Kinect Sports: Season 2

Kinect Sports: Season 2 is the sequel to Kinect's most successful game, Kinect Sports-- at least in my opinion. Kinect Sports 2 kintinues the fun from the first one with all new sports to play and revamped menu's to get into a game much quicker. Once again, it's outstanding family fun with a bit of lagginess that should not be scrutinized. Every Kinect game is going to have lag... deal with it. As they improve the technology, I'd imagine we'd see less and less lag.

For this review, I'm going to take you through every game mode as I play each one. I've got my running shoes and workout clothes on and I'm ready to start sweating-- which is probably a turn off to most gamers already, "Why do I want to sweat? Pass me the chips and Mountain Dew." If that's the case, you might as well hit your back button ya chubby loafer.

You can skip the GAME PLAY sections of my review as that will be write-ups of each game I played and there will be very little to learn there.

I'm also going to include all of the DLC that is presently out because I'm not 100% sure what came with the game and what is DLC. Plus, I think the DLC is free.

The six sports are Football, Baseball, Darts, Golf, Skiing, and Tennis. You can choose to play one of those, or chose Challenge Mode, or Quick Play. More on those other modes later.


Football (Single Player Match, Multiplayer Match, Xbox Live Match)
Football is offense only and is passing only. When the opponent is on defense, you just sit there and watch (multiplayer) or see drive highlights (CPU.) As quarterback, you crouch to get ready, then either stand-up or say "Ready, hike". You have three receivers with indicators over their head displaying whether they are open or not. Grey is covered (you will most likely not complete a pass to them) and green is open. You make a throwing motion either left, center, or right, and once the receiver catches it, you run in place.

You have four downs to get a touchdown, but it's not hard unless time is short. The quarters are 5 minutes and it goes fast. There is time for three drives per quarter, which includes the defense.

Another disappointment is you cannot do anything to avoid tackles except run hard, but run as hard as you want, and Usain Bolt will still catch you from behind. I find it hard to believe that there's an achievement for returning a kick for a touchdown.

You can also kick field goals by moving left or right to line up and then kicking. It's relatively easy to do.

I feel they really could have done more here. I'm very much looking forward to seeing what Madden will do with Kinect.

GAME PLAY
In single-player games, you can choose the strength of your opponent, rookie, pro, or champion. Having unlocked Champion, I chose that. I got the kickoff, returned it 30 yards, and then let the Coach call the plays. He picked two all-streaks on the first two plays and I was sacked on each-- first time that happened to me. On third down, I missed the window that a single receiver was open and threw incomplete. It was 4th and goal from my own 20, so I punted for the first time ever, and there is no return.

Charlotte's drive review came up and she scored on second down, extra points aren't kicked. On my next drive, I was hit as I threw an incompletion. After a sack, I completed two passes and came top 15 yards short of a TD.

Charlotte then had two incomplete passes, but then drove the ball down to the 7 before turning it over on downs. I made it to the 50 on first down, threw incomplete, got down to the 25, and on 4th down I threw a TD to tie it up with 1:18 to got in the half. Charlotte was not able to score on her next possession.

After the half, I got the ball first (again). I completed my first three passes and was stopped at the one. That was my fault because I didn't think the receiver was open, so I wasn't prepared to run after he caught it. Coach decided to go for it, and we scored a TD to take the lead, 14-7. Charlotte completed two passes, missed the third, and missed a field goal.

I got the ball at my own 20 and got sacked because the receivers never got open. This was followed by two incomplete passes-- the first of which was a mis-throw. Hint: Do not aim at the receiver, aim far right or left. I aimed at my right receiver and it threw the ball to the center receiver who was not open. I punted and we were into the 4th quarter.

Charlotte promptly scored to tie the game. I completed my first past and got to her 25. Then I got sacked followed by an incomplete pass that the Kinect misread and threw it to the wrong receiver. It's 4th and goal from the 32 with 1:30 to play. I attempt a field goal and the ball stays where it is. I kick again and it goes to maybe the 10 yard line. Screwed...

