Dance Masters is a dance game for the Kinect that works similarly to Dance Dance Revolution games in the way of scoring.
It plays differently from most Kinect dance games, but it offers a breath of fresh air.
GAME: Dance Masters
REVIEW SCORE: 8/10
Aside from the different play style, one of the biggest differences between Dance Masters and other Kinect dancing games is the selection of music. Whereas other games offer a collection of Western hits and popular dance songs, Dance Masters offers a variety of J-pop and Para Para style dance songs that may be unfamiliar to most Western games who haven't played a DDR game.
Also, Dance Masters doesn't have a practice more or "break it down" style option to help learn routines. However, you are given a choice on playing an easier difficulty and simply match a handful of moves, or play a harder difficulty and learning the routine on your own, step by step.
The game didn't seem to get a lot of advertising or press attention during the Kinect launch, so it kind of fell under the radar. It seems many gamers were expecting something more similar the super popular "Dance Central". It is certainly an entirely different gaming experience, so I would highly recommend trying out the Demo on the Xbox Live Marketplace to see if it is something you would enjoy.
FITNESS SCORE: 5/10
Unlike other dance styles that focus on legs and lower body, Dance Masters uses a lot of Para Para style dancing (if you are unfamiliar with the style, check out Youtube videos to get an idea) which focuses a lot on arm movements and hand gestures. This creates a fun style of dancing that might be new to most gamers, but doesn't offer quite the same workout as other dance styles.
There is certainly a lot of movement required if you plan on getting into the game, and I recommend staying hydrated.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
-Secret ripples are hidden beats that are located in each song for each of the difficulties (Except Easy). In order to find them, you must activate parallel universe (filling up the gauge in the lower right corner and then holding your right hand out 45 degrees) and follow the dance steps exactly in attempts to hit an invisible target. The target is prompted by a chime that sounds just prior to the secret ripple (please note that there are no chimes in Stealth Mode).
-You can download an extra difficulty from the Xbox Live Marketplace for free. This extra difficulty provides 5 extra secret ripples per song, and helps ease the task of reaching some of the later Secret Ripple achievements.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Monday, October 24, 2011
TEMPORARILY DOWN
I am still working strong on reaching 100% on all Kinect titles. Unfortunately, I won't be able to update my progress to this site for a while. My laptop got fried and am without a computer at the moment. I do have a smartphone with internet that I use for messaging and checking my e-mails, but it is too much of a hassle to update a blog on a slide out keypad. Thanks for reading, and I hope to get my computer situation fixed soon.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
GAME COMPLETED #18: FANTASTIC PETS with DLC
Fantastic Pets is a virtual pet game similar to Kinect launch title, Kinectimals. The game allows you to play, wash, groom, train and customize your pets. Pets range from real animals such as cats, dogs, horses and lizards, to fantastic pets such as dragons, unicorns and flying felines.
GAME: Fantastic Pets (with DLC)
REVIEW SCORE: 5/10
This game will always stand in the shadow of Kinectimals in the Kinect virtual pet department. However, even though Fantastic Pets doesn't have quite the production value as Kinectimals, it does include several features and activities that make it a fun game in it's own rights.
The game offers a larger variety of pets than Kinectimals (which only has different breeds of exotic cats). Fantastic Pets lets you choose from cats, dogs, lizards and horses. Not only that, but it offers unique customization that allows the player to add wings, tails, horns and other outrageous enhancements.
Each day, you can enter your pet into the Talent show and win medals and gems. The medals allow you to level up your trainer rank to earn achievements. The gems are used to unlock different mini-games and other add-ons.
The downside however is that it almost requires you to play consistently day to day in order to progress, although the entertainment value of the game will wane long before you are finished. Since talent shows can only be completed once per day, you will have to return several times a week if you plan on mastering your Trainer Ranks. Also, some of the achievements and awards in the game require you to play upwards of 14 days consecutively.
