Friday, November 5, 2010
Microsoft Kinect: Impressions on Kinect Adventures
i got my Kinect on Thursday. If you don't know what a Kinect is now, the odds are you will by Xmas. So, anyway on to the games...
Many people view Kinect games as a little off. After all, who wants to act like an idiot in front of a camera? Since i don't care what people think about me, that wasn't an issue for me. Yes, there will be a lot of mini-game compilations, dance games and fitness games. However, i can only currently comment on what i own. i have Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports and You Shape Fitness Evolved (which i have barely played). If anyone out there wants to give me any other Kinect titles, i guess i could accept them.
Kinect Adventures: The Kinect sensor comes bundled in with Kinect Adventures, which (you guessed it) is a compilation of mini-games. This game will take pictures of you at strange times (though i am not sure if you need XBL Gold to do that). It also has a living statue thing where it can record your motions and voice for a brief period of time. i'm not sure an achievement called "jumping the shark" is a good sign to have in a pack-in game with a new accessory (that they are betting a ton of money on). i initially thought that Kinect Sports made more sense as a pack-in, i was wrong. Kinect Adventures is probably my favorite Kinect launch title. Good job Good Science Studios (formerly Spawnpoint). This game has a lot of jumping (in 2 games). i know i was tired after less than 1 hour. i know professional game review sites do not like this game, but i do. Like Wii Sports, this has a medal scenario for your score (i've heard rumors that platinum medals exist). Kinect Adventures consists of the following 6 activities:
* Rallyball (if you've seen the Kinect E3 stuff, you've seen Rallyball): it is a game where you serve a ball down an alley (though i keep whiffing on the serve) and try to take out the evil boxes. The ball evilly returns to you, so you can return it from whence it came (to take out more boxes). You can hit targets that split the ball into numerous balls or make it flaming. There are variations on this game
* River Rush: this is an adventure where you go down a river in a raft. However, on this river, you will want to collect pins. This will send you moving side to side to control where the raft is going and jumping to get the pins. There is a lot of jumping possibilities in this game and several other Adventures games. i was having fun over-rotating on 360° jumps.
* Reflex Ridge: Reflex Ridge is an on-rails adventure where you are on a stand-up mine cart (apparently they do exist) and going through an obstacle course. You will need to dodge the obstacles by moving out of their way (left to right), ducking or jumping. You might want to collect pins while you are doing the activity (some through mild contortions). i found this adventure to be slightly disorienting.
* Space Pop: in this game you are in a space station plagued by insidious bubles that must be dealt with. Ok, so that is not what the manual says. You can flap your arms to float up and use your appendages to pop the bubbles (because if you don't who will). You can step left or right, hover, or drop your arms to descend.
* 20,000 Leaks: this is probably under the sea. A bunch of rogue fish are trying to sink your boat. They do this by ramming into a glass wall to create leaks. It is your job, if you accept it, to plug these leaks. You can do it by touching them (or your representation on the screen can). i think this is probably the lamest adventure in the game, but that is just my opinion.
Many people view Kinect games as a little off. After all, who wants to act like an idiot in front of a camera? Since i don't care what people think about me, that wasn't an issue for me. Yes, there will be a lot of mini-game compilations, dance games and fitness games. However, i can only currently comment on what i own. i have Kinect Adventures, Kinect Sports and You Shape Fitness Evolved (which i have barely played). If anyone out there wants to give me any other Kinect titles, i guess i could accept them.
Kinect Adventures: The Kinect sensor comes bundled in with Kinect Adventures, which (you guessed it) is a compilation of mini-games. This game will take pictures of you at strange times (though i am not sure if you need XBL Gold to do that). It also has a living statue thing where it can record your motions and voice for a brief period of time. i'm not sure an achievement called "jumping the shark" is a good sign to have in a pack-in game with a new accessory (that they are betting a ton of money on). i initially thought that Kinect Sports made more sense as a pack-in, i was wrong. Kinect Adventures is probably my favorite Kinect launch title. Good job Good Science Studios (formerly Spawnpoint). This game has a lot of jumping (in 2 games). i know i was tired after less than 1 hour. i know professional game review sites do not like this game, but i do. Like Wii Sports, this has a medal scenario for your score (i've heard rumors that platinum medals exist). Kinect Adventures consists of the following 6 activities:
* Rallyball (if you've seen the Kinect E3 stuff, you've seen Rallyball): it is a game where you serve a ball down an alley (though i keep whiffing on the serve) and try to take out the evil boxes. The ball evilly returns to you, so you can return it from whence it came (to take out more boxes). You can hit targets that split the ball into numerous balls or make it flaming. There are variations on this game
* River Rush: this is an adventure where you go down a river in a raft. However, on this river, you will want to collect pins. This will send you moving side to side to control where the raft is going and jumping to get the pins. There is a lot of jumping possibilities in this game and several other Adventures games. i was having fun over-rotating on 360° jumps.
* Reflex Ridge: Reflex Ridge is an on-rails adventure where you are on a stand-up mine cart (apparently they do exist) and going through an obstacle course. You will need to dodge the obstacles by moving out of their way (left to right), ducking or jumping. You might want to collect pins while you are doing the activity (some through mild contortions). i found this adventure to be slightly disorienting.
* Space Pop: in this game you are in a space station plagued by insidious bubles that must be dealt with. Ok, so that is not what the manual says. You can flap your arms to float up and use your appendages to pop the bubbles (because if you don't who will). You can step left or right, hover, or drop your arms to descend.
* 20,000 Leaks: this is probably under the sea. A bunch of rogue fish are trying to sink your boat. They do this by ramming into a glass wall to create leaks. It is your job, if you accept it, to plug these leaks. You can do it by touching them (or your representation on the screen can). i think this is probably the lamest adventure in the game, but that is just my opinion.
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