Adorn that favorite football jersey, rub some sun-tan lotion and pull up your shin pads and socks. We are compelling you to gear up for sweating it out with the Kinect Sports game. Fashioned for Xbox 360’s Kinect, this title is set to deliver a bunch of sporting activities that claim to capture more than just a couple of hours of gameplay as we figured out during our review. With the introduction of the Kinect, we already see gamers saying bye to boredom and hello to happiness. Lone rangers can now gather up their posies to experience a fun time together.
The game kicks off by putting the players’ Xbox 360 Avatars in the spotlight and in the middle of the field facing the large crowds in the stands. We could control the actions of the crowd by simply waving out our arms. A Mexican wave was also possible to get the audience in a frenzy. As we waved each segment of the stands, the respective crowd was found prancing off their seats to conduct the wave. Additionally, the whole atmosphere also felt like the Fourth of July as fireworks galore were at our beck and call.
Well, enough of playing around and let’s get into some serious sporting action. The Main Event in Kinect Sports included games like Soccer, Bowling, Track and Field, Beach Volleyball, Boxing and Table Tennis. Another mode namely Party Play enables a large number of gamers to partake in all the excitement the various events have to offer. This mode especially comes in handy while hosting parties for near and dear ones. Then there is another mode entitled Mini Games which are observed to be variations of the main events like survival matches and Time Trials.
The different sporting events can be played in the following team setups – the player against either another human, computer or online opponent. Solo or 2-4 friends and family taking turns, 2 players vs. computer opponents, 2 players vs. online opponents and finally multiple family and friends are the other options but then again, it all depends on the modes chosen.
Soccer was the first title we indulged in while in the possession of the Kinect for Xbox 360. It allowed us to pass and shoot while adorning a player’s football boots. Defending and goalkeeping actions were also great poses to indulge in especially for those who have dreamt of emulating the likes of Petr Cech, Gianluigi Buffon, Iker Casillas and Edwin van der Sar. Bowling was another fun activity especially as we didn’t have to wait for our turn as we normally would in a mall or bowling alley. We also weren’t burdened down with the weight of a heavy bowling ball. Besides that, the game was as accurate as the real McCoy. We could spin and hurl the ball down the alley with desired pressure and the Kinect would aptly respond to our gestures.
Beach Volleyball enabled us to stride onto the sandy shores of a virtual beach in our bikinis and swimming trunks. This particular event called for jumping high in the air and performing a smash to bewilder the opponent. Hence, a room without a low false ceiling is needed to perform these actions with elegance and poise. Track and Field seemed to be a ‘dream come true’ for all those aspiring athletes who didn’t make it to the Olympics or even the school track team for that matter. This event included Sprint, Javelin, Long Jump, Discus and Hurdles. We even broke some world records along the way. This game also needs a lot of roof space as we had to jump and perform overhead throws.
“Those with a sedentary lifestyle could take great advantage of the Kinect is what I felt after playing the Kinect Sports game. I loved track and field as it let me participate in games like running, jumping and Javelin, which I wouldn’t opt for otherwise. Adding of the co-op boxing game is also a good move. So, stiff competition for Wii I guess,” says Nikhil Rajan Andezhath, MBA Student and avid gamer.
Table Tennis was next on our list of activities. No need for a paddle, table or ping pong balls popping all around the place. We simply had to flex our wrist muscles in order to put up a good fight against the opponent. Boxing was a great option if punching the lights out of your opponent is what helps take the pressure off. The title actually allows you to feel like Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson with all the defending and punching moves. This seems to be one of the best ways to settle a score with your sibling without getting a black eye or bloody nose. The Kinect proved very responsive while indulging in these two activities as well.
The Kinect also works as a video camera that snaps up the players’ pictures while they indulge in different poses which are, most often than not embarrassing ones. We were so lost in gameplay that we didn’t even notice the awkward positions being made by us. Party Play mode divides the players into teams of two namely red and blue. Each party lasts for 15 minutes hence a group of 6 players were satisfactory for all to get a chance at play. Mascots are also provided for each team to enhance team spirit and competitiveness.
Final Word: Kinect Sports is infused with different events that have something for everybody. This offering is an apt addition to parties or family reunions. The title developed by Rare and published by Microsoft Game Studios could have however featured more famous sporting events such as baseball, cricket and basketball. Owners need to just make sure they have a lot of play area while the audience and other players stay at bay least they want to have an accidental knuckle sandwich (ch).
Graphics: 9/10.
Gameplay: 8.5/10.
Sounds: 9/10.
Environments: 8.5/10.
Replay Value: 9/10.
Overall (not an average): 9.1/10.