If there is any one particular genre of games in which the Xbox 360 is lacking, it is the family game department. In an attempt to fill that void, Hasbro Family Game Night has been added to Xbox Live Arcade. The entire compilation can be downloaded for free and includes the basic versions of Connect Four, Battleship, Yahtzee, Boggle, Sorry! and Sorry! Sliders, with the expanded versions of each available for purchase. Yahtzee is a classic game that almost everyone has played, and has been well-translated into an electronic version. The entirety of Family Game Night has been made for families through and through. Immediately upon starting up the game, you are bombarded with bright colors, incredibly chipper music and a jovial Mr. Potato Head who accompanies you throughout all of the games. In Yahtzee, 1-4 players can play, and purchasing the full version allows for online play.
The main screen for Family Game Night
The game modes for Yahtzee include the classic game and a few variant modes. Yahtzee is a mix of chance and strategy. There are five dice that the player rolls and the goal is to get the dice combos to fit into desired categories, such as a straight, like 1-2-3, or three of a kind. Different point values are given for the combos that are made, and the player with the most points accumulated wins. One variant it the Advanced version, which incorporates a Wild Dice that can be changed by the player to whatever he or she desires.
The Wild Dice in the Advanced Version
In Block Out, the objective is to fill combo categories before your opponent does, and Half Card uses only the bottom half of the scorecard. One of the most fun variants to play is Play Reverse, in which the player with the lowest score wins, but the opposing player gets to choose which category your score goes into. There is also a custom game mode which allows players to combine game modes and customize play styles.
There are surprisingly good physics on these dice rolls.
The game is pretty straight-forward, but for those who haven’t played before and struggle a little bit, there is a hints option that can be turned on or off. For those who purchase the full version, there are achievements to be had and online leader boards that can be accessed. This game is better appreciated with friends to play with, since playing against the computer can be rather daunting. The computer is possessed of all the probability equations and instant decision-making capabilities that we lower humans lack. Translation: the computer owns you!
Recommendation:
This game is not something that most gamers will want to rush out and buy, since it is definitely geared towards families. However, if your child always wants to play Xbox, but all you have is Gears of War, this is a great option. Yahtzee is certainly fun to play, and could also be a great party game, since it can play up to four, but playing by yourself becomes rather droll pretty quickly. Overall, it’s a family game, and it serves its purpose very well.
System: Microsoft Xbox Live Arcade
Developer: Bright Light Productions
Publisher: Electronic Arts
April 17th, 2009 at 8:58 am
Mr. Potato Head’s excitement over Yahtzee is freaking me out a little.