I bought this today based on many of the reviews here. First off, it's just a beatiful game. Every color in the rainbow is represented here. Next, it's got some cool originality to it, and the Xbox 360 desperately needs a few platformers (for that matter, the Xbox 360 could use a mascot or two). I'm a big fan of the early Crash Bandicoot and Spyro The Dragon games (the later ones were horrible for each though). I thought this might be similar, but I was charmed to find it more like a world you create. No surprise there, since the "digi-pet" phenomenon is no stranger to the gaming industry. So I put in my first 2.5 hours waiting to find out what other reviewers were claiming to be so "adult" about it. The fact is, it gets pretty boring after a while. After 2.5 hours I was still confined within the 4 field lines looking out at a vast scenery I couldn't access. It gets boring watering plants and such, and cycling through day and night sequences. I keep waiting for something significant to happen, but all I get is an occasional "good job!" message from the MC. I got "whirlms" mating left and right, and every time I mate them, I have to perform the same over-simplified mini game.
Personally, I still think this game is strictly for kids, and even kids probably will be bored with it after about an hour or two, because there doesn't seem to be any real point to it. I also think many of these Xbox 360 game reviews are from people who emphasise the graphics end of gaming over substance. Most of the game graphics are awe inspiring, especially lately, but games like this one leave me wanting a bit more.
I suppose I might be knocking the game a little too hard. It's impressive enough to rent or buy used at half price, but this just isn't worth $50 to me.
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