Daytrum - Review of Hoyle Games for PC

Publisher: Sierra, www.sierra.com

Ages: seven and up.

Parental Advisory: None

Do most of us want to play traditional board games on our computers? I ask this question every year when Sierra inevitably releases its new version of Hoyle games. The latest installment of Sierra's Hoyle games for 2003, the company's computerized classic board, card, and other games, are excellent-the best yet-but they're still a lot like prior versions.

In its latest version, Hoyle Board Games offers computerized versions of Backgammon, Battling Ships ("Battleship" without the license), Bump ‘em, Checkers, Chess, Chinese Checkers, Dominoes, DoubleCross, Gravity Tiles, Mahjong Tiles, Mancala, Master Match, Pachisi, Reversi, Rummy Squares, Wordox, Word Yacht, and Yacht ("Yatzee," again without the license). It's a comprehensive and entertaining mix of games that lets you may play against computer opponents, or against humans.

If you're going to go at it alone, the game offers ten computer-controlled opponents that challenge you and offer semi-social conversation and remarks-a hallmark of the Hoyle series. There's also a "Facemaker" that lets you create your own characters.

I've always found these features to secondary. If I'm going to play a computerized board game, I simply want competition, and don't want to interact with wise-cracking, computer controlled opponents (you may feel differently about this and find that the computer characters add to the game). The game also lets you select various playing environments and musical options, which I also find to be rather useless-I always turn the music off.

The game lets up to four people play against each other. But while this feature works, isn't it better to gather around a table and play a real board game with friends? After all, it's far easier to face each other and socialize-an important aspect of playing board games. You can also choose to play online against others, through the game's internet play, which can be fun. The graphics are excellent, and Sierra continues to do a great job of creating a lush, attractive game environment.

If you like computerized board and other games, Sierra also offers: Hoyle Puzzle Games, Hoyle Card Games, and Hoyle Casino. All offer similar features that let you play the computer or other people, create your own characters, and compete across the internet.

Hoyle Puzzle Games offers anagrams, crosswords, The Incredible Machine, Mahjong, and more. The inclusion of "The Incredible Machine," one of the best puzzle activities ever, makes this one worth the price of admission. Hoyle Card Games features Bridge, Canasta, Crazy Eights, Old Maid, Solitaire, Spades, Hearts, and more. Meanwhile, Hoyle Casino offers some 14 games that include Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker, Craps, Keno, Slots, and others. All of the Hoyle titles are first rate games that offer lots of activities.

In the end, those who have never experienced a computer board, card, puzzle, or other game may find lots to like in the Hoyle series. On the other hand, those who are tired of the genre will probably want to pass. There just isn't enough in these latest versions that are worth upgrading to.

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