SourNotHardcore
March 30th, 2011, 10:48 PM
http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/4386/fullhousepokerlogo09657.png
Microsoft Game Studios brings us their next XBLA title, i. As the spiritual successor to 1 vs. 100, this game has got some pretty awesome shoes to fill. Will Full House Poker take home the jackpot or bust out? Let's deal the cards to find the answer.
Before even starting out, the options menu for Full House Poker is an amazing place to start “playing”. For those of you out there who have never really gotten into Texas Hold 'Em or just haven't played in a while, the game offers video and text tutorials in the options menu. It covers everything from the rulings to the different types of hands. The game really went the extra mile to try and get people familiar with it all. In here you'll also find tutorials on how to play the game itself and what you can expect to look out for as you start up a match. Just by taking a quick peek, you can really get a feel for how this title differentiates itself from the sea of Poker games out there.
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3388/snhfhp.jpg
Time to get down to the meat of it all: the game modes. You can expect to find tournaments and the like, both available in single player and multiplayer. The single player also offers the Pro Takedown mode which lets you take on the computer and earn the privilege of going 1 on 1 against A.I. pros. The Texas Heat game mode for multiplayer allows the player to compete in a game show-like environment against thousands of other participants. To get a good idea of your competition, holding down the left trigger and aiming at your opponents will display their stats while giving them a serious staredown. With each session lasting only 30 minutes, you definitely need to know when to hold 'em and fold 'em. Winning in this mode not only nets you experience points, but tons of unlockable, too. There's a schedule on the main menu to let you know when to hop on and take it to the house.
What separates Full House Poker from the competition are the little extra features it puts in to personalize the game for the player. For starters, avatar integration is the name of the game. While it may not be the first title to do so, it certainly raises the bet. The level up system incorporated into the game allows you to unlock various goodies to distinguish yourself from all the rest; clothing, venues, tables, decks, and even chip tricks await you as you gain more and more experience points. Chip tricks are essentially quick parlor tricks you can perform at the table. These tricks in combination with the avatar staredown can make for some hilarious pscyh-outs.
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/3716/ces2011handsonfullhouse.jpg
Visually, Full House Poker isn't going to win any awards, but it certainly does get the job done. The venues, environments and tables match the Xbox avatar style so nothing really feels out of place. While the game may look a bit cartoony, it does a great job at giving you a fun and laid back vibe opposite the more serious nature of the game. The background noise and chatter add to this effect by helping to immerse the player into the world and allow them to really feel that casino atmosphere.
When the dealing's done, the game offers a unique Poker experience with its avatar integration, level up system, and many other neat, little features. All that aside, it really is just another Poker game on the market. If you're a fan of the card game or just enjoy laying back and kickin' it with your buddies online, Full House Poker could be right up your alley. Although the game might not be right for everybody, the trial version is always worth a download. If you decide to deal in, it's 800 MSP ($10).
Score
8/10
Microsoft Game Studios brings us their next XBLA title, i. As the spiritual successor to 1 vs. 100, this game has got some pretty awesome shoes to fill. Will Full House Poker take home the jackpot or bust out? Let's deal the cards to find the answer.
Before even starting out, the options menu for Full House Poker is an amazing place to start “playing”. For those of you out there who have never really gotten into Texas Hold 'Em or just haven't played in a while, the game offers video and text tutorials in the options menu. It covers everything from the rulings to the different types of hands. The game really went the extra mile to try and get people familiar with it all. In here you'll also find tutorials on how to play the game itself and what you can expect to look out for as you start up a match. Just by taking a quick peek, you can really get a feel for how this title differentiates itself from the sea of Poker games out there.
http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/3388/snhfhp.jpg
Time to get down to the meat of it all: the game modes. You can expect to find tournaments and the like, both available in single player and multiplayer. The single player also offers the Pro Takedown mode which lets you take on the computer and earn the privilege of going 1 on 1 against A.I. pros. The Texas Heat game mode for multiplayer allows the player to compete in a game show-like environment against thousands of other participants. To get a good idea of your competition, holding down the left trigger and aiming at your opponents will display their stats while giving them a serious staredown. With each session lasting only 30 minutes, you definitely need to know when to hold 'em and fold 'em. Winning in this mode not only nets you experience points, but tons of unlockable, too. There's a schedule on the main menu to let you know when to hop on and take it to the house.
What separates Full House Poker from the competition are the little extra features it puts in to personalize the game for the player. For starters, avatar integration is the name of the game. While it may not be the first title to do so, it certainly raises the bet. The level up system incorporated into the game allows you to unlock various goodies to distinguish yourself from all the rest; clothing, venues, tables, decks, and even chip tricks await you as you gain more and more experience points. Chip tricks are essentially quick parlor tricks you can perform at the table. These tricks in combination with the avatar staredown can make for some hilarious pscyh-outs.
http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/3716/ces2011handsonfullhouse.jpg
Visually, Full House Poker isn't going to win any awards, but it certainly does get the job done. The venues, environments and tables match the Xbox avatar style so nothing really feels out of place. While the game may look a bit cartoony, it does a great job at giving you a fun and laid back vibe opposite the more serious nature of the game. The background noise and chatter add to this effect by helping to immerse the player into the world and allow them to really feel that casino atmosphere.
When the dealing's done, the game offers a unique Poker experience with its avatar integration, level up system, and many other neat, little features. All that aside, it really is just another Poker game on the market. If you're a fan of the card game or just enjoy laying back and kickin' it with your buddies online, Full House Poker could be right up your alley. Although the game might not be right for everybody, the trial version is always worth a download. If you decide to deal in, it's 800 MSP ($10).
Score
8/10