is key to getting an A rank.

-On the game mode for scoring trick points, you can ignore the track completely. Just keep jumping in the air and doing simple twist or flip tricks. By the time you reach the finish line, you should not only have enough points to make 1st place, but you should have enough to get an A ranking (and the achievement that is associated with it.)

PROGRESS UPDATE

The last couple of weeks have been pretty tough. My Kinect progress has pretty much come to a complete halt.

I am in the middle of two fitness games, both of which require loads of dedicated time and little gamerscore to show for it.

I am also having trouble finding time and bodies to help with multiplayer achievements, which is holding up not only my Kinect progress, but my Gamefly queue as well.

I am stuck with 900GS on Deca Sports, only missing the achievement for playing all 10 sports with another player. I was able to talk my wife into standing in. Unfortunately, even after meeting the requirements the achievement did not unlock. I think it has to do with a sensor issue where one of our profiles was registering as a "Guest" and not by our accounts. I would just try it again, but my wife isn't dedicated to the cause enough to go through it again. Luckily, I have been contacted by a gamer who needs the achievement as well. Hopefully by the next update, I will have this game complete.

I am having similar issues with Kinect Adventures, except I have no problem finding people to play with, I just have problems connecting with them over Live. We keep getting messages like "Game Session Has Ended" whenever we send each other invites (followed by an infinite load loop that requires me to restart my game). Hopefully I can get this resolved as well.

On the plus side, I just got Adrenaline Misfits in the mail from GameFly, and after about only 4 hours, I have 910/1000GS. The remaining 90 are local co-op achievements, but the short and easy variety. I should have it back out in the mail within the week.

GAME COMPLETED #5: KINECT SPORTS with DLC

This has been one of, if not the funnest games I have played so far for the Kinect. It also marks the first Kinect game that I have completed that offers downloadable content achievements. It was a great game but left me with two sprained ankles for over a week thanks to Track and Field. Here is the review:

GAME: Kinect Sports (with DLC)

REVIEW SCORE: 9/10

The most impressive aspect of this game was the accuracy in which the Kinect sensor was able to track my movements and motions. I have played other titles where my experience was quickly effected by poor sensor control. This is not to say that I had 0 problems throughout my playing, but it was a very fun and fulfilling ride.

The game has 5 different sports to choose from, as well as several mini-games that add new depth and challenge. The sports included in the title are Bowling, Track and Field, Boxing, Table Tennis, and  Volley Ball. I found that bowling was probably my favorite of the sports.

Aside from the superb play mechanics, I was also wowed by solid graphics and crisp audio. To add a little something special, the game has incorporated clips from famous songs such as "Just Dance", "We are the Champions", and "Hollaback Girl", as well has many others.

The DLC adds several new achievements totaling 250GS. The best part, the DLC is free! It adds new mini-game variants to the existing pool of games.

Personal note: I almost bowled a perfect game! I was only 1 pin short :(

FITNESS SCORE: 7/10

With so many game types, there is no shortage of exercise. Bowling, Table Tennis, and Boxing do a good job keeping your arms moving, while Track and Field will have you running like a maniac. Remember not to overdo it though. As mentioned above, I did sprain my ankles during Track and Field and had ankle pains for over a week. Be sure to stretch before and after strenuous activities, and be sure to stay hydrated and take breaks when needed.

I was sweating buckets while playing this game.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

-Rare did a great job with creating guides and videos to help us gamers earn the achievements. Check out their guides here.

-The DLC for the game is free of charge. You can download it here.

-For the Track and Field events that require running on the track (Sprint and Hurdles), you can increase your performance by achieving a boost start and boost finish. To get the boost start, get into a crouching position with one leg back (like a real runner). At the third heartbeat, stand up and start running. If you are a little early, you will be penalized with a false start, but you will get a do-over. For the boost finish, put your arms straight out behind you as you near the finish line. This will speed you up and the very end.

PROGRESS UPDATE

Well, things have slowed down a bit as I seem to have blown out my ankles playing Track and Field on Kinect Sports. No serious damage I imagine, but it has seriously slowed my progress. I am playing at about 50% of what I am used to.