FITNESS SCORE: 3/10
Most of the activity in the game revolves around hand motions such as brushing your pet, throwing a ball or swinging your arms around to interact with virtual pinatas (you read that right).
There are a couple of activities that require you to run in place or move from side to side, but game difficulty (or lack thereof) or the minimal requirements demanded by the game don't allow for that strenuous of a gaming session.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- If you cannot play the game consecutively in order to earn certain achievements or in-game awards, you can always go to your Xbox console settings and change the date and time in order to trick the game into letting you continue progress. If you are connected to the internet however, you will have to unplug your connection. Otherwise, Xbox Live will auto correct your date.
- Once you have purchased everything in the game (mini-games and Atlas locations), you should be able to purchase any missing in-game awards at 1000 gems a piece. You simply view your award collection and select an award you have yet to achieve. If you have met the proper requirements, there should be an option to purchase the award. This will help you get the final collection achievement, as winning the Bubble Dodge game without getting hit is nearly impossible.
GAME: Fantastic Pets (with DLC)
REVIEW SCORE: 5/10
This game will always stand in the shadow of Kinectimals in the Kinect virtual pet department. However, even though Fantastic Pets doesn't have quite the production value as Kinectimals, it does include several features and activities that make it a fun game in it's own rights.
The game offers a larger variety of pets than Kinectimals (which only has different breeds of exotic cats). Fantastic Pets lets you choose from cats, dogs, lizards and horses. Not only that, but it offers unique customization that allows the player to add wings, tails, horns and other outrageous enhancements.
Each day, you can enter your pet into the Talent show and win medals and gems. The medals allow you to level up your trainer rank to earn achievements. The gems are used to unlock different mini-games and other add-ons.
The downside however is that it almost requires you to play consistently day to day in order to progress, although the entertainment value of the game will wane long before you are finished. Since talent shows can only be completed once per day, you will have to return several times a week if you plan on mastering your Trainer Ranks. Also, some of the achievements and awards in the game require you to play upwards of 14 days consecutively.
FITNESS SCORE: 3/10
Most of the activity in the game revolves around hand motions such as brushing your pet, throwing a ball or swinging your arms around to interact with virtual pinatas (you read that right).
There are a couple of activities that require you to run in place or move from side to side, but game difficulty (or lack thereof) or the minimal requirements demanded by the game don't allow for that strenuous of a gaming session.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- If you cannot play the game consecutively in order to earn certain achievements or in-game awards, you can always go to your Xbox console settings and change the date and time in order to trick the game into letting you continue progress. If you are connected to the internet however, you will have to unplug your connection. Otherwise, Xbox Live will auto correct your date.
- Once you have purchased everything in the game (mini-games and Atlas locations), you should be able to purchase any missing in-game awards at 1000 gems a piece. You simply view your award collection and select an award you have yet to achieve. If you have met the proper requirements, there should be an option to purchase the award. This will help you get the final collection achievement, as winning the Bubble Dodge game without getting hit is nearly impossible.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
GAME COMPLETED #17: KUNG FU PANDA 2
Kung Fu Panda 2 for Kinect is based on the film of the same name. Kinect allows you to control Po, the kung fu panda, throughout many adventures and minigames.
GAME: Kung Fu Panda 2
REVIEW SCORE: 6/10
One major downfall to this game is lack of time it takes to complete. The game offers a Story mode campaign, but don't expect to spend more than two hours on it before the game is finished.
Fortunately, the game is packed with various mini-games. This is where the real fun can be found. There is a target aiming game that may very well offer the best use of aiming that the Kinect has ever offered. There is even a Noodle minigame where you have to prepare noodles and serve them to hungry customers. For you older gamers, the gameplay is similar to the classic game 'Diner Dash'.
In fact, almost all the minigames focus heavily on scoring and combos to give them a feel of classic arcade gaming.
The sounds and voices are well done, even if they couldn't get the original voice cast to support this title. You won't find the talents of Jack Black or Jackie Chan, but James Hong does reprise his role of Mr. Ping. (For those who don't know of James Hong, he deserved an Oscar for his role as Lo Pan in "Big Trouble in Little China".