Charlotte goes up 21-14 leaving me 13 seconds left. Screwed. I return the kickoff 8 yards. Three seconds left and I complete a pass down to her 45... game over. Screwed.

51 calories burned.

Football: Crazy Kicker (1-4 players)
In Crazy Kicker, you basically have to kick field goals from all over the field from different angles and varying wind conditions. You are allowed 5 misses. You also need to be fast, as you score 3 points for a quick FG, but if you delay, that drops to 2 points and then 1. At the end of each round, you get a chance to make a FG from the length of the field. If you make it, you get an extra ball that allows you to have an additional miss before your turn is over. If you miss it, it counts as a miss and you lose a ball.

I played and did my best ever with 55 points.

14 calories burned (65 overall)


Baseball (Single Player Match, Multiplayer Match, Xbox Live Match)
In baseball, you get pitch, bat, and field over the course of two innings. Batting does involve some lag, so you do need to swing a little early. If it's a ground ball single, you have to run in place to beat the throw-- even if the left fielder gets the ball.

As a pitcher, you can throw fast or slow, or throw across your body for a curveball. In the field, you have to move left or right and get your hand to the location where the ball will be going. Be careful though, if you're not lined top, the ball can bounce off your glove, but you'll have another shot at catching it.

There isn't any smart-base running nor is there any throwing of the ball to a base. In fact, the fields will always throw it to first and none of the runners advance on any kind of out. Bases loaded, no outs, and the batter hits a grounder and is thrown out at first-- no runs score.

GAME PLAY
Against a Pro opponent, I hit two doubles, a few singles, and a grand slam. I was beat to first base twice from an outfield hit and also hit a fly ball. I lead 6-0 after half an inning.

I strike the first batter out, give up a triple, a bunt, and a home run. I follow that up fly ball to right and a come backer to the pitcher. I lead 6-3 after one inning.

I get a triple, double, single, single, double, fly ball out, double, fly ball out, triple, triple, double, and a come backer to the pitcher. I gave up a few triples and doubles because I held my and up to get the ball back from the catcher and when I let it down, it pitched a slow curveball. I lead 14-3 after 1 1/2.

I gave up a couple runs in the bottom of the second and win 14-6.

58 calories burned (123 overall)

Baseball: Home Run Hero (1-4 players)
This game is similar to a home run derby, but you get points for the total feet you hit the ball on every pitch, regardless of whether you hit a home run or not. You get ten balls and an extra for every home run hit.

I suck at this. I have 5 strikes and a single home run for very minimal points.

9 calories burned (132 overall)

Baseball: Frantic Fielder (1-4 players)
In this game, ball after ball is hit to you over several rounds. You are allowed 3 misses, but if you make an entire round without a miss, you get an extra chance. The balls come pretty fast and if you don't line it up, the pop out of your glove and you have to catch it again while other balls are on the way. Also, you need to avoid touching any bombs.

I did pretty poorly this time (31 points), although I made it through two rounds and had an extra chance. The third round was the killer, but I never saw any bombs.

3 calories burned (135 overall)

Darts (Single Player Match, Multiplayer Match, Xbox Live Match)
I believe the game is called 501 because you have to score EXACTLY 501 points. Match is removed from the game and the game shows you the best place to throw. I think this is a common darts game, so I won't bother to explain it. The game is the first to win two of three rounds.

To throw, you line up your shot, pull back (which locks your target), and then throw. I don't quite get the mechanics of this because locking it does not promise you'll hit the target. I usually don't pull back and just throw it forward when I feel lined up.

What's kind of neat is that you can move left or right to change your angle and get around some darts all jammed up and blocking the surface. You can also wave your hands while the CPU is going and they get annoyed and turn around and look at you.

GAME PLAY
I played a Pro opponent and won the first round easily. I managed to throw 180 points, the maximum, on one of my turns.

I won the second round as well, which was very tight.

