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Kinect Sports Rivals review – going through the motions Kinect Sports Rivals review – going through the motions
(5 months later)
The image has become an archetype of modern video-game marketing. A grinning, pan-generational family, arms flailing as they enjoy the latest motion-control game in their large, well-lit living space. It’s an easy cliche to notice, but back when Wii Sports enchanted the masses with its tennis-themed tech-demo dressed as a game, Nintendo's promo shot wasn’t so far from the reality. Wii Tennis delivered, and ever since, every new motion-control system has debuted with a sports minigame compilation conceived to prove its worth.The image has become an archetype of modern video-game marketing. A grinning, pan-generational family, arms flailing as they enjoy the latest motion-control game in their large, well-lit living space. It’s an easy cliche to notice, but back when Wii Sports enchanted the masses with its tennis-themed tech-demo dressed as a game, Nintendo's promo shot wasn’t so far from the reality. Wii Tennis delivered, and ever since, every new motion-control system has debuted with a sports minigame compilation conceived to prove its worth.
And so we come to Kinect Sports Rivals, jogging off the start line four months after the launch of Xbox One and its inescapably bundled Kinect 2.0, but ready and willing to help make the case for motion control. And so we come to Kinect Sports Rivals, jogging off the start line four months after the launch of Xbox One and its inescapably bundled Kinect 2.0, but ready and willing to help make the case for motion control.
Rare brillianceRare brilliance
Things start well for developer Rare. The first time Kinect Sports Rivals comes to life, it demands that new players make a submissive stoop towards their TV. A few minutes later, Kinect 2.0 has scanned a range of physical details and pasted them together into an impressive caricature. Skin tone, hairstyle, glasses, build, height and more are all captured, without any traditional player inputs. Not a single choice or button press is required for Rivals’ first conjuring trick. With that opener, Kinect 2.0 quickly establishes itself as far superior to its Xbox 360 forbearer.Things start well for developer Rare. The first time Kinect Sports Rivals comes to life, it demands that new players make a submissive stoop towards their TV. A few minutes later, Kinect 2.0 has scanned a range of physical details and pasted them together into an impressive caricature. Skin tone, hairstyle, glasses, build, height and more are all captured, without any traditional player inputs. Not a single choice or button press is required for Rivals’ first conjuring trick. With that opener, Kinect 2.0 quickly establishes itself as far superior to its Xbox 360 forbearer.
After the game has introduced its island setting, and a colour palette and an exuberantly sunny atmosphere taken straight from the monitors of 90s arcade games, it is time to straddle an imaginary jetski and race.After the game has introduced its island setting, and a colour palette and an exuberantly sunny atmosphere taken straight from the monitors of 90s arcade games, it is time to straddle an imaginary jetski and race.
It’s an ungainly mime, legs akimbo and hands grasping invisible handle bars, but as soon as you cut through the waves, it’s easy to forget posture. Called "wake racing" throughout Kinect Sports Rivals, jostling in the swell and pulling stunts is both enjoyable and responsive. Leaning while turning the imagined handlebars works well to simulate steering, and opening and closing a fist to replicate throttle control feels like a thing of magic. Even if you don’t have a vast, stark and brightly lit living room, the jetski responds. It’s certainly a thing of novelty that admittedly pales in comparison to the best racing games, but it is well crafted and entertaining nonetheless.It’s an ungainly mime, legs akimbo and hands grasping invisible handle bars, but as soon as you cut through the waves, it’s easy to forget posture. Called "wake racing" throughout Kinect Sports Rivals, jostling in the swell and pulling stunts is both enjoyable and responsive. Leaning while turning the imagined handlebars works well to simulate steering, and opening and closing a fist to replicate throttle control feels like a thing of magic. Even if you don’t have a vast, stark and brightly lit living room, the jetski responds. It’s certainly a thing of novelty that admittedly pales in comparison to the best racing games, but it is well crafted and entertaining nonetheless.
Rising problemsRising problems
Game, set and twitchGame, set and twitch
Rivals also includes those motion control stalwarts, tennis and bowling. Each delivers a straightforward interpretation of their respective sports, but as far as control is concerned, again they are simply inconsistent.Rivals also includes those motion control stalwarts, tennis and bowling. Each delivers a straightforward interpretation of their respective sports, but as far as control is concerned, again they are simply inconsistent.
The interface problems are a disappointment, as each individual game notionally has much going for it. While tennis and bowling are pedestrian in structure, throughout there are enough ideas and novelties to keep things appealing. Visually, Kinect Sports Rivals is a polished beast, while its audio clout delivers a nostalgic echo from arcades of the past. There’s also a reasonable spread of game modes to engender variety.The interface problems are a disappointment, as each individual game notionally has much going for it. While tennis and bowling are pedestrian in structure, throughout there are enough ideas and novelties to keep things appealing. Visually, Kinect Sports Rivals is a polished beast, while its audio clout delivers a nostalgic echo from arcades of the past. There’s also a reasonable spread of game modes to engender variety.
But in a motion control game it is simple; control is paramount. When Kinect 2.0 behaves, Rare’s creation can be plenty of fun, especially in a social setting. But its lack of consistency breeds a sense of distrust in players, and with that the fun fades. It seems that flawless hands-free motion control applicable to a variety of living room environments continues to remain just out of our reach.But in a motion control game it is simple; control is paramount. When Kinect 2.0 behaves, Rare’s creation can be plenty of fun, especially in a social setting. But its lack of consistency breeds a sense of distrust in players, and with that the fun fades. It seems that flawless hands-free motion control applicable to a variety of living room environments continues to remain just out of our reach.
• Xbox One: Kinect will be different this time, says Rare• Xbox One: hands-on with the new controller and Kinect• Xbox One: USS Enterprise or HAL?• Xbox One: Kinect will be different this time, says Rare• Xbox One: hands-on with the new controller and Kinect• Xbox One: USS Enterprise or HAL?