Great game, excellent presentation
353186
Great game. Fun parent child activity. Putting the high quality boats together is a blast. Collecting the cards is fun (but can get expensive). My only complaint is the small print on the directions. There is a very simple version of the game and a more complex very engaging version. The chest that comes with this purchase has a great presentation.
3871979
Such a great game!  I love the game play itself, the expanded rules, and it has  a colorful, visually stunning look as well.
4846805
Fun, very easy to teach, and lots of replayability. An excellent addition to any 2-Player collection.
4072721
Great game!  It's easy to explain, but offers a lot of strategic options.  The game works as a 2 player and up to 5 players without sacrificing on strategy or gameplay.  Some of the pieces seem powerful at first glance but the game is actually very well balanced and appears thoroughly play-tested.
2110562
I just want to rate the game. I loved the game, i was excited to always play it. It has a very interesting plot that even took me a while to grasp. I'm waiting for part 2. The game was not that hard which i appreciated, i don't always like resorting to walkthroughs i was able to figure out most of the game on my own. The graphics are absolutly beautiful, the puzzles are challenging and fun. Really a lot of fun to play.
4847779
I have to admit I was a little put off by the "cuteness" factor of the box cover, but this game is fantastic.  Great components, simple rules and a lot of fun and strategy.  I recommend that you watch a youtube video before you play the first time.  seeing this game played helped us get through the rules without much effort.  We had a fun time with two players.  Looking forward to playing with 3 or 4.
1502235
Excellent quality, great design. This game is an excellent gift!
646184
Excellent game, with great replay value. I'm a longtime gamer, and can also say that the critics' reviews make waaay too much out of the supposed "unplayability" of this game on the older 3ds systems. Yes, the performance isn't totally optimal, but it's not even close to broken and hasn't jeopardized my fun at all. Anyone who's on the fence about this and hasn't already played this game on Wii U should definitely go for it. There's lots of fun to be had here
4210501
One of the best games I've played on the DS, though it does have one huge, glaring fault.  In the end, it turns into a bit of a pixel-hunt.

Overall, the game play - which integrates brainteasers with an engaging plot - is superb.  It's a slow-paced thinking game, great for those of is without the reflexes needed to play a lot of the arcade-style games out there.  It's also more fun than a lot of the 'train your brain' games, while making you think just as much.  I was very sorry to come to the end!

The downside, though, is a big, frustrating one.  They've tried to solve the worst of it by giving you a hint coin and puzzle finding gizmo towards the end, but it's rather hit-and-miss.  Just because it doesn't hit on a still-unfound puzzle in one scene doesn't mean it's not there - you might have to visit the scene half a dozen times or more before you get a hint!  And, of course, it seems to have a preference to finding the hint coins over the puzzles.  Still, I was able to preserve and find all but one of the puzzles.  The last, I have to admit, I looked to a walkthrough to find.  It would be wonderful if you could 'buy' a hint screen towards the end that at least showed you what scene you had hidden puzzles left in!

A lot of the puzzles are a bit repetitive (there are several 'pitcher' and 'chess' and 'sliding puzzle' ones) and some are a little tricky and a pit finicky, but with perseverance (and an occasional hint!) it's easy enough to work your way through the whole game.

I have to admit, if the plot were a book I might call it predictable, but as a backdrop to a game it was fun and worked well.  And guessing the ending is just another part of the fun!

Evidently they're making a sequel, and I will be first in line to buy it.  Highly recommended for all ages!
1974133
Very good game, very snazzy presentation that clearly captures the essence that is Disney as well as a few surprise appearance from some Disney characters that haven't been in the spot light in a while. On PS3 the game looked sharp and honestly didn't feel old especially for a rpg since normally visuals take a backseat for example Disgaea another popular rpg, but then again one shouldn't be surprised of Kingdom Hearts 2.5 Remix visuals since it does hail from the critically acclaimed Square Enix which was previously known as Square Soft whom's more recent titles includes the very well received Hit Man Absolution, and 2013's Tomb Raider, as well as classics such as Chrono Triger, Final Fantasy 10, and Final Fantasy 7. I honestly never feel as if the games outdated in fact it's not till a friend reminds me how old it is that I notice, the textures are just great as well as the animation that brings Sora, Goofy, Donald and the rest to life. Also unlike the previous Compilation which included the first 3 chapters of this amazing saga (Kingdom Hearts 1.5 Remix) gone are those few moments where you'd notice ugly stretched low detailed character models, both the cutscenes models and the in game models match them selves well and blend much better, the only real gripe is probably the fact that not all cutscenes are voiced and this goes for the previous compilation as well but it's understandable given the fact that a lot of Disney voice actors are brought out of retirement and one could only imagine how much that must cost to begin with. Also the game runs at 30 frames per second so sorry to those looking to find it running at 60 few but honestly the game runs so fluidly that there's really no need for that , did have one moment during a later world you visit where I felt there was some slow down during the cutscenes but it might very well  been done for impact. I'm not a old fan of Kh but rather a new fan who just recently got into the franchise when I happened to stumble upon the first compilation for around $20 dollars at the bargain bin of my local GameStop. And decided o give it a shot, since then I've been working my way through them while I want in anticipation for the third and what should be the last chapter to this tell, one last note to understand what is happening within the tales told in this compilation it's highly recommended you get the first, even with the fact I had played the other games I found the story quiet confusing at times.
3893073
I really don't like Zombies.  As a theme, it's not my cup of tea.  But I can't deny this is a great game to play while waiting at a restaurant.  The dice are high quality and the game play is simple yet engaging.  If you're a fan of Farkle or other press your luck style games, then this is a must have for your collection.  For $10, this game is well worth the price.  However I do fault Steve Jackson games for the cheap presentation of the game.  The game was initially released with a cheap cardboard tube dice shaker.  Instead of releasing an updated second edition of the game, the company milks their fans with a separate dice bag and now a separate plastic dice shaker (sold separately!).  Really?

I also purchased both expansions to the game, however I've not played either.  Like the base game, the expansion contain quality dice, but piss for presentation.  The game is all about the dice and the dice are well made, but everything else about the presentation is lack luster.  That seems to be typical of SJ games.

The instructions included in the game are printed and worded terrible.  Better to learn the game from better written sources.  As for the variations of this game, Buck Hunter(?), and Dino Hunter, I would recommend buying the original Zombie Dice.  The original has the best mix of simplicity and strategy.

Overall I give this a 4 star rating.  I want to say it's a solid 5 star for the press your luck dice gamer like myself.  It's a great game and they're quality dice, but the minimal presentation of the game really brings it down in over all review.
2677538
If you're looking for a review of the games themselves, I suggest looking up the original reviews for the games here;&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jak-and-Daxter-The-Precursor-Legacy/dp/B00005R5PO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Jak and Daxter: The Precursor Legacy</a>&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jak-II/dp/B000099T1Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Jak II</a>&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Jak-3/dp/B00020LZAM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Jak 3</a>. I will simply be reviewing the new features for the trilogy package as a whole.

1. HD: The visuals in this game have definitely had a huge overhaul. The frame rate is a smooth 60fps, with hardly any hiccups or slowdowns. The character models look much more detailed and fine tuned. Environments look beautiful as well, and seeing many iconic locations remastered with detailed HD graphics can only be described as nostalgic. I hope they keep up the good work they've done with updating these PS2 classics when they make the Ratchet & Clank Collection.

2. 3D: For many, this won't matter since the number of 3D TVs in households is still a slim number, but for those who do (myself included) it's a feature well worth mentioning. They did a great job making the visuals really "pop". The multiple layers are well placed for dynamic depth perception. It' really been a joy to play the trilogy in 3D so far. You can adjust the depth to your liking, but I found the default setting to be just about right.

3. Trophies: If you're looking for a few challenges while replaying the trilogy, Naughty Dog's got you covered. The trophies range from challenging to pushover, but it's still been fun collecting them, as they have you doing things you might have otherwise never tried. The platinum trophy should give gamers a pretty big challenge to obtain, but with games like these, you'll enjoy every moment of the effort.

Naughty Dog's Jak Trilogy has long been a staple of the platforming world and replaying these games is a stark reminder why. It's a steal for $40, but for any less it's a must own! They just don't make games like these anymore, and they probably never will again, so it's definitely worth picking up a copy and reliving the joys of playing the original trilogy.
2969015
Absolutely gorgeous game. When I'm not playing it, I'm thinking about the next time I get to play it. I never played the original, but this is the first game on my Vita that made me absolutely fall in love. It's more complicated than I was expecting, but the game does a fantastic job of teaching you the mechanics throughout the story instead of just bombarding you with information at the very beginning. The art style is incredible-- I have Dragon's Crown, as well, and I think this game looks so much nicer. The only issue I've noticed are the frame drops, especially on boss levels.
1666946
Physical content wise, this is top of the line stuff. It has amazing art and mini sculpts, all the tokens and tiles are thick, high quality cardboard, and even the treasure and hero cards are decently tough ( although I did chose sleeve all the cards, they fit any standard MTG sleeve size). Everything is pre-assembled and ready to play as soon as the box is opened.

Rule wise, this game can be a bit of a mess to figure out, even if you are an avid gamer. All I can say is read the rule book of whatever mode you are playing, (before playing it, even if you have played version 1 or another mode from this game) and don't be afraid to open it during the game to settle any thing.

