Kinectimals: A Thoroughly Charming Game

Today I review a game that had just enough saccharine to be charming without being overly sweet: Kinectimals

I started my journey by picking a cute lion cub that I named Caramon (the poor leopard, tiger and panther will have to wait), and then an annoying flying raccoon looking thing (the only real drawback to the game) led us to a secluded clearing to play. We played fetch with a sombrero; we knocked a volleyball back and forth and we both played dead. I taught Caramon some tricks (and he taught me some as well). It was a great experience.

Now I don't want to be misleading, this isn't the kind of game you will want to spend hours at a time on. This is a more relaxed kind of game, lose yourself in the cuteness for 30 min or so, play some mini games and then go on with your dreary life. Its like a really, really amped up tamagotchi (you know, the old key chain pets)with a whole slew of mini games. There is a mystery of sorts to the island and areas and games to unlock, but I feel that it would only take a few hours of gameplay to unlock everything. What will keep people coming back (aside from the guilt at neglecting your poor cute kitty) is the variety of mini games, that turn out to be very relaxing!

Check out this video review I made to see the game in action: (please excuse the seeming lack of enthusiasm, it was because I was not feeling well, not because of the game)



Game Scores:

Graphics: 10 of 10, A beautiful experience all around

Sound: 8 of 10, the sounds and music add to the experience without detracting, the annoying flying thing's voice is the only thing that keeps it from being 10 of 10

Gameplay: 7 of 10, Kinectimals is what it is, and the only thing that keeps the game from getting a 9 of 10 score is that I find it annoying that when I scratch my nose it throws stuff at my cat.

Overall: 8 of 10, I can't say this is a must buy, because it will definitely not appeal to everyone, but it is a must rent.  C'mon, you won't know if you like it till you try it and this game really shows off the Kinect.