Today I will be reviewing a new party game for the Xbox 360, developed by Screenlife® Games and WXP and just released by Microsoft® Game Studios. Scene It? Lights, Camera, Action.
Basic Information
$59.99
1 - 4 players (sorry guys, no Xbox LIVE play on this one)
HDTV 720p/1080i/1080p
in-game Dolby Digital
ESRB "T"
In the package
First let's start by examining what you get for your $59.99.
The package itself is divided into two sections, each with its own tray. Two Big Button Pads (a controller specifically designed for this game) and an IR receiver (with one VERY long USB cord) are in one tray.
While two more pads, the game (in a thin DVD case), a guide for the pads, and a flyer advertising the wireless controllers are in the other. Two 'AA' batteries are included for each pad.
With batteries installed, the pad is nicely weighted, and feels comfortable to hold. Each button is easily reached using your thumb, with the exception of the Back, Start and Xbox Guide buttons at the bottom.
Play Now
While the kids did their homework, my husband (LoneStar) assisted me in quick game to get our feet wet.
After signing into our profiles we chose "Play Now" and then "Short Play". According to the manual short play will allow you to "Play through different puzzle types in random order. Each round consists of three puzzle types." Long play expands the rounds to 5 puzzle types.
We only had time to play 2 or 3 rounds, and neither of us bothered to read the game manual before starting. So during the first round we were a bit confused on when to use the big button, and when to use the A, B, X and Y buttons. But we soon got it all figured out.
Depending on the puzzle type, you might first be required to "Buzz In" by pushing your Big Button, then selecting the correct answer with your A, B, X or Y button. Yet on some other puzzle types the Big Button is not used, instead you will choose your answer from the A, B, X, and Y button menu.
Answering fast is the key against your opponent since you get more points for answering sooner, rather than later. As the timer bar counts down, the amount of points for a correct answer diminishes. In the first round of the "Play Now" mode, you are not penalized for wrong answers, but in subsequent rounds, you are.
After the initial button confusion, we were having a blast! And just as I was giving him a serious spanking in achievements and points, he had to leave to run an errand.
Which brings me to an observation I made about the pause menu. If you use the 'Start' button to pause the game, you'll have no trouble what-so-ever navigating the pause menu. But if for some reason you use the 'Xbox Guide' button to pause, you'll be completely locked out of the pause menu options, with the exception of resuming the game.
Party Play
While some may view this as a family game, it has an ESRB rating of "T" and most of the puzzles we've encountered so far are too difficult for the younger crowd.
We tested this out as a family. My sons ages 16 and 10 joined in on a couple of "Party Play" rounds.
"Party Play" is basically free play. Everyone can see your answers, and would likely be a great way to play at a family get-together during the holidays. You could abandon the button pads all together and just sit around calling out answers. Imagine great-grandma getting in on the action! (Though I feel the button pads are so well designed, grandma could use one with no problem.)
So while our older son could answer / solve a fair amount of the puzzles, our younger son was only able to keep up by copying mom or dad's answers. There are also the movie clips to take into consideration, which may contain blood, language, suggestive themes, and the use of alcohol and tobacco and violence, according to the ESRB rating on the box.
Given the results of our 'test' I would recommend this game for 16 and up.
Puzzle Types
There are 21 different puzzle types. Here are a few:
Anagrams - Unscramble the movie title
Credit Roll - Guess the title from watching the credits
Invisibles - Guess the movie from a scene photo where the actors have been erased
Pictograms - Guess the title based on picture clues
Props - Guess the movie by a featured prop
Sequentials - Place the movie titles in order of their release year
Sound Clips - Guess the title from an audio clip
And so many more....
Achievements
For you achievement junkies out there, you will have 42 goals to strive for totaling 1000 points. Achievements are earned for such things as answering all of the questions in a puzzle type, winning a multiplayer game, and scoring a certain amount of points.
Where's the LIVE love?
Seriously. I'm completely saddened by the lack of LIVE play on this title. It seems like a no-brainer for a game of this type, and I'd be interested in knowing why it was left out.
Final thoughts
If you love movies, this game is for you.
It's a blast to play, and at only $59.99 for the game and 4 Big Button Pads, a better value cannot be found.
Scene It?: Lights, Camera, Action is the perfect party game for a large family get-together, a small group of friends, or just a couple looking for some brain teasing movie trivia.
-- LoneStarGal
Admin of XboxLiveFriends.net
