Double Fine Happy Action Theater : A Parent's Dream
Double Fine Happy Action Theater the latest Kinect download for the Xbox Live community and makes for a parents dream. I first saw this game featured on Xplay, a gaming show on G4, and had my typical reaction to a new kinect game, “Lame.” A friend of mine suggested the download and the squeals of delight from the kids five minutes into the game proved how wrong I was.
The game is played through 18 acts ranging from simple balloon popping to my favorite the dance party.
Each unique level has the screen “magically” switch to a world the kids interact with and that world is surprisingly responsive. Not actually controlling anything makes it easy for all kids to play as there is now structure needed to the motion. The Kinect play was smooth even when chasing the “six pack” achievement by getting six of us moving on screen at once.
The game is best played as a group but with the responsive nature of the Kinect the couch joins the fun when only one or two are playing. The level balance is great as one moment you’re running through a lava flow and next taking statuesque poses so birds can land on you. For a parent this is helpful as the game helps slow down the crazy running and screaming of small children. I will admit that it took only a few “acts” for me and another dad to jump in and play. Granted I don’t see this being a go to game for the adults, but after a party night of Dance Central this will be a fun transition for us to change it up.
With silly antics and crazy visuals, Double Fine Happy Action Theater, makes for a great way to pass the time. Double Fine developed a winner costing only 800 Microsoft points and using only 322 MB of hard drive space. This is a great download for any parent that needs to get something done around the house.
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