Post by FrankT on Sept 20, 2010 11:20:41 GMT -5
Frank Triberus' review for
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? SB (U.S. Import)
by Ludia
WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE? SB (U.S. Import)
by Ludia
Introduction:
This is it - at last, for the first time in almost a decade, a Millionaire PC game for the United States!! Ludia take contol of this one, and they bring to life the Season 7 Clock Format. Perhaps they were a bit late, but we can handle it! Can't we?!
Gameplay:
The game is ALMOST true to the show. The money tree is the one that they had when they got rid of the Phone-A-Friend. You control the game as is standard, you answer questions in the time limit, and it also asks you for your final answer! And you have the lifelines, Double Dip, Phone-A-Friend, Ask-The-Audience.... what? No Ask-The-Expert?! Why!? Still, it's better than NOT having the Phone... isn't it? Strangely, the game only reveals the categories of the tier you are on. I don't know why either. The answer boxes don't actually show up before the guest host finishes reading the question.
Graphics:
Simply put: splendid. You can create your character, for starters, although there are a few restrictions. More importantly, the studio is rendered in real 3D CGI! I love it! The Hot Seat is there too!! The question graphics are very much eye-candy, if a bit off. Since when was there a 'Next Question' box though? Hmm. Never mind.
Sound:
This section comes so close. MOST of the 2008 soundtrack is there - good! Oh, but the Q1-5 correct and incorrect cues... are NOT correct. Neither is the milestone win cue, replaced with the intro music
Oh, brother! While I think on it, the lights-down cues are a little muddled. And the Double Dip cues ain't there. Still, you can't have everything. On the contrary, the guest host actually reads out the questions to you! You know, like the UK 2nd Edition game! Although he does do it rather slowly.Multi-Player:
Er... what multi-player? Well, there are four profile slots, if that counts, but...
Other Features:
There are rewards for winning your way through the money tree, using your lifelines with care, watching the timer, and those things. Pretty nifty! Unfortunately they don't unlock any videos or anything. They do unlock items for the Wardrobe, in which you can dress your character.
Verdict:
Ooooh! You came so near, Ludia, didn't you? Unfortunately, several key blunders along the way rattled the whole thing by its roots. Millionaire SB doesn't quite live up to the original PC games - but thankfully it does me nicely. There's even room for improvement! Right? They ought to bring out a 'Millionaire Decades' game. You know, like the upcoming Family Feud Decades? Oh.
Rating: B- But you know you'll play it til the questions wear down!
Pros:
- Accurate gameplay
- Phone-A-Friend!!!!
- Lovely 3D set
- Lovely graphics (if a bit off)
- Questions are read out to you
- Achievements!
Cons:
- No Ask-The-Expert
- Only the next five categories are revealed when the money tree is shown.
- Soundtrack incomplete
- It's not the money tree we know and love!?
- Party Mode and Bonus Footage not there (although they might turn up in the Wii and DS versions..)
- A bit tricky... but then the real show is!
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? © 2waytraffic, 2010.
). As for the music though, there's a chance you could add it yourself if you can navigate to the sounds folder and then just swap the files with the correct name.
