Cool new game review from www.teamxbox.com
I don’t mind saying that while we’re seeing some innovative and entertaining XBLA games, it’s also great to see such releases as Sierra’s Gin Rummy. The card game may be old, but it’s far from obsolete, providing a perfect counter from the faster-paced, high-concentrate titles. And at 400 Microsoft Points (or about $5), it’s far from a big hit on the wallet even if you don’t play it that often.
If you aren’t familiar with the card game, Gin Rummy has you trying to make “melds” in the form of runs (of consecutive same-suited cards) and sets (cards with the same value) of at least three cards each before your opponent. Going out with “deadwood” (unmatched cards) adding up to less than 10 and a total less than your opponent is good, but completely matching up all the cards in your hand and going out gives you “gin” and a big point bonus. Another benefit of an XBLA game, though, is you don’t have to know how to play the game like an expert right off the bat, because the help screens give you a good background on the structure. This version of Gin Rummy also provides a semi-interactive tutorial that leads you through the basics.
It also offers a selection of gameplay modes. In addition to the “classic” game—not surprisingly called Classic Gin Rummy here—there are variations including 3-Hand, Hollywood, Oklahoma and Speed (a faster version of Classic). A Custom Gin Rummy mode enables you to pick a rule set, and vary the points needed to complete each game and the whole match.
Online multiplayer provides action for up to four players depending on the mode selected. Here also there are variations in the settings that the host can define before the game begins, including a timer for each play. Of course, Xbox Live gameplay can be ranked or unranked, depending on how competitive the participants want to be. Also, to add to the “connection” between the players, Gin Rummy supports the Xbox Live Vision camera, which changes out the player’s Gamer Picture with streamed video from the camera.
The music backing the card game is easy on the ears, though (like any game of this kind) can soon be repetitive. It’s also selectable before the match starts, with styles ranging from a salsa-ish style to a bouncy jazz structure.
The game does have a few foibles. The graphics are clean, but certainly no frills—and the choice of card coloring might throw some traditionalists. While you can pick the card and game “skin,” it seems that every card setting other than “default” gives you non-traditional suit colors, which can be a bit more work to visually track. Sierra also promises to release additional skin sets as downloadables after the game’s release, and there’s one set that was offered when the game went live that costs only 100 Microsoft Points (or about $1.25).