The Most Unexpected Experience
What I got, instead, was one of the most addictive interactive pieces of entertainment I've ever experienced. The TV show may well be designed for children, but the game is designed for gamers. Many, no doubt, will not buy it because the game looks like a kid's game --- and that is unfortunate because few games will draw you in like this.
The game, in a nutshell, is a completely blank slate. You can do almost anything you want. You can make a lot of money learning how to properly grow plants or you can make money by attracting pinata. There is no "right" way to pursue the ultimate development of your garden. You are armed solely with a shovel, watering can, and a cast of supporting characters and your imagination.
The difficulty in the game has a definite upward trajectory that manages to avoid making MASSIVE increases in difficulty. Later pinata species are brutally difficult to attract and learning how to properly grow trees to their maximum benefit takes time and patience. Every pinata has their preferences and the juggling act of keeping everybody's preferences is a definite challenge, Some pinata love water while others prefer tall grass. Some species simply hate one another and will fight no matter what.
Honestly, the depth is mind-boggling.
The visuals are perfect for the game. You are raising wild pinata and the graphics are beautifully bright and colorful. The sound also does its job extremely well --- you know quickly when an evil ("sour") pinata is causing problems in your garden.
The only downside, outside of the lack of online play (though, with the game, it wouldn't be easy to pull off) is the AI of the pinata. Later species are notoriously difficult to get in your garden and when you actually have met all of the requirements to actually have them live there, they are even more obnoxious about not eating the right things are what have you. The game is tough as is --- piling on top just seems too much.
If you give it a shot, you will LOVE this game. It's nigh impossible to hate it.