Hoyle Casino 2006 – PC – Review

What year would be complete
without another edition of a Hoyle game? Last year saw revamped
versions of the Hoyle Card and Board games, this year we have a
new edition of Casino for 2006. For the most part, these new editions
don’t really add much in the way of new games, but instead offer variations on
standard games and mix up the offerings from the puzzle, card and board
varieties back and forth. Hoyle Casino 2006 follows this tradition,
with the “new” games really just different takes on previous games.

The basic features of the
previous Hoyle games are the same: Facemaker, where players can design
and create characters; a comprehensive help file which can be accessed during
games; game advice for practice games; game statistics; and animated AI
opponents. For those who’ve never played a Hoyle game, the facemaker is
a fantastic design mode where players can create personalized
characters. These characters can be made to look startlingly like the player,
or can be made to look as real or as silly as anyone could want.  What is
really neat about this utility is the fact that the characters still look like
cartoons, so players can see themselves in a comic version, so to speak.

The interface is as
smooth and intuitive as always, with help and hints just a click away. Betting
couldn’t be easier, and the play moves along swiftly. There are options for
in-game sound affects and music, and also how chatty or sassy the computer
opponents will be. A new twist on this chattering is the fact that now players
can chat back! Players can choose a happy (congratulatory) or sad (consoling)
icon next to an opponent, for their character to say something personal to
another player. The different comments from the computer characters are
numerous and varied, and really add to the fun of the game.

While I have played many
versions of the Puzzle, Board and Card games, I’ve never
played the Casino line, so am not quite sure exactly what is new, but
here are the main differences as far as I can tell. There are new listings in
the game lineups, for a total of 18, versus the 16 offered previously, but
these seem mainly to be variations.  Royal Match 21 is a version of Blackjack,
and Big Raise Hold‘em is a variant of Texas Hold’em. Fortune Pai Gow is a
variant of Pai Gow. Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hold’em have moved to the sublist
of the Poker games, as has Five Card Draw and Seven Card Stud. Four Card Poker
is new to the main lineup, but may have been in a sub list previously.

Despite there being not
much in the way of new content, the variations do add to the general quality
of the game, which is always good. The Hoyle games are the top of the
line when it comes to home entertainment, and Hoyle Casino 2006 is no
exception. The big question is, do players already have recent editions of
Hoyle Casino, and is it worth $30 to have the new edition? In my opinion,
there’s not enough new content here to justify getting the new version, if one
already has the 2004 or 3D version. However, if players don’t already have
these versions, then this is a great game to get for casino game enthusiasts,
especially if there are any high school or college students in the equation,
given the mad popularity of Texas Hold’em at this time. They can practice
their poker skills and not lose any money, either. (Although I would hope that
any teen playing poker would be playing just for fun any time, and not for
money, from my perspective as a parent.)

One note, the online
versions of the Hoyle games can be found at the

Hoyle Games site, for those looking for real opponents.

Review Scoring Details for Hoyle Casino 2006

Gameplay: 8.0
There are a ton
of games to play, basically any type of betting game available.
The facemaker is
always fun, and the options add to the general quality. Anyone who likes to
play these type of games will enjoy this version.

Graphics: 7.0
While the
graphics are pleasing, they aren’t anything above the ordinary.

Sound: 7.0
The background
music is fairly average.

Difficulty: Medium
The games vary in
difficulty, with some being harder than others. There’s always help just a
click away, though.

Concept: 7.0
As always, a good
presentation and design. However, there’s not enough in the way of new content
to justify releasing a new version every year.

Overall: 7.5
The Hoyle
games are a lot of bang for the buck.  However, the newest versions are pretty
much the same as the previous ones from the last couple of years. But for
those who don’t already have Hoyle Casino, then this is a great
addition to anyone’s gaming library.