"BRIGHT AND COLOURFUL...IDEAL FOR CHILDREN" (Theme Park World (PS2))

Name: ps2update

Hello doyoo user, You have to be logged in to use these functions... Login or register Close window

Send message to member

Product:	Theme Park World (PS2)
Date:	01/02/02 (96 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: see text

Disadvantages: see text

Theme Park World is brought to you by EA and Bullfrog, both companies have had successful titles such as the original Theme Park, and the EA Sports Series. Theme Park World is the third instalment in the "theme" series following on from Theme Park and Theme Hospital. Theme Park World is currently available for both the PC and the PSONE but as expected the PS2 version features superior graphics than either version.

GRAPHICS
It is fair to say that when it comes to graphics the team behind TPW have opted for bright coloured cartoon-like images. Every Theme Park you visit is splashed in colour including the dull Halloween Park. The gamer is treated to an aerial view of the park or once they have completed the park (or when in the process) they can wander around passing other visitors in the park in a first person mode. The characters that you pass are nothing special at all - in fact they are rather ugly, blocky characters. Although it would be fair to say that the graphics are a huge step forward from the PSONE version one can't help but think how much better the game would look with smooth graphics. The rides, shops, and accessories are al displayed in 3D, but it is very basic 3D. Displayed in the corner of the gamers screen are four buttons - there function is to tell you what the cross, square, circle, and triangle button does so you will never be lost when playing the game. Although the graphics aren't revolutionary they are bright and colourful ideal for children - let's face it TPW is a children's game.
12/20

SOUND

TPW provides the usual clicks and sound effects expected in a theme park game. Background music is minimal, when you do hear it the music is very typical of what you would expect to hear at a typical Theme Park or funfair. The sounds are atmospheric; you hear the rollercoaster chugging along on the tracks, the screams of children as they experience the thrills of rides, and the general chit-c
hatter in the background (no surprises here then). Unfortunately ignoring the rollercoaster chugging nothing stands out as being particularly special sound wise.
13/20

GAMEPLAY
The concept of TPW is simple. The gamer starts with $30,000, an expansive plot of land, and an annoying tutor to guide the gamer throughout the course of the game. You must transform your empty plot of land into a state of the art theme park. General aims in the game are; earn money, win awards, keep your park in business, and keep you visitors happy. The main is to receive gold tickets, the more gold tickets you get the more theme parks you unlock (think Tony Hawks, collect tapes - open skate parks etc).
Each park has a different theme, and over the top title such as "Halloween World: Realm Of Terror". The main difference between each park is the theme, aside from differently themed rides each park is practically identical - it is not possible to pick a park and say "that is unique" because the aims and features from level to level don't vary much.
There is a lot to do in TPW tactically to stay in business, and if you are short of cash (which you will be at some stage) then you can take out a loan that will undoubtedly bring you into the cycle of debt. To ensure business is good using tactics you can alter various things; the entrance fee, the rides, the shops, the sideshows, the fat in burgers, the salt on the fries, and other tiny little details including the hiring and firing of your staff that you will get to know and love.
If you like the concept of building a theme park then it is well worth a look at this title, but when you have titles such as Silent Hill 2, and Metal Gear Solid 2 on the horizon you have to wonder if a game that lets you alter how much ice is put in coke is really for you?
16/25

LIFESPAN
With a selection of parks and various rides in theory Theme Park World should last you for a couple of days - h
owever with TPW it is more of a question of how quickly can I complete this and see the ending of this tedious repetitive game. If you are a small child (which you probably are not) then this will keep you going for hours, you will try to make your rollercoaster better than your mates, and you will be determined to build the most elaborate theme park ever (regardless of any sort of budget or finance), however if you are not a small child (most likely) then this game will bore you after a while - sure the idea of building a theme park will appeal but trust me the novelty will wear off after a few hours or days. Theme Park World doesn't last a great amount of time but is not one of the shortest of games either.
13/25

ORIGINALITY

When Theme Park first came around it was an original concept, the only real difference between TPW and the original is the graphics are in 3D. It has to be said that there are not too many games like TPW even today - but if you have played the original don't expect a massive change.
6/10

OVERALL

This is a game that you should only buy if the genre really appeals to you, if not then you shouldn't really look at it twice. If a small child who is PS2 inept wants a game to bring them into the gaming world then this is the game - it is user friendly and self-explanatory providing the child will listen. Let me just emphasise who this game is for one last time - CHILDREN!





60%

Summary: