) I guess the next on will be Poland then...
Post by RegisFan on Oct 10, 2007 18:34:06 GMT -5
Guys, I have a confession- I've been holding out on you. I received my advance copy of the new Millionaire DVD game a few weeks ago, but I've been waiting for the official release to write my review. Now, as the DVD game begins to ship around the country, I thought I'd share my thoughts with you regarding the latest U.S. "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" home game.
Let's begin with the basics: This is a DVD game. It is limited to the functions of a DVD player, and some changes had to made to the game to fit this restriction. For instance, there is no "Switch the Question" lifeline. Also, you do not lock in your answers in the game, as doing so would require countless different video clips to be loaded onto the game. Instead, you use assorted cards that come with the game to declare your final answer. But don't worry- the Lifelines are loaded onto the DVD.
By far the biggest letdowns are the sounds and the lack of a single-player mode. By saying that the sound effects are a letdown, I mean that not all of the Millionaire sound cues are used. The traditional "lights down" effect is never fully played, only a portion of the "Ask the Audience" cue is used, and only the "second tier" background music plays during the game. The biggest shock was that the developer went through the trouble of making its own sound effects for some parts of the game instead of just using the official ones. Also, there is absolutely no one player mode in the game. It is meant to be a multiplayer game only, and all the players answer the questions at the same time. After each question, Meredith asks who answered incorrectly, who walked away, and who is using a lifeline. These screens get redundant, but they are necessary considering the DVD format. It would have been nice had an official single-player mode been implemented, but one player can easily play alone by selecting a multiplayer mode (up to four players) and having the other players answer incorrectly.
While there is a list of complaints, there is also a sizeable list of positives. Having Meredith as an interactive host is great fun. She's there every step of the way, and for the FIRST time, the host actually reads each question. You really feel like you're sitting across from Meredith in the Hot Seat. Also, the various in-game graphics are spectacular, and the use of the opening sequence of the show adds to the feeling of really watching an episode. The multiplayer mode works well, and the lifelines are fantastic. Even the Phone-a-Friends are fully loaded onto the game, and you have a choice of which of your digital friends to "call" based on their various areas of expertise. The questions do not repeat too often, and are of a difficulty level similar to the ABC Primetime version. The actual Millionaire set is shown numerous times during the game (including a great shot during "Ask the Audience" and right after the opening sequence), although it does appear as if Meredith is sometimes in front of an animated screen.
Overall, this DVD is worth its price tag. As a die-hard "Millionaire" fan, I have my complaints, but to the average consumer it's a great DVD game. The game is faithfully recreated (minus the "Switch the Question" lifeline, of course), and having Meredith as an in-game host is just too much fun to pass this game up. I hope this is the beginning of a successful franchise that continues and improves with age.
Let's begin with the basics: This is a DVD game. It is limited to the functions of a DVD player, and some changes had to made to the game to fit this restriction. For instance, there is no "Switch the Question" lifeline. Also, you do not lock in your answers in the game, as doing so would require countless different video clips to be loaded onto the game. Instead, you use assorted cards that come with the game to declare your final answer. But don't worry- the Lifelines are loaded onto the DVD.
By far the biggest letdowns are the sounds and the lack of a single-player mode. By saying that the sound effects are a letdown, I mean that not all of the Millionaire sound cues are used. The traditional "lights down" effect is never fully played, only a portion of the "Ask the Audience" cue is used, and only the "second tier" background music plays during the game. The biggest shock was that the developer went through the trouble of making its own sound effects for some parts of the game instead of just using the official ones. Also, there is absolutely no one player mode in the game. It is meant to be a multiplayer game only, and all the players answer the questions at the same time. After each question, Meredith asks who answered incorrectly, who walked away, and who is using a lifeline. These screens get redundant, but they are necessary considering the DVD format. It would have been nice had an official single-player mode been implemented, but one player can easily play alone by selecting a multiplayer mode (up to four players) and having the other players answer incorrectly.
While there is a list of complaints, there is also a sizeable list of positives. Having Meredith as an interactive host is great fun. She's there every step of the way, and for the FIRST time, the host actually reads each question. You really feel like you're sitting across from Meredith in the Hot Seat. Also, the various in-game graphics are spectacular, and the use of the opening sequence of the show adds to the feeling of really watching an episode. The multiplayer mode works well, and the lifelines are fantastic. Even the Phone-a-Friends are fully loaded onto the game, and you have a choice of which of your digital friends to "call" based on their various areas of expertise. The questions do not repeat too often, and are of a difficulty level similar to the ABC Primetime version. The actual Millionaire set is shown numerous times during the game (including a great shot during "Ask the Audience" and right after the opening sequence), although it does appear as if Meredith is sometimes in front of an animated screen.
Overall, this DVD is worth its price tag. As a die-hard "Millionaire" fan, I have my complaints, but to the average consumer it's a great DVD game. The game is faithfully recreated (minus the "Switch the Question" lifeline, of course), and having Meredith as an in-game host is just too much fun to pass this game up. I hope this is the beginning of a successful franchise that continues and improves with age.
We Brits have managed to fit all of that in our DVD games - even if there are repeat questions! We can lock our answers in, we get a 'Switch' in the 5th Edition, we get all the sound effects... perhaps you could look on eBay for some of the British DVD games - you'll find they're quite good! 