Anyways, I purchased and started EA Sports Active. In retrospect, I kind of wish I purchased this game when it came out. There is a workout program achievement that takes 9 weeks (real time) to complete and some long distance running/biking achievements that are estimated to take about 70 hours. Definitely my biggest hurdle yet.

I am nearly done with Kinect Sports, but until my ankles heal, I am holding off on finishing it. In the mean time, it will be holding up my Gamefly queue.

I also started Deca Sports Freedom (via Gamefly) and have nearly finished it. I am just missing one hard achievement, one co-op achievement, and a couple of time consuming ones. If there weren't a few sensor issues associated with the game, it would have been a pretty good title.

I still need to get back to Dance Masters and finish getting all my secret ripples. I am hoping to not put it off for too long.

Speaking of putting off, I need to cowboy up and pull the wife in to finish Kinect Adventures. I just need to play each level with a 2nd person.

Other than that, I just need to peck away at Your Shape: Fitness Evolved. I don't think I will be getting much accomplished now that I have Sports Active 2 to fill my fitness niche. It should also be noted that the YourShapeCenter.com site still hasn't offered an event in the Events Section. Hopefully it won't create a permanent 5GS void in my completion conquest.

I was actually hoping to finish my Kinect games in such a fashion that I didn't have so many incomplete games going at once. I will try to wrap a couple of them up in the next week or two.

GAME COMPLETED #4: FIGHTERS UNCAGED

This game is proof that fighting games can work for the Kinect. The game is not that difficult to earn all 1000GS, but requires a decent amount of grinding. If you have the time and patience and an understanding of the game mechanics, this game is a fun and achievable 100%.

GAME: Fighters Uncaged

REVIEW SCORE: 6/10

Prior to playing this title, I took time to look up some of the online reviews. The reviews for this game seem to be bad to an undeserving level. I get the impression that players were expecting a full motion, 1:1, real time fighting experience. This is not what this game is about. Unlike fighting games like Mortal Kombat and Street Fighter that focus on fast paced fighting action, Fighters Uncaged works more along the lines of Punch-Out where the fighting focuses more on strategic blocks, dodges and counters. If you were start a match on Fighters Uncaged and flail your fists and feet around like a real street fight, you would most likely lose quickly. If you plan on seriously playing this title and enjoying it to its full potential, it is essential that you play through the tutorials and training sessions to get an idea of how the game works and how the moves are properly executed.

The Kinect sensor works extremely well for this title as long as you have the proper settings and play space. Unfortunately, this game loses a lot of respect due to horrendous character design and cringing dialogue. There also isn't really a lot of play features. There is no multiplayer, and you pretty much keep fighting the same opponents over and over again, attempting to increase your score.

You progress through the game by winning 'Crowns'. Crowns are awarded for beating opponents as quickly as you can while taking as little damage as possible. The better your scores, the more crowns you receive. Once you receive enough crowns, you move up to the next 'league'. Each league increases in difficulty, and offers new fighters to face. Eventually, you beat the game, so to speak, and enter the "Open League". At this point, you just fight opponents to earn as many crowns as you can, which reflect your leaderboard score.

I was happy to learn that I earned a spot on the top 10 in the worldwide leaderboards without even really trying. I could have improved my score, but after reaching 1000GS, I was happy to send it back to Gamefly.

FITNESS SCORE: 5/10

This game isn't really fast paced or strenuous, but seems to work parts of you body that aren't really offered in other Kinect titles. Whereas most Kinect titles focus on leg work, Fighters Uncaged focuses heavily on arms and abs. I didn't realize that Fighters worked my abs until I was sore the next day. The game requires you to lean back while your feet are planted firmly in order to dodge oncoming attacks. This motion acts like a reverse sit up, and really works your ab muscles.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

-There is no point in going out of your way for the 20 win achievements until you reach the Open League. The 20 wins and 20 Open League wins achievements stack, so you will save time by waiting.

-Pay attention to the tips section before each opponent. They will offer you strategies on beating the opponent in the quickest and most efficient way.

-There is an "Advice" section in the tutorials that explain how and when to do the Combos that are required for the combo achievements.

-The best way to ensure that combos will work is to completely deplete the opponent's Zen gauge (the meter on the right side of the screen). If their gauge is empty, they will more likely fall victim to combos. You can deplete this bar by dodging and countering. Also, Super Strikes do a great deal to deplete it. Specifically, use the low hook Super Strike to take out half of the opponent's Zen gauge. 

PROGRESS UPDATE

I have made some significant progress this past week.

First of all, I was able to complete Fighters Uncaged. This was quite entertaining and better than the reviews would give it credit for. The achievements in this game are more time consuming than difficult, but still require a decent understanding of the games mechanics to unlock. I should have a review/tips and tricks post up later this week.

I also downloaded the free DLC for Dance Masters. It includes an additional level difficulty (Master). The great news here is that the new difficulty includes 5 additional secret ripple per song (150 total). These additional secret ripples do in fact count towards the secret ripple achievements. This means that you won't have to find every single secret ripple on Stealth (which is a pain).

Finally, I received Kinect Sports in the mail today via Gamefly. The game is quite entertaining and superior in its production value to other Kinect titles. I am having a blast with it so far. It may pose a handful of difficult achievements which I am dreading yet looking forward to.

GAME COMPLETED #3: GAME PARTY: IN MOTION

This game is the easiest 1000GS I have played thus far for the Kinect and certainly one of the easiest 1000GS on any Xbox 360 title I have played. However, it is also the worst Kinect title I have played and one of the worst 360 games I have had the misfortune of playing.

GAME: Game Party: In Motion

REVIEW SCORE: 3/10

The concept is very appealing. You have Skeeball, Whack-a-mole, Air Hockey, Bean Bag toss, Darts, Billiards, etc. I was super excited when I saw this game available for the Kinect. Unfortunately, the excitement lasted for about 3 minutes after booting up the game.

The problem isn't the game's contents, but the game's execution. The game controls are a jumbled mess. Nothing works as it should. I have spent enough hours on my Kinect to know that my sensor is set up and working fine and that I have proper play space. The problems that this game encounters reach far beyond these rational mishaps.

First of all, most games require throwing of some sort. I have done my fair share of throwing in Kinectimals to know that Kinect can handle throwing. Game Party: In motion in particular however, does not. You can make a throwing gesture with no result, only to have you avatar make a feeble throw as you bring your hand back for another attempt. It all feels very random.

Multiplayer was a complete disaster. The game seems to have an extremely hard time telling who is playing. It isn't even so much a Kinect ID issue, as the game even forgets which profiles are signed in. During a 30 minute multiplayer session, my wife and I had to sign in and receive facial recognitions over a dozen times. The game would constantly tell us that we were not in the play space although we clearly were. Which is confirmed by the fact that the game clears us moments later without us even having to move.

I would love to see a game of this variety arrive on Kinect and work properly. I can't help but to feel that this particular title was rushed in order hit shelves by the time Kinect launched.

With any luck, the game will see a patch that can make this game enjoyable.


FITNESS SCORE: 2/10

To be honest, the games involved in this title don't really focus on activities that would be associated with fitness. What you will see here is mostly stepping from side to side and a lifting of an arm. Ironically, you probably get more of a workout due to the game not working properly, as you find yourself flailing around in hopes of getting the game to react the way you want it to.

TIPS AND TRICKS:

-The game is extremely glitchy when it comes to achievements. This is due largely to the fact that the game tends to forget who is playing. You have to make sure when you are in an activity that the game recognizes you by your profile (as opposed to "Player 1"). If you are signed into an event as "Player 1" and meet an achievement requirement, it will not unlock. In addition, you may find it glitched from unlocking when you do get signed in. To avoid these complications, use Kinect ID to recognize you. It should cause the game associate you with your profile before the start of each match. If you do find yourself having glitched an achievement, try to clear the cache on your console (see xbox.com for tips on clearing cache).

-For many of the perfection achievements, you may want to play with a second person. It is certainly possible to get the achievements in single player, but it is hard to reach perfection when the controls are far from it.