Kinect Adventures Review (Xbox 360 Kinect)

Written by Ender on February 23, 2011 · Filed under Games, Review 

As you all know by now, Microsoft have released their Xbox Kinect motion sensor ‘controller’, and bundled with the peripheral is Kinect Adventures.

Nobody expects amazing things from release titles, let alone one that’s part of a bundle on release, but occasionally you can hit oil. Unfortunately, this time around, Kinect Adventures is a good, but average title for your Kinect-equipped Xbox 360.

I saw this as merely a game that would get you used to how Kinect works and to help players get used to playing games without a controller in your hand. Don’t get me wrong, the game works well and is enjoyable, but I found myself getting a bit bored after 20 minutes or so.

Gameplay

There are a few game styles to choose from in Kinect Adventures with the main menu consisting of Adventures, Free Play, Online and Timed Play.

The adventures are split into 4 difficulty settings which are Basic, Intermediate, Advanced and Ultimate Treasure. Each setting has a selection of games for you to play to advance to the next level. After completing each of the adventures you get the chance to record your actions which is brilliantly translated into one of the living statues which you can earn from playing the game.

Not only that, but after you’ve recorded yourself being daft through your actions, you can even upload your recording to the internet and stick it on your facebook page for all to see. Not only that, but throughout the game, Kinect is constantly taking photos of you in the most weirdest positions which you can see at the end of each game. But more often than not the pictures come out a bit too blurry. Although there was a great picture where it looked liked I’d almost jumped through the roof.

Free Play is exactly what it says on the tin. Games that you’ve played in the Adventures but allows players to play them in any order they fancy, when they want. This mode is good for when there’s a couple of players wanting a quick blast. Timed play is full of games where you have to beat the clock before the time runs out, which can be fun as your actions become more erratic the closer the timer gets to running out.

Online is obviously for those who want to pit their skills against each other over Xbox LIVE. So if you fancy testing your skills with people around the world or your mates, then this is the best way to do it. But of course, with all online Xbox titles, you must be subscribed to Xbox LIVE Gold to make any use of this feature.

There is another option on the main menu called Show off and Share which is where you can view all your statue recordings, photos and achievements for the game. You can also upload your recordings and photos from this option in the menu as I mentioned above.

It’s a fun addition to have in Kinect Adventures as your able to log onto the website and share with the world just how stupid you look whilst playing a game with a gormless look on your face, or maybe an over excited expression, depending on how you look when playing this game.

Graphics & Sound

Visually, Kinect Adventures looks brilliant. The style of the game is done with a cartoon feel which makes it feel more easy going and fun. The characters look simple but are very effective as they’re only really there are a guideline as to where you are in the virtual world as your focus is mainly on the tasks at hand.

Some of the scenery surrounding the games looks great and you can tell that the developers haven’t seen this as a secondary item in the game. The game looks solid throughout and is nicely polished.

What I liked about the audio in Kinect Adventures is that it’s very upbeat and does help to make you feel more active (well it did for me anyway). Many a time have I been playing the game and feeling a tad more energetic because of the music in the background, then after the game has finished and you get to see clips of yourself prancing around in your jolly state, which is good for a laugh.

The music is motivational stuff and like having Mr Motivator himself in the room with you pushing you to over exert yourself and look like a complete tool. But it’s worth it.

Overall

I did have fun whilst playing Kinect Adventures but I did find myself become tired of playing the same games over and over. The motion control works well but there can be some questionable moments at times.

If you’ve got the space in your room and are able to have 2 players at a time, this would be great fun for a few hours, especially if you have a group of mates round as it’s all down to your skill, not how good you are at using a controller. It’s all on you and your reactions. There might be a few mates getting a tad competitive.

All in all, Kinect Adventures is a fun and enjoyable release game for Kinect and will get you used to how it all works. But personally, I found this to be more of a game to save for a rainy day or to wheel out for party gaming than something I’ll keep playing day to day.

3 out of 5