An addictive, fun game (Viva Pinata Pocket Paradise)

Member Name: Deb_C

Product:	Viva Pinata Pocket Paradise
Date:	14/10/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: fun to play & just the right amount of challenge

Disadvantages: can be slightly repetitive

I bought Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise for the DS expecting it to be mildly entertaining but perhaps a bit childish, & was pleasantly surprised by how enjoyable it was & how much gameplay I got out of it.

I originally thought it was based on a children's TV programme, however it turns out to be the other way around, & the TV series is based on the original Viva Pinata Xbox game, released in 2006. You don't need to have seen the TV series or be familiar with the earlier game in order to understand or enjoy this version.

You start off with a garden full of rubble & the aim is to develop it so that it attracts different 'pinatas', which are creatures that mostly resemble cartoon animals, for example the Lickatoad looks like a toad, & the Sparrowmint looks like a bird. You can decide how much grass, soil & water to have in the garden, which seeds to plant, & which decorations to buy. Different combinations attract different pinatas, & more options are available for developing the garden as you progress through the game.

When you attract your first pinatas, you grow quite fond of them as you're so pleased they liked your garden. However before long you become more ruthless & realise the older pinatas have to be sold to make room for newer, more valuable ones in your quest to become a Level 10 Gardener & reach 100% completion (your progress in these areas is tracked on the top screen). It becomes surprisingly addictive & I have had many hours of play trying to get every last pinata award in the game & reach 100%. I didn't find the gameplay childish at all, & although it eventually gets slightly repetitive, it doesn't get boring as you still want to reach your goals.

The game is well-suited to the DS as every action involves the stylus (although you can scroll around the screen using the arrow keys). The music & sounds are quite fun & not distracting, & the animation is very cute. The controls are very easy to learn thanks to little tutorials that appear every so often in the game when new skills are needed.

Summary: A fun, addictive game suitable for adults or children