Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (DC) (Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (DC))

Member Name: thole09

Product:	Who Wants to be a Millionaire? (DC)
Date:	07/10/09 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Audio

Disadvantages: Simple graphics

"Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" is a video game which was released for the Sega Dreamcast in 2000 by Eidos Interactive. It is a quiz game based on the popular television programme of the same name. In the European marketplace, the game received an age guidance rating which deemed the game suitable for ages three and above.

Millionaire put the player in the "hot seat" with voice overs from Chris Tarrant accompanying his or her play. The rules of the game keep with what is seen on televison. Players will answer a series of 15 multiple choices questions with each ascending in difficulty as the game progresses. When stumbled, players may use up to three different "life lines" to attempt to find a solution to the question; 50/50, phone a friend and poll the audience.

Gameplay of this title is very simple. Questions are presented to the player on a monitor similar to what an actual contestant in the hot seat would be gazing into. From there, the player may select an answer from A-D or select a life line for use by using the directional arrows and A button. Should a player guess correctly then he or she will be presented the next question in sequence. If a player is wrong in their guess, however, then they will be shown a cheque with their winnings and the game will be over. It is worth noting that the pool of questions to this quiz game is small. There were several occasions where I found myself answering questions from rounds just passed and this considerably lowered the difficulty of the game.

The graphics of this title are extremely minimalistic. For brief moments, the camera will pan away from the contestant's question screen and tour the three dimensional interior of the programme's studio but this view will immediately refocus on the screen for further play. It is also noteworthy that there are no members in the audience; the game takes place in an empty studio. This is not particularly damaging to the gameplay experience but it does beg the question as to how players receive information when using the "poll the audience" life line. The text panels keep with the standard colours seen on the show having white text on black oblong shapes. The empty parts of the screen show the Millionaire sunburst image in blue and purple hues. The audio is a drawing point for me in this game. Chris Tarrant's constant cues are frequently different and well recorded. I experienced no issue hearing his prompts and jokes throughout playing.

Overall, "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?" is likely a title which will appeal to quiz game fans only. It is very simplistic in its implementation and does not boast a wide range of technical prowess. The title comes across as something which could pass on earlier video games consoles. I would be hesitant about recommending this game to prospective buyers.

Summary: Thumbs in the middle