I’m sure it’s happened in other
games, and if it hasn’t then frankly I am surprised, but for me, this is the
first Wii game that allows you to actually use your Mii character that you
have created. Yes, I know, purists out there will say the game that comes with
the system that uses it, but you know what I mean; I don’t have carnival games
or any of the other "game" collections, so if that is the case, then I just
didn’t know. But since this is more like a party game/quiz show, then using
your Mii seems like a good fit. And if you are like me, your Mii looks like a
really disturbed baboon that just ate an unripe bannana, wearing glasses.
Regardless, if anything, this is honestly the closest Nintendo has come to
capturing that feel-good emotion that came years ago when families would
gather around the kitchen table and play games like Monopoly or Life on Sunday
night.
Ok, so, the premise is simple,
players log in to the game, use their Mii, or one of the pre-created ones that
come loaded on the game and begin playing a trivia game that is designed to
keeping things fair. By inputting your age, the game automatically selects
questions that would be relevant to your age. My seven year-old was getting
some relatively easy math questions and kid-game related questions while I got
stuck with things like "What is the atomic weight of boron?" Ok, I’m kidding
about that last one but you can understand how the game makes things more even
keeled regardless of age. And even though the game has some 20,000 questions,
I actually smiled when I saw the same one on my third time playing. I know
it’s going to happen, it’s just I didn’t expect it to happen so soon.
"Why the girl in purple does, of
course!"
So how it all goes down is like
this, there are three different ways in which to enjoy Smartypants, the
single-player mode where you answer trivia question while racing against the
clock and certainly the least enjoyable mode of play. It begs the question of
why? Quite honestly, I suppose if you played enough by yourself you might
eventually see all 20,000 questions but that merely proves that you have much
larger problems going on in your life it if that’s how you spend your
evenings. Regardless, the single-player mode is very disappointing in all
respects because the game never saves your high scores. EA may have had
something if you could play a 20-game single-player match and since the game
is timed in its answers (you get more points the faster you answer) you could
play a beat the clock-type mode, but since that doesn’t happen, the game
shoots itself in the foot in terms of single-player gaming.
Where the game gets its legs is
the two multiplayer modes, the first being the head to head against up to four
players where it is a blitz to see who can answer questions the fastest and
for the greatest amount of points. This is the game that reminded me of (for
you readers of age) that pub game where you play against other patrons in a
battle of who has more useless knowledge stored in their brain. I always liked
that game and it gave me a smug sense of satisfaction knowing I could beat the
two other people in a crowded bar at knowing more useless drivel. Cleverly,
the developers use a hand snap action to activate your ability to answer
questions which adds a somewhat enjoyable action to the game instead of a
"completely expected" button push. Remember, this is as much of a quiz show
game as anything and people often must be fast on the draw when it comes to
hitting the buzzer.
The last way to play is team play,
where you play against another couple or group and, well, play as a team. This
is made all the more fun that bringing people together always seems to do. I
liked that the game encouraged a way for people who don’t like playing video
games an opportunity to get in on the fun. My family is one such group that
does not really have this problem, but my mother-in-law does not really care
for video games. Well, I can tell you that she sure did enjoy this one when we
happened to have them down for a weekend, the whole family was over and
everyone broke off into teams; this is what family gaming is all about, fun.
"If he is dancing, he must be in a lot
of pain."
Options abound in Smarty Pants
with the ability to select what kind of scoring you use, there’s the countdown
option like I mention above, a spin-the-wheel-type option where you play a
game as close to Wheel of Fortune as you are going to get and a shooting-type
game that gives the value of each question. This is a hit-and-miss type of
thing in my opinion, I like the spin the wheel and the countdown, but the
gun-shooting scoring system is not on the same level of enjoyment. My kid
seemed to like it, but most adults who played said they would pass on
this option in future games of this venue.
Additionally, the game does have
some, ahem, interesting ideas when it comes to the goofy little things that
pop up; yes, dancing is one of them and yes, it isn’t all that fun.
The game really doesn’t benefit
any from some great graphics or pleasant sounds, the game doesn’t need them.
Which to me is plain weird, the game presents itself and then allows you to
enjoy lots of fun with the camaraderie that playing a board game with friends
and family tends to do, but then also asks that you pay a premium price. This
is a game that while big on fun, is not big on looks or sounds, kind of weird
since the price tag on this title is $49.99. I would have priced this one at
$29,99.
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Gameplay: 7.8
It’s a pretty tall order when you have to swing the wiimote around to
spin the wheel or whip it up to activate the buzzer. I like the way this game
makes everyone laugh.
Graphics: 6.0
Not much to write home about, the
game makes a good attempt at some flashy lights and dancing Mii’s but they
never really pop all that bright and the lack of engaging visuals is one of
the game’s weak points.
Sound: 6.0
Yes, this is the second of three poor points, there is no zany voice
over or exciting music to help ramp up the game’s frantic pacing; it’s a
shame, the game could have gone far with a wise-guy smarmy host saying funny
zingers.
Difficulty:
Easy-Medium-Hard
It all depends on how old you put
yourself in as, questions can be really easy or surprisingly tough.
Concept: 7.5
This is a terrific party game and
the Wii’s intuitive controls bring about a great way to exercise those
competitive urges.
Multiplayer: 8.4
This game is only meant to be
played with other real people, this is what it was designed for and this is
where the game earns its credibility.
Overall: 7.4
The game is a real doozy when you
have friends over who are willing to play, otherwise the single player is a
real letdown.