Fitness Score: 4/10
Like many Kinect titles aimed at younger audiences, the gameplay is focused more on energetic styles that require a decent bit of movement. The Noodle minigame oddly requires to most vigorous use of motion controls. The activity offered by this title does not really require any strenuous workouts, but keeps you constantly moving to the point where you may break a sweat.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
-If you are going for full gamerscore, you should play through the Story mode first. This will unlock the minigames required for a large percentage of the achievements.
-There is really no need to focus on the achievements for collecting steel, iron or gold. If you play through all the minigames and try to earn Gold medals, you should have collected enough by the end of the game to earn all of these.
-For the achievements oriented around defeating X number of enemies, I highly suggest playing through the Story mode first, and then going for Gold medals on all minigames. By this time, if you are missing any of the enemy defeating achievements, you can replay the various Arena minigames to finish them off.
GAME: Kung Fu Panda 2
REVIEW SCORE: 6/10
One major downfall to this game is lack of time it takes to complete. The game offers a Story mode campaign, but don't expect to spend more than two hours on it before the game is finished.
Fortunately, the game is packed with various mini-games. This is where the real fun can be found. There is a target aiming game that may very well offer the best use of aiming that the Kinect has ever offered. There is even a Noodle minigame where you have to prepare noodles and serve them to hungry customers. For you older gamers, the gameplay is similar to the classic game 'Diner Dash'.
In fact, almost all the minigames focus heavily on scoring and combos to give them a feel of classic arcade gaming.
The sounds and voices are well done, even if they couldn't get the original voice cast to support this title. You won't find the talents of Jack Black or Jackie Chan, but James Hong does reprise his role of Mr. Ping. (For those who don't know of James Hong, he deserved an Oscar for his role as Lo Pan in "Big Trouble in Little China".
Fitness Score: 4/10
Like many Kinect titles aimed at younger audiences, the gameplay is focused more on energetic styles that require a decent bit of movement. The Noodle minigame oddly requires to most vigorous use of motion controls. The activity offered by this title does not really require any strenuous workouts, but keeps you constantly moving to the point where you may break a sweat.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
-If you are going for full gamerscore, you should play through the Story mode first. This will unlock the minigames required for a large percentage of the achievements.
-There is really no need to focus on the achievements for collecting steel, iron or gold. If you play through all the minigames and try to earn Gold medals, you should have collected enough by the end of the game to earn all of these.
-For the achievements oriented around defeating X number of enemies, I highly suggest playing through the Story mode first, and then going for Gold medals on all minigames. By this time, if you are missing any of the enemy defeating achievements, you can replay the various Arena minigames to finish them off.
GAME COMPLETED #16: CARNIVAL GAMES: MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO with DLC
Carnival Games: MSMD is a collection of carnival style games that can be played in your own home. This series was made popular on the Nintendo Wii with its motion style gaming.
GAME: Carnival Games: Monkey See Monkey Do (with DLC)
REVIEW SCORE: 5/10
The most important factor in this game is that is pretty fun. There are several carnival style game that you might have played in real life growing up, and now you can relive them in your own living room. Games include Balloon darts, lucky wheel spin, skee ball, basket ball shoot, home run derby, and many, many more.
If the initial games aren't enough, the game offers a couple of DLC packs with additional game variants.
The Kinect sensor didn't seem to give me much trouble, but some of the different game variants seem to be somewhat luck based (as real carnival games would be), which can be frustrating in some instances.
There are some downsides as well. The Carnival guy and his pet monkey keep you constantly annoyed with puns and constant hijinks that become distracting from the gameplay. Also, there are handful of games that aren't very fun that bring down the overall quality for this title.
