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| | Gameplay
Sound
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Value
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| | Publisher: GameHouse  Genre: Board & Card | | | Min OS X: 10.3 CPU: G4 RAM: 256 MB Hard Disk: 28 MB Graphics: 1024x768 @ 32-bit |
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Graphics: Glitzy 2D only The graphics in this version of Monopoly are nice as far as they go; unfortunately, that's not terribly far. The game is played either in a window or full-screen at 1024×768 resolution, and it's firmly in 2D with a rigid top-down view of the board. The silver counters are in 3D and animate vivaciously, and other animations are quite attractive and slick. For example, when financial transactions occur, notes of Monopoly money float around the screen, the dice animate as you throw them, dialogues materialise and vanish attractively, and so on; it's all very polished as far as it goes. Perhaps the degree of animation of the counters is a bit irritating after a while (each has its own personality), but there's nothing too intrusive here.But there's certainly nothing remotely cutting edge or demanding here either, and much more ambitious things have been attempted in the past (if not actually pulled off). The last version of Monopoly that I reviewed back in 2001 tried to implement the board in 3D, and allowed it to be viewed from different angles, although the actual implementation was very disappointing. This new version doesn't even make an attempt at 3D, however. Of course, a 3D game board is by no means essential, and could all too easily be implemented in a gimmicky way that detracted from the game rather than adding something useful. But done well, it could be a real asset. Given that it has been done badly before, perhaps the producers of this version were well advised not even to make an attempt. Even so, I was sad to see that this was just another version of Monopoly that doesn't really have anything to commend itself beyond playing the basic game. Sound: On the money The sound in the game is just about right. Actually, the sound complements the graphics very well in terms of doing the job it sets out to do very well without being in any way spectacular or innovative. Pleasant music plays constantly in the background, though you can turn it off if you get tired of it. It's a selection of a few different tracks that loop round endlessly, but it's all pleasant on the ear without being distracting or irritating. It would have been nice to see support for iTunes, allowing players to choose custom playlists if they wished, but that's not an option.Many actions in the game are also represented by their own unique sounds, which are generally helpful, and each of the counters has its own set of noises to add to its personality. These sounds do tend to become a bit irritating, and it's worse for some counters than others. For example, if you're playing with the wheelbarrow, its wheel squeaks noisily at the start of its turn (with an abrasive sound not unlike the braying of a donkey), which is pretty tiresome. The siren of the police van that appears when you land in jail is also rather distressing (though luckily you can click to terminate the animation and sound). Overall, though, the sound in the game works well. Conclusion: Very good as far as it goes If this review has sounded a little negative at times, don't be put off: this is a very nice implementation of Monopoly that works really well as far as it goes. It plays a good game, the graphics are attractive, and it's all very competent. Its inability to remember your choice of rules is a massive pain if that's an issue that matters to you (as it matters to me), but apart from that I have no strong criticisms.My disappointment relates to what isn't here. There have been some spectacular attempts at creating really good implementations of computer Monopoly in the past, and, generally speaking, the less powerful the platform, the more impressive the attempt seems to have been. (As I said on page 1, the Psion 3 version was particularly commendable.) Yet now that desktop computers have become astonishingly powerful, what are we presented with here? A very lacklustre and ordinary bare-bones implementation with 2D graphics and no scope for customisation. Even a basic choice of editions within the same game would be a very welcome addition. The previous Mac implementation from 2001 came with a board editor (it was all but useless, but at least the thought was there). The wonderful Psion version that I keep crowing about came with a built-in choice between a number of boards, including the standard American and London editions. Where's the London edition for the Mac? That's the version I grew up with and hence the version I want to play. Incidentally, American readers shouldn't make the mistake of thinking that the London edition is only of interest to people in the UK. On the contrary, it's the London edition that became well established throughout the world beyond the USA, and was the dominant version globally until more regional variations were produced, so it's probably known to far more people than the American original. So why isn't it available on the Mac? If it does appear (and I hope it does), no doubt it'll be another identical implementation with renamed properties, for a further $19.95... but how much nicer it would have been, and how much better value it would have felt, if this alternative 'original' Monopoly had been offered as a simple user preference within this implementation. Perhaps, when it comes down to it, that's my single biggest gripe with this game. So, don't get me wrong; this is a nice version of Monopoly which does what it claims and plays a good game. But it still feels like a missed opportunity to me. There have been many valiant attempts in the past, but I'm still waiting to see the perfect computer implementation of Monopoly, and this certainly isn't it. Pros • If all you want is a simple, straightforward Mac version of the American edition of Monopoly, this is excellent
• Attractive 2D graphics and slick interface
• Plays a good game with a mixture of up to four human and/or computer players (there must be at least one human!)
• Supports the usual range of rule customisations
• Plays full-screen or in a window
• Pleasant music and entertaining sounds
• Modest system requirementsCons • A thoroughly safe and ordinary implementation; there's nothing remotely innovative or 'interesting' here
• Where's the London edition?
• It doesn't remember your choice of custom rules between games; you must set them up every single time
• It would feel so much better value for money if you could choose which board to play, without having to buy both the standard and Here & Now editions as separate full-price games
• Previous versions have included extras such as a board editor, but there's no scope for any kind of game customisation here, beyond tweaking the basic rules
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