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| Viva Pinata |
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| Simulation |
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| Rare |
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| Microsoft |
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1st December 06 |
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7th November 06 |
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3+ |
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(E) - Everyone |
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Rare have a track record of producing a lot of humour in their games even if they are of an adult themed nature such as Conkers Bad Fur Day or the brutality of Perfect Dark Zero complete with unusual phrases being uttered by the game’s characters. Rare have certainly produced a wide variety of titles since they formed way back in 1985 and it shouldn’t have come as any surprise that Rare were developing a game featuring piñatas!
What are piñatas? Well piñatas are actually stuffed toys originating from Mexico and used during kids parties. The Piñatas are usually filled with sweets or other goodies and during the Fiesta can be smashed open spilling the sweetie contents for the party goers to grab and eat. They come in all shapes and sizes and can include things such as Cactus, Birds, Donkeys, Bulls, and even chillies!
So where does this leave Viva Piñata the Xbox 360 video game? The idea behind the game is for the player to create an immersive world where living piñatas inhabit an ever changing environment. Players begin the game with a few basic tools which enables them to build and take control of the environment using their creativity and imagination. Players will be able to sow grass, dig ponds, plant flowers, grow trees and place objects to attract, protect and manage over 60 different piñata species that can visit their world and make it their home of choice. Depending on what you place in your created world will ultimately affect what piñatas inhabit it. There are piñatas such as Horstachio (a horse) who is a fine, upstanding citizen of the Piñata community, bigger and stronger then most other steeds, Buzzlegum, a bee piñata of the easy going variety, Parrybo the parrot who is prone to headaches due to not being able to be quiet and many more wonderful piñatas.
The main aim of the game is simply to create a Piñata paradise and for the visiting piñatas to eventually move in and make your luxurious setting their home. There will be a number of set objectives to complete as well as a mode which enables you to do things in your own time I would assume. Once piñatas have decided that they like what they see then all sorts of customizable options become available to player. Residing piñatas can be individually named and given their own tag which the player can design. The piñatas then display these to mark their territory in the game world. Players can play dress up with their piñatas and customize their clothes and accessories as well as choose homes.
Pinatas are sociable creatures and so with the perfect paradise created for them will want to settle down and create families. Players will have to learn the personalities and nuances of individual piñatas so as to ascertain what requirements they require to keep them at their happiest. Players will be able to consult various helpers along the way to aid in creating successful piñata paradises; however this is optional as players can seek help or simply do things on their own. Players must be warned though because there will be some rogue element to the game in which sour piñatas can reveal their ugly heads and cause trouble in paradise. With piñata personalities being distinct players can expect rivalries, illness and injuries to occur which will need fixing. Players can also expect fights to break out if things are left to get out of hand.
In Viva Piñata players are able to interact with other gamers from across the globe via Xbox Live. Players will be able to trade items and present challenges or simply seek help and advice from other Live players by allowing visitors into your paradise.
Viva Piñata sounds and looks like an interesting management type game and one that will no doubt appeal to the masses of gamers who like the genre. It certainly doesn’t look overly complicated and seems like one of those games that will appeal to beginners and experts in the way it has been designed. I’m not sure whose decision it was to feature piñatas in a game but from the looks of things it could turn out to be a humorous experience; certainly a far cry from your typical shooter, that’s for sure. With some excellent looking fluffy graphics and plenty of humor that Rare are famous for, Viva Piñata on Xbox 360 looks like a game aimed at the wider market and a generally fun game. Viva Piñata is due out this holiday season 2006 or Xmas depending on which side of the pond you are from.
Preview By: Robert Cram
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