Mike Bantick
Sunday, 19 October 2008 10:18
Opinion and Analysis
Page 1 of 2
Pinata's are for beating with sticks, right? In this game it is all about cultivating a garden to attract the cute little bugga's, make them happy with nice surroundings and friends, fill them with candy and then, and only then, beat them with a stick.
The original Viva Pinata from Rare was a stereotype busting release for the Xbox 360.
Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise
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Developer
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Rare Ltd
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Publisher
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Microsoft |
Rating
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G
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Xbox 360
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Known for its Western orientated predilection for shooters, Rares garden simulator was definitely left of a well cultivated field for the Microsoft machine. And it proved popular.
With Trouble In Paradise, Rare have not mucked around too much with the formulae.
The premise for this game is that there is trouble on Pinata Island. Professor Pester and his gang of pint sized ruffians have drained the Pinata computer database. It is up to the player to restore the database by attracting Pinata creatures, filling them with candy (to full candiosity) and them fire them off to parties around the world.
The player must get the little blighters in arms reach, to do this a garden must be built, catering for the individual whims of the over one hundred assorted Pinatas.
Rare may have outsmarted themselves here. The game is aimed at a young market, and in many ways it succeeds, building upon the originals game-play, which has been un-clunkified in some areas, but a little bit more complicated in others, the result is a game that at its best works in a cooperative way.
But that is not such a bad thing, Rare have pushed the social aspect of Trouble In Paradise, making it easier for friends to team up and share garden items.
Over Xbox LIVE four players can team up for some co-op in a hosted environment, race other players or play golf and other events.