My only major problem with the game (even the messy rules can be learned eventually) is that this is very much like a trading card game or the base set of Dungeons and Dragons. Eventually, running the same heroes and monsters will get very boring. The solution is to buy a war-band, a level box, another base game, legends(when it comes out), a single hero/boss/mini-boss, tile set, more creeps, etc.... All of which can be very costly. Plan to invest a good chunk of money into this game if you decide to buy it.
2339416
I'm relatively new to the world of the new generation of boardgames. I recently purchased Ticket to Ride,  and had such a ball that I wanted to see if there were other games out there that could capture my family's imagination in a similar way. While this game will not ever supplant that amazing railroad game, it  has quickly become a go to favorite in the household.

Your first time playing through this game, but it about an hour to get used to the rules and do the initial set up. Queen games, the manufacturer, has an official tutorial video online, and we found that very helpful with our initial play through. Like many games, it can seem complex  at the outset, but this one is remarkably simple. It essentially takes place in two phases: the quarry, and building.  In the quarry phase, you're collecting the wrong materials needed to build a world landmark. Building phase is exactly that: the assembly of the raw materials.

While one can very quickly catch onto the basic functions of the game, there is a sneaky amount of strategy involved in both phases.  After a Playthru or two, you will note in the quarry phase, you will be anticipating which stones are going to gain you the highest point values, and you will try to grab those stones. So will your opponents. Then, if you're paying attention closely,  or can do a bit of card counting so to speak, you can try to manipulate the build phase to your advantage. It can be simple in strategy, or the game can get remarkably complex very quickly  depending on the skill of the players.

 My eight-year-old grasped the concept on the first Playthru, and already plays very competently, albeit a bit randomly. I have yet to beat my 14-year-old.  (Shaking my head.)  It's a game that can be taught to and enjoyed by your friends very quickly as well.

The quality of the game boards, the graphics, and the game pieces are all top-notch.  It feels substantial coming right out of the box.

 "Why only a four star review?", you ask.  The game has a couple of downsides. I anticipate that only having four building plans might get old quicker than I'd like. The game is primed for expansion packs galore, though I don't believe any exist yet. Also, this game would be absolutely impossible for anyone who is colorblind to play. One brilliant  innovation in the aforementioned railroad game is unique symbols that correspond to each color, which allows one who has difficulty distinguishing colors to play competently. This game could so easily have included a minor design detail like this, and it would have completely taken it over the top in quality.

 Overall, I am very pleased with this fun, easy to learn, family friendly game.
3462840
I completed the game a few days ago and instantly felt compelled to play it through again.  My gut reaction was to give it a five-star review but I hesitated, read a few of the negative reviews, grudgingly admitted they made a few good points and convinced myself to give it a four.  This game certainly deserves the praise it has received.

I don't think it can be said enough.  The game is absolutely beautiful to look at!

The story, although a bit slow to start, had me fully engaged and concerned for the characters after 7-8 chapters.  Like a well-made movie the villains are given adequate back story and reasons for their behavior...you just have to wait a bit for it.

Game play is fantastic.  Valkyria chronicles perfectly blends the classic turn-based RPG style with a third person shooter for what I thought was a unique experience.  Each level presents the player with two general options or strategies.  There is usually an obvious "brute force" method of clearing the level and a more "strategic" method.  The brute force method will often take you more turns, drastically lower your score, but provide you with an enjoyable experience.  Blasting away at enemies with your tank is sometimes worth the lower score.  The more strategic method isn't often that strategic. It is a matter of figuring out which particular hoop the designers want you to jump through.  This is usually accomplished by replaying the level once or twice after an untimely death, by luck, or sometimes by design.  "By design" is listed last because it is nearly impossible to predict which hoop the game will ask you to jump through before starting the level.  The pre-game map is mostly uninformative and you just have to figure it out after positioning all your troops.  I could not overlook this flaw and is my main reason for giving the game four stars.

Overall this game was a lot of fun.  The game requires a little patience as you start playing.  If you are expecting Modern Warfare you will probably be disappointed, but I expect most people know by now what they are getting into when they purchase a game like this.  Thus the overwhelming numbers of positive reviews which I think the game deserves.
4705514
I've been in the PS3 world for about a year now, and this is easily one of the better ones I've seen or played so far.  The visuals are absolutely stunning, the gameplay is seamless and fun (although a bit repetitive), and the storyline is intriguing.

After glancing at a REALLY long review on Amazon, I'd say that most of what the guy said is probably true and not worth retelling here.  All that being said though, this is a budget-priced game a couple of years old now that has a lot to offer for the casual gamers, and I'm glad that I gave it a shot - a nice addition to the library.