FITNESS SCORE: 2/10
Most games in this compilation require little physical activity. Mostly just gestures such as throwing your arms, leaning your body side to side, and other slight motions.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
-The fastest way to collect tickets is to play the "Spin the Wheel" game. Although it costs 25 tickets to play, it has the highest potential payout. In addition, if you spin on one of the 'skulls' and lose the round, you can press the Guide button on your xbox controller to pause the game. From here, you can unpause, and choose to restart the match. You will not lose any tickets this way.
-In order to win all prizes in the game, you must purchase all prizes from the stores as well as score high enough on each minigame to unlock a special prize. Once you unlock the special prizes from each minigame, you can earn 25 tickets by repeating the high score.
-If you buy the Barker items from the Barker store, each one will unlock an avatar item as well.
GAME: Carnival Games: Monkey See Monkey Do (with DLC)
REVIEW SCORE: 5/10
The most important factor in this game is that is pretty fun. There are several carnival style game that you might have played in real life growing up, and now you can relive them in your own living room. Games include Balloon darts, lucky wheel spin, skee ball, basket ball shoot, home run derby, and many, many more.
If the initial games aren't enough, the game offers a couple of DLC packs with additional game variants.
The Kinect sensor didn't seem to give me much trouble, but some of the different game variants seem to be somewhat luck based (as real carnival games would be), which can be frustrating in some instances.
There are some downsides as well. The Carnival guy and his pet monkey keep you constantly annoyed with puns and constant hijinks that become distracting from the gameplay. Also, there are handful of games that aren't very fun that bring down the overall quality for this title.
FITNESS SCORE: 2/10
Most games in this compilation require little physical activity. Mostly just gestures such as throwing your arms, leaning your body side to side, and other slight motions.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
-The fastest way to collect tickets is to play the "Spin the Wheel" game. Although it costs 25 tickets to play, it has the highest potential payout. In addition, if you spin on one of the 'skulls' and lose the round, you can press the Guide button on your xbox controller to pause the game. From here, you can unpause, and choose to restart the match. You will not lose any tickets this way.
-In order to win all prizes in the game, you must purchase all prizes from the stores as well as score high enough on each minigame to unlock a special prize. Once you unlock the special prizes from each minigame, you can earn 25 tickets by repeating the high score.
-If you buy the Barker items from the Barker store, each one will unlock an avatar item as well.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
GAME COMPLETED #15: BRUNSWICK PRO BOWLING
Brunswick Bowling is realistic style bowling game for the Kinect. From the physics of the ball to the official Brunswick accessories and the quirky scoreboard animations, the game offers an authentic bowling experience.
GAME: Brunswick Pro Bowling
REVIEW SCORE: 4/10
The biggest issue with the game is repetition. The game tries to add various modes and game styles to promote the play value, but what you are really getting are slight variations of the same thing. The only interesting game mode is called "Spares" where you are challenged with splits and other difficult set ups and challenged to complete the spare.
By winning events and leagues, you earn cash to spend at the Brunswick Pro Shop. Here, you can update your look and upgrade your stats via shirts, shoes, writs guards and bowling balls.
FITNESS SCORE: 1/10
As you may imagine, the only activity taking place here is the repeated motion of swinging your are back and forth. At least in real bowling weight of the ball adds to strain.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Since each frame is pretty much identical to any other, you can actually set yourself up to throw strikes almost every time by learning where to stand and how to throw. I would stand just slightly to the left and throw my hand (righty) straight up. I was able to bowl a 300 in this title after perfecting my motions.
- In the shop, you can view each locked item to find out how to unlock it. This will help you figure out which modes and approaches are needed to unlock the various achievements associated with purchasing various accessories.
- When playing in tournaments or leagues, you can quit out of the match if it looks like you are going to lose. This is useful if you are trying to earn various achievements or unlock progress by finishing high during certain matches.
GAME: Brunswick Pro Bowling
REVIEW SCORE: 4/10
The biggest issue with the game is repetition. The game tries to add various modes and game styles to promote the play value, but what you are really getting are slight variations of the same thing. The only interesting game mode is called "Spares" where you are challenged with splits and other difficult set ups and challenged to complete the spare.
