1st Impressions: Scene-It? offers a unique trivia game experience that is a blast for movie buffs everywhere!
The Bad: If you don't have four players, you have to wait for time to expire for every question, graphics aren't the best, no online multiplayer.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It seems like in 2007, Microsoft is doing it's best to try to give the 360 some more family friendly options so that the system won't only be known for ultra violent shooters and action games for mature audiences. One such a game is Scene-It? Lights, Camera Action, which is based on the popular DVD board game series. The consept of Scene-It? is very simple: you answer questions about movies in a variety of different ways. The original edition used a board game and a DVD, but the 360 version uses a game disc and four buzzer controllers, which come with Scene-It?
The gameplay is slightly different from the board game. It's set up more like a game show, allowing players to use their controllers to answer questions, or to buzz in before other players do. This is extremely enjoyable to game show affectionados, especially when you are playing with some competitive or cocky friends. You collect points by answering questions correctly. In a long game, you loose points for incorrect answers after round 1, so you must be careful and really know the answer if you want to succeed. The variety of questions is pretty good. You can have anything from finding a movie based on a description, or by picking out what prop is missing from an image of a movie. The game has both recient and golden oldies questions, so movie buffs from every era can enjoy the insanity of the game. There is also an announcer, who often comments about who is doing well, and who needs to hit the cutting room floor. Most of his comments are pretty funny and add a lot to the gameplay.
After the majority of the game is up, you go into The Final Cut round, which can change the entire outcome of a game. You are given a film clip and have to answer several questions about this clip. There is no point penalty for incorrect answers, but you build up a multiplyer for each question you get right in a row. If you can get a 10x multiplyer at the end of the round, the game might have turned in your favor in the end. It's a very intense, you extremely enjoyable trivia game that is a blast with four players.
There are several game modes: Short Game, Long Game and Party Mode. Short game is a much shorter version of the traditional game. For the board game, you simply shrink the board for a short game, but for the 360 version, you just don't have as many rounds or questions to answer. Long Game is the traditional way to play Scene-It? It might take an hour or two, but it's a blast none the less. Party Mode is also a mode in Scene-It? that looks promising.
I do have a few gripes with it, though. First, if you don't have four friends who often come over to play with you, it's rather pointless. The game still plays like you have four players, but you have to wait for time to expire for each question because there is no fourth player. This was an unfortunate development desision that should not have made it into the final game. Second, there isn't any online functionality at all. There might be some downloadable expansions or disc expansions in the future, but no online play is supported in this version. Third is that the graphics are cartoony, but kinda lame. Granted, you aren't expecting the visuals for a game like Scene-It? to be spectacular, but they could have put a bit more effort into the visuals of this supposively next gen game.
Overall, Scene-It? Lights, Camera, Action is a very enjoyable trivia and party game that will hopefully spark more games of this genre and style to appear on the 360. It's an excellent start to a great consept.
Gameplay: Movie buffs rejoice, this trivia game is for you with tons of multiplayer options.
Graphics: Nothing stellar, but you weren't expecting that, were you?
Sound: Humerous announcer and excellent sound quality for the movie clips.
Value: You get the game and four conrollers for $60, which isn't a bad value.
Final Thoughts: Haven't you "scene" this before?