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Boom Blox (Wii)
by Flukepiestalker
This is a fun game for single player - you have to pull, poke, or bash your way through several 'marked' levels of building blocks (cunningly set out in such a way as to make each challenge exactly that - a challenge!).
You adjust the screen angle as if it were you hand, and from that point you either throw a ball (some ... balls are heavier than others, such as a bowling ball compared to a baseball, and create more/less damage), fire a laser or simply push.pull a block out (you have to be swift and steady, otherwise your whole structure may come crashing down). The gameplay is varied though as other levels include flicking scoring blocks into certain 'zones' and destroying structures without damaging/causing small sheep to fall from the flat stone at the top. You also get exploding blocks and transparent blocks. As I say, loads of variety. If you get really bored you can always try throwing your ball at the crowd of sheep surrounding your structure. I've found the resultant 'baaaa' is enough to make you forget your rage and concentrate on the actual task in hand again!
The single player game has over sixty levels in the 'explore' mode - each time you complete a level (or challenge) it rewards you with either a new level or a new item to use in the 'create' mode - though we still haven't gotten around to actually creating our own levels, because the standard ones are so addictive. You complete a level in a bronze, silver or gold type way, meaning the perfectionist always has another challenge.
The multiplayer mode is where this game really comes into it's element though. With up to four players either competing as teams or as individuals. Some of the more 'war-y' type levels involve chucking balls at each other from behind battlements, which is really great fun (unless you lose).
We picked the game up second hand for about £10 - money well spent!
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EA Sports Active 2 (Wii)
by moggym
This is a fitness game to really get your heart pumping and still have fun.
There is a box full of goodies that come with this evn a full set of batterys to get you started, There is the game disc and instruction booklet as you would expect, also in the box is a total body tracking system this contains one leg and one arm ... elasticated strap the arm one is also a heart monitor this fits on to the right forearm the leg motion monitor fits onto the upper left leg this will not stay in place and has to be constantly adjusted, they are held on with a velcro strip and are easy to get off and on, these will need to be synchronised with your Wii, they are not simply connected as the other Wii controlers these need a wireless usb dongle luckily this is also in the box, it only takes about 10 seconds to get connected, and lastly a resistance band with attachable handles the band is very flexable but can be adjusted to make them shorter for better resistance.
Getting started for the first time is a bit of a long process, first you need to enter your sex, age, height(in cm) handedness and your weight this can be imputed yourself or by using the Wii board. Once that is done you have to design your person that will represent you on screen clicking random will get you through this quicker, Input user name there can be upto individual 5 user profiles, then there is an option of using a Wii board or not, click through a few more screens then theres a video this can be skipped, finally this is you onto the main start menu.
On screen there are 5 main options Fitness program this is a guided fitness program that gives you a choice of doing a nine week program, this is aimed at overall fitness and getting the heart pumping or cardio kick start this is a three week program, both choices can be done as easy, medium or hard, the bad bit hear is that it is a 4 workout week I would prefer to only do three this is not an option, missed workouts will count towards finishing the programs so reaching the goal set can be done with only doing one workout not so good. Journal this is a good way to track all your activities, it willl track your workouts nutrition, goals, and calories, Workout groups this is an online feature that allows you to join up with others dont really see the point, My workouts is were you can create your own workouts or choose a trainer generated one there is also 18 preset workouts to choose from and learn about this is just information about the game and how things are done.
Workout screens are set in a few different areas with the workout time at the top left, calories burnt at the top right, below this is your BPM and what zone your heart is pumping. The personal trainer will show you how to do the exercise then simply copy, to start there is warms then the work out fallowed by the cool down, once finished you will get your stats for the workout showing calories, heart rate charts.
There are loads of exercises in this game too many to mention, from the basic squats and running, to the more fun mountian biking, shooting basketball hoops and football training, there is a workout on this to suit most users with the exception of weight lifters.
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