By winning events and leagues, you earn cash to spend at the Brunswick Pro Shop. Here, you can update your look and upgrade your stats via shirts, shoes, writs guards and bowling balls.
FITNESS SCORE: 1/10
As you may imagine, the only activity taking place here is the repeated motion of swinging your are back and forth. At least in real bowling weight of the ball adds to strain.
TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Since each frame is pretty much identical to any other, you can actually set yourself up to throw strikes almost every time by learning where to stand and how to throw. I would stand just slightly to the left and throw my hand (righty) straight up. I was able to bowl a 300 in this title after perfecting my motions.
- In the shop, you can view each locked item to find out how to unlock it. This will help you figure out which modes and approaches are needed to unlock the various achievements associated with purchasing various accessories.
- When playing in tournaments or leagues, you can quit out of the match if it looks like you are going to lose. This is useful if you are trying to earn various achievements or unlock progress by finishing high during certain matches.
GAME COMPLETED #14: YOUR SHAPE: FITNESS EVOLVED WITH DLC
Your Shape: Fitness Evolved is an exercise and fitness game presented by UbiSoft. It focuses heavily on following on screen prompts as well as audio cues to help lead you through fitness routines.
GAME: Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (With DLC)
REVIEW SCORE: 8/10
One of the most intriguing things about this game is the user interface. Instead of the floating hand cursors that are utilized in most Kinect titles, Your Shape: FE uses a projected image of yourself that acts as the controller. You can use your feet to select panels on the ground that activate certain actions. You also use your hands to choose menu options. Your projected image also allows for more accuracy during exercises than you may get while using a cartoony avatar as other Kinect games offer.
In addition to the fitness classes offered by this title, there are various gym games that offers extra fun. Gym games include block punching, light stepping, block balancing, and hula hoops.
The game offers several DLC packs, a few of which add additional achievements to the game (1 DLC is free!). The DLC classes add extra variety to the already existing exercises.
Fitness Score: 10/10
It is no surprise that this title receives a high fitness score, seeing as the game is a fitness oriented title. The game allows varying degrees of activity based on your fitness level. Just remember to stretch before playing and take breaks as needed.
Tips and Tricks:
-Although I don't recommend it, you can change your weight in-game to help increase calorie burning efficiency (for achievements). The higher the weight, the faster the calories are burned.
-Visit Yourshapecenter.com to view your progress as well as unlock certain achievements.
- The DLC exercises count towards your calorie count. So, if you are going for the full gamerscore for this title, it would benefit you to play all DLC programs so you can accumulate calories to work towards your calorie milestone achievements.
GAME: Your Shape: Fitness Evolved (With DLC)
REVIEW SCORE: 8/10
One of the most intriguing things about this game is the user interface. Instead of the floating hand cursors that are utilized in most Kinect titles, Your Shape: FE uses a projected image of yourself that acts as the controller. You can use your feet to select panels on the ground that activate certain actions. You also use your hands to choose menu options. Your projected image also allows for more accuracy during exercises than you may get while using a cartoony avatar as other Kinect games offer.
In addition to the fitness classes offered by this title, there are various gym games that offers extra fun. Gym games include block punching, light stepping, block balancing, and hula hoops.
The game offers several DLC packs, a few of which add additional achievements to the game (1 DLC is free!). The DLC classes add extra variety to the already existing exercises.
Fitness Score: 10/10
It is no surprise that this title receives a high fitness score, seeing as the game is a fitness oriented title. The game allows varying degrees of activity based on your fitness level. Just remember to stretch before playing and take breaks as needed.
Tips and Tricks:
-Although I don't recommend it, you can change your weight in-game to help increase calorie burning efficiency (for achievements). The higher the weight, the faster the calories are burned.
-Visit Yourshapecenter.com to view your progress as well as unlock certain achievements.
- The DLC exercises count towards your calorie count. So, if you are going for the full gamerscore for this title, it would benefit you to play all DLC programs so you can accumulate calories to work towards your calorie milestone achievements.
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