It’s funny
to realize how much one can learn about someone else through their writing.
For example, for anyone who’s read my other reviews, you know that I love
anything that reminds me of my youth, you know that, by way of the Mini
Bearer, I spend entirely too much money on Yu-Gi-Oh; you know that I think the
EyeToy is the bee’s knees; and you know that I think that THQ has done a
phenomenal job with the Nickelodeon license. So imagine my excitement when THQ
combined the Nickelodeon license with EyeToy support and I was awarded the
review for this title! Fortunately, THQ has continued its proud tradition of
creating solid Nickelodeon titles, but unfortunately in doing so, they’ve also
continued on everyone else’s tradition of pumping out, in essence, the same
EyeToy games.
In Nicktoons
Movin’ (NM) you are presented with a healthy roster of EyeToy games (13 in
all), each one of which centers around some of Nickelodeon’s most-beloved
franchises. These games, as the name implies, involves “movin’” your body
(i.e.…arms) to manipulate the action on screen. You’ll help SpongeBob create
delectable Krabby Patties, you’ll hang glide with Otto, pilot a sub with Jimmy
Neutron, and bowl over marauding robots with Timmy Turner, among many others.
Each of the games are responsive, frenetic, and both fun to play and watch,
all of which are hallmarks of the best EyeToy games. It should also be said
that each of the 13 games included are different enough from the last so it’ll
never feel like you’re playing the same game twice, which is an accomplishment
in and of itself. So far, so good, because NM does do these things better than
those that came before it, but that’s where the problem lies – those that came
before it.
In essence,
these are the same games that we’ve been playing since the very beginning of
the EyeToy. Sure there are minor differences in the way that you control the
action, and there are different stories and characters attached to each, but
that’s where the differences end. As I said earlier, THQ has raised the bar
for these types of games, just edging out Sega’s recent compilation, but
whether or not that’s reason enough for gamers to purchase the title comes
down to how high of regard they hold the Nick license.
Graphically,
as with other EyeToy games, the graphics boil down to framing the action on
the screen. Generally speaking, your smiling face is the centerpiece to what
you’ll see on the screen. Beyond your feelings concerning the face looking
back at you, each of the games does a great job capturing the look and feel of
the source material, another strength of the THQ/Nick marriage. Whether
flipping Krabby Patties at the Krusty Krab, or nabbing ghosts with Danny
Phantom, or unscrambling pictures with Timmy, you really get a great sense of
the environment. The graphical styles expertly mimic the artwork of the show
by using similar color palettes, furthering the effect. The graphics are sharp
and bright, featuring some nice particle effects, creating an excellent visual
package. The little animation that is there is excellent, but you’ll have nary
a chance to enjoy it because you’ll be so focused on the fast-paced action.
The game
also fares pretty well in the sound department, featuring the sounds, music,
and voices unique to each set of characters, which is an absolute must for
fans of the licenses. Most of the games are rather short in nature, so you
won’t hear a whole lot, but what is there is worthy. Additionally, the sound
effects tied to your actions within the game all fit perfectly with both the
license and the action. Overall, the sounds are crisp, varied, and as
whimsical as you’d expect with licenses such as these.
In closing,
Nicktoons Movin’ is a very solid, worthy title for the EyeToy, which will
immediately appeal to fans of the source material. The games are more varied
than they’ve been in other collections, and they do tend to offer action that
is a little more robust and involved than previous efforts, making it the best
EyeToy title to date. However, that may not be reason enough for those fans
that have purchased the earlier titles. There is definitely a real sense of
deja vu as you settle into each game, leaving you with that uncomfortable
feeling that you’ve already been here and done that. So ultimately the
decision will come down to what EyeToy titles you already own and how much you
like Nickelodeon characters. Lastly, while this reviewer is happy and
appreciative that developers are beginning to pay some well-needed attention
to the EyeToy, especially with quality titles such as this, developers are in
real danger of alienating fans of the peripheral. A little innovation would go
a long way with this excellent means of playing games, a task I’m sure THQ and
other developers are up to.
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Gameplay: 8.5
With an
impressive roster of 13 games, there is a nice array of ways to enjoy the
disc. Each of the 13 works as intended, with a relatively easy initial set up,
which isn’t always the case with the EyeToy games. Each of the games is
relevant to their particular license making them feel fitting and natural. All
in all, the best collection of EyeToy games available.
Graphics: 8.5
With the various
different cartoon licenses involved, each with their own individual look, THQ
has done an excellent job of capturing each. The graphics are crisp, sharp,
and colorful with nice animations and particle effects.
Sound: 8.5
As with the
graphics, the sound of each game perfectly represents each individual license,
with familiar music and voices. The sound effects tied to the gameplay and
your actions fits perfectly with each source.
Difficulty: Medium
Most of the games
present a nice challenge and a surprisingly good cardiovascular workout. With
varying difficulties, everyone should be able to find their comfort zone.
Concept: 7.0
Like Sega
Superstars, Nicktoons Movin’ gets points for being an EyeToy title, but the
similarities to those titles before it ultimately hurts it. It’s great to have
an EyeToy game supported by great licenses, but it really needed to do more to
differentiate itself from the rest of the genre.
Multiplayer: 9.0
With support for up to eight players,
Nicktoons Movin’ serves to be a great party game, for partiers of all ages.
The games are fun to play and almost as fun to watch, especially when viewing
a particularly uncoordinated participant.
Overall: 8.5
Based on its own
merits, this is an excellent addition to the EyeToy library. The games are
solid, responsive, and, most important of all, fun; but their similarities to
previous titles holds it back. Fans of Nickelodeon will find an awful lot to
like about this title, assuming they haven’t worn themselves out with previous
EyeToy titles. For those new to the EyeToy, this makes for an excellent
starting point, whether you like the licenses or not. But for those fans, like
myself, who own or have played every title that supports the peripheral,
approach with a fair bit of caution, because while it’s the best compilation
yet, its not all that different than those before it.
