count sheep. When cows go to sleep they count the number of boys trying to tip
them.
So the story
goes, a tale of milkman versus milk-maker. Well, not exactly. But there is
some tipping to be done! Once the tables are turned and the animals rise up,
it’s only a matter of time before humans are the ones feeling weary.
In Barnyard, the
action/adventure adaptation of the film with the same name, cows are like
people. They have their own bars (for mixing milkshakes – what else?), their
own homes, and numerous commitments to family and friends.
The game is divided into
two key parts: missions and adventure/story progress. The latter involves
short conversations with other cows, pigs, chickens, and other farm animals.
Almost every chat leads to another mission, which is where the real fun
begins.
Missions come in 20+
different forms, varying in speed, difficulty, and excitement. Most are (at
the very least) entertaining. Coins are needed to buy new items, and though
they are awarded for every completed mission, there is one mini-game where
your sole mission is to collect coins very quickly. This mini-game is
activated after inserting a special coin. Anywhere from 75 to 200+ coins are
laid out over the world, and you have to snatch as many of them as possible
before the time runs out. Coin amounts are determined by the location of the
coin hubs, which are found throughout the entire game.
Though most missions take
place on a separate playing field, this coin collector occurs wherever you are
at the time it’s activated. You won’t have much time to snatch the coins, and
while you won’t be demoted for failing to catch any, it’s not a good idea to
take this or any other mission lightly.
One way to score big –
and have a good time while doing it – is to take full advantage of your
bicycle. When cycling the game transforms into an adventure version of the
classic Mat Hoffman game. You only have a couple of stunt options, but the
steering controls, speed features, and the way the cow lifts himself into the
air for a jump had to have been inspired by BMX biking.
Navigation is so much
easier with the bike at your disposal. Without it the world would be
overwhelming, and it’s big enough as is. Dandelion Meadow, Beady Farm, Walnut
Woods, and Dankweed Pond are four of 11 locales, each of which are spread
pretty far apart. This gives you a lot of room to explore, find shortcuts, and
discover other secrets while on the way to your next mission.
Missions typically come
through via a call on your cell phone. One of the animals will let you know
they want to talk, at times sounding like a mafia leader needing to have
something taken care of. Everything the game does is for comedic effect, like
teasing mailmen or throwing vegetables at wannabe cow-tippers.
The latter is one of
Barnyard’s most exciting mini-games. It’s also one of the most visually
polished. You get one cannon, several brats, and a whole lot sleeping cows. If
any of the kids are able to reach a cow before they’ve been shot, take ’em out
ASAP. They’ll start pushing on the cow, and it won’t take long for him to tip
over. Every tip deducts points from your total, and could lessen the amount of
coins you receive for completing the mission (assuming you still come out on
top). It’s very daring and surprisingly intense. Frightened children react in
a way that’s sure to get laughs – they scream and run away after taking too
many hits.
Once you’ve nabbed a few
hundred (or better yet, a few thousand) coins, it’s time to go a little off
course and see what else the game has to offer. Gopher Hill, your friendly
neighborhood shopkeeper, sells all kinds of merchandise to meet your
party-animal needs. Every item purchased in the shop goes straight to the
Night Barn, a swingin’ party scene where all the cows love to hang out. Or at
least it will be once you start stocking it with the best games, furniture,
and other appealing items. The dance floor is an expensive item that’s sure to
please the crowd. Meanwhile, purchasing a pool table opens up another fun
mini-game.
At the bar you’ll get the
chance to help fill drinks (via another cool mini-game) and have drinks made
by trading ingredients for delicious beverages. This leads to a third
important game element: recipes. Food and drink recipes are partially hidden
in each locale (I say partially because they’re mostly visible and aren’t that
difficult to locate). Once a recipe has been acquired, you may then go out and
find the three ingredients needed to create the pie, drink, or whatever is
listed.
Ingredients may include:
apples, cherries, milk, butter, cream (which you have to churn yourself by
rapidly pressing the X button), chocolate, eggs, and anything else that’s
edible.
Having goodies made is a
(sometimes) simple way to gain extra coinage. A minimum of five or ten coins
are awarded for every drink or meal made. You’ll get 50 coins for a birthday
cake, which ends up being a requirement for one of the missions.
Barnyard is an
entertaining action/adventure that belongs in the game collection of anyone
who has Shrek, Cars, or the more recent Crash Bandicoot titles. The game
weaves side elements into the main goals as a way of linking everything
together. Such ingenuity has led to a kiddie game that’s entertaining for a
multitude of players, not just the tykes.
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Gameplay: 7.7
A grand
collection of inspired mini-games. Gopher Golf cleverly uses an existing
formula to create something new and entertaining. First the cow takes a swing,
then the gopher must whack the ball into the hole. Milk shooting, one of the
recurring missions, has you squirtin’ targets faster than a kid with a Super
Soaker. The game is steadily entertaining, and that’s mostly due to that
little two-wheeler that lets you cruise the world quickly. It’s fun, seamless,
and has a solid amount of replay value – just what action/adventure fans
ordered.
Graphics: 6
A little on the
plain side. Barnyard’s animations match those of the film, but the textures,
colors, world depth, and overall detail are not the best PlayStation 2 can
produce.
Sound: 7
Barnyard’s voice
acting is better than most, but the soundtrack leaves a lot to be desired. It
has a weird and repetitive country sound that might fit the theme of the
movie, but doesn’t work very well in a game (where you hear the same thing
repeatedly till the end).
Difficulty: Easy
Barnyard is a
really fun game, but like most licensed titles, this one aims for mainstream
appeal. Consequently, it isn’t too challenging.
Concept: 8
One part
action/adventure, one part BMX biking. The stunt aspect isn’t as deeply
realized as the rest of the features, but together make for a wonderfully
entertaining game.
Overall: 7.7
Barnyard’s world
consists of several different locales (all noted on the map) and over 20
mini-games. I’m not usually one to get excited about these features, but
Barnyard’s mini-games are a bit more satisfying than the average take on
whack-a-mole. That one’s covered as well, but the majority are a bit more
action-oriented. Both movie fans and gamers who enjoy the genre should check
this one out as soon as they can.
