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Developer: EA Games
Publisher: EA Games
Genre: Party
Region: NTSC
Format:
Release Date: 13 Nov 07
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- EA does the smart thing by bringing in Mii's into this fun trivial game. Might be a bit light on the features, but a fun choice for the whole family.
Overview
I am a big trivia guy, in fact I have been a big advocate for the need for more trivia-based games on the consoles. I have always thought it was an untouched genre that just needed to be tapped into. The Wii being the console for everyone, seems like a perfect platform to implement trivia games. EA has seen this opportunity and gone for it with their latest title Smarty Pants a fast paced trivia game, which hopes to be making into your homes this holiday season. But is Smarty Pants as smart as it wants to be? Read our full review to find out!
Gameplay
There is no doubt in my mind that Smarty Pants on paper has all the makings of a great game. It has the concept, it has a great deal of content, and it has the use of the Mii's which brings "you" into the game, so "wii" all can play. See, I am coming under the Nintendo ideal more and more each day. Enough with that, let's get back into the review. Sure Smarty Pants has everything on paper, but does it have everything in reality?
Smarty Pants is best played with other people. You can go solo, and that is fine, but it is not what a game like Smarty Pants is created for. Playing solo works, it has it's moments, but at the same token you just get the feeling like there could have been more to make the experience feel a little less lonely. I however would consider playing alone more like practice, more than an enjoyable sit down experience.
However the game truly thrives when playing with a group of friends, as this is really what the game is meant for. Half the fun of watching The Price is Right or Wheel of Fortune are the contestants, so the fact that you and your buddies are the contestants makes the game interesting. There are three different lengths of games to play, basically short, medium, and long. You then have to choose the style of game you can either choose how much questions are worth, or get the amount of points based on how quickly you answer. I would highly recommend going by length over choosing your own points, it just seems more conventional and more engaging for competition.
There isn't a whole lot more to say about Smarty Pants it never really attempts to reinvent the wheel, it just builds a new one. Duplicate questions seem not to be a problem, there are some great variation in the categories, and overall it just seems to work. This is just a middle of the road experience, one that is enjoyable with a big crowd but nothing out of the ordinary.
Graphics
Using the Mii characters in Smarty Pants was a great decision, it really helps feel more apart of the game, something a trivia game needs to do. Visually however outside of the use of the Mii's which is fantastic, the rest of the experience is a bit bland. There are so many things that the game could have used to brighten it up, more diverse use of color, stronger shades, a more energetic setting, and just more enthusiasm behind the game, all could have really come in handy.
Fun Factor
It's a trivia game, if you like this sort of thing you're going to enjoy Smarty Pants. Who doesn't like trivia is a better question? I think Smarty Pants is a pretty universal game, it is going to have categories that you're strong in, and others that you struggle. Fashion and Books were my worst, and yet Games Sports and Entertainment were my strongest. Smarty Pants is a great game to play with friends and family, and is one that can sit in your library for months and still be fresh when you take it out.
Overall
As much as Smarty Pants wants to be the next big thing on the Wii, it sure could have been, but I just didn't feel the originality nor the fresh face that could have taken this game to the next level. Yet still with that being said, if you're looking for a game outside of Wii Sports to bring everyone together, Smarty Pants isn't a bad choice.
- Gameplay
7.0 - Graphics
6.0 - Fun Factor
7.0 - Overall
7.0
