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Kinect launches - Game Review round-up

by Steven Williamson on 4 November 2010, 14:00

Tags: Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), Xbox 360

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With a seemingly strong launch line-up bolstering the launch of Kinect in the U.S today, Microsoft is quietly confident of reaching its target of 5 million units over the holiday season. We’ll have a full review on Kinect next week, when it launches in the U.K., but today we've been following the U.S. launch with some interest. The embargo date has now lifted and across the web reviews of those games made to compliment the technology are coming in thick and fast. Check out these initial impressions from a selection of gaming websites.

Note: We've published two summaries on each game, one is from the site that gave it the highest score and the other is from the website that gave it the lowest score. All data is taken from Metacritic.

Kinect Sports – Average review score 76%
IGN - "An easily accessible but surprisingly nuanced game. While there are some stumbling points here and there, such as the strange local multiplayer omissions in Table tennis or the muddled co-op mechanics of soccer, Kinect Sports still manages to be fun and different."

Gametrailers - "It would have made a nice pack-in, but package ends up feeling uninspired, relying on little more than the fast-fading novelty of motion controls."

Kinect JoyRide – Average review score – 58%
GameInformer - "In the right modes, Joy Ride pumps out excitement. In the less desirable avenues of play, it only brings frustration due to its inability to deliver a full video game racing experience. A close approximation to racing in a market loaded with great racing experiences like Burnout, Project Gotham, and Forza just doesn't cut it." Joystiq - "Sure, it was neat the first time I grabbed a pretend steering wheel and was able to make my car turn, or when I performed the motions that initiate boost and various stunts. But the novelty wore thin quickly, leaving me with the realization that not only is the control laggy and imprecise -- it's also not very comfortable to hold your arms out like this for more than a couple of races, and the inability to play while sitting only makes matters worse." Kinect Adventures – Average Review Score – 65%
GameInformer - "Kinect Adventures is a perfect game for in and out party-type play, but as the adventures become longer they can get tedious and exhausting – particularly Reflex Ridge's sadistic "squat, jump, sidestep, repeat" gameplay. That said, Kinect Adventures is sure to be a family hit as people gather for the holidays." Xbox360Achievements - "It seems as if Kinect Adventures is included with Kinect to showcase the capabilities of the device rather than provide any substantial gaming experience. It's a game that's fun in short bursts, but requires a ton of space for two-player multiplayer. Admittedly, Kinect Adventures starts off quite well as the Kinect bundle software, but after an hour it demonstrates its lack of depth once you realise that you've pretty much seen and done everything." Kinectimals – Average Review Score - 76%
Gametrailers - "While those expecting a more traditional gaming experience will be turned off after the novelty wears thin, Kinectimals is perfectly suited for the younger ones in the household, particularly those who can't keep a real pet." Eurogamer - "While those expecting a more traditional gaming experience will be turned off after the novelty wears thin, Kinectimals is perfectly suited for the younger ones in the household, particularly those who can't keep a real pet." Dance Central – Average Review Score – 83%
1Up - "The selection of jams, from Pitbull's "Calle Ocho" to M.I.A.'s "Galang '05", are all bootie-bouncing material. The range of dance routines vary considerably and feel legit -- I'd feel comfortable doing "the jerk" at a club."

Joystiq - "Ultimately, Dance Central's greatest shortcoming is that it can't actually teach you how to dance. But, it's greatest triumph is that -- against all odds -- it will make you want to."

Stay tuned for our full review on HEXUS.gaming next week.


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