33 calories burned (168 overall)

Darts: Pop Darts (1-4 players)
In Pop Darts, there is a large wheel with a character on it (a carrot or something). You have to pop the balloon which then sets up another wheel. Eventually there are multiple balloons and the wheel starts spinning. Hitting the character loses time, but clearing three balloons adds time.

I score 14 points which was my best. It's not easy getting lined up...

5 calories burned (173 overall)

Darts: Smart Shot (1-4 players)
Basically, a calculator shows you an equation and you have to hit the answer on the dartboard. It's timed and made tricky by not knowing where the numbers are... unless you know the layout of a standard dartboard. You are given 20 questions and your score is how fast you answer.

My time was about 1:26

9 calories burned (182 overall)

Golf: (Single Player Match, Multiplayer Match, Xbox Live Match)
Um, it’s golf dummy. Get the ball in the whole in as few strokes as possible. Some of the less-obvious commands to use are to raise your hand to your brow to view they layout of the course, or say “Change Club” to see a list of clubs and then just say the club. You can also crouch on the green to get a view of the green, but that’s pretty useless I feel.

GAME PLAY
You have the option of playing the front 9, a 3 hole match, or a single hole match. I chose three hole match up because I’m on day two of writing this over-review™.

I played on Rookie setting since I have not played the computer yet and that was my only choice. I hit par on each hole and one the event by three strokes over the other three golfers.

17 calories burned (197 overall)

Golf: Ocean Drive (1-4 Players)
The object here is to drive the ball onto an island divided into point value sections from three to one. You have ten balls, but if you hit in in the three-point section, you get an extra ball. As the game progresses, you have to deal with wind as well.

It doesn’t appear that you can over or under hit the ball and miss the island. You may be able to miss left or right though.

I scored 36 on my try, which was pretty decent. I could do better knowing that I couldn’t under hit the ball.

11 calories burned (208 overall)

Golf: Champion Chip (1-4 Players)
You’re on the golf course now at a chip-able distance from the hole. Once again, there are point zones to try to hit valued from three to 1. If you hit it in the hole, in addition to getting three points for hitting the three-point zone, you get an extra ball. Again, alter rounds feature wind.

I scored 34 on this game.

10 calories burned (218 overall)

Skiing: (Single Player Match, Multiplayer Match, Xbox Live Match)
Skiing is downhill slalom skiing. Ski through the flags, get air on the jumps, and beat your opponent down the hill. Best combined score after two rounds wins. You have a choice of three slopes: Crystal Canyon, Racers Ridge, and Perilous Pass.

GAME PLAY
I chose Racers Ridge versus a Pro opponent—both new things to me. I missed two gates on my first run and missed a jump which slowed me down. Luciano missed only a single gate and beat me overall by .79 seconds.

In the second race, I didn’t miss a single gate, whereas Luciano did. I beat him by 4+ seconds and won the overall match.

7 calories burned (225 overall)

Skiing: Downhill Dodge (1-4 Players)
In this game, you need to fly downhill, round after round, avoiding walls left and right as well has ducking under and jumping over walls. It’s very similar to Kinect Adventures’ game Reflex Ridge, except you aren’t dodging left and right, you’re leaning left and right.

Major fail by me, I only scored 32 points and went down early in the second round. I tend to lean on one foot which is not the best practice.

3 calories burned (228 overall)

Skiing: Cool Ringings (1-4 Players)
In Cool Ringings, you ski downhill and ring bells with your ski poles. Some are left and right (green), while others are above you and you have to lift your poles (light blue). As you advance into the game, you have to start avoiding the snowmen obstacles on the course. Each one you hit loses you 5 seconds of time.

You’re timed in this game and for every 30 bells you hit, you time on the clock.

I did pretty well getting to the 5^th round and scored 536 points.

7 calories burned (235 overall)

Tennis: (Single Player Match, Multiplayer Match, Xbox Live Match)
Simple game, it’s Tennis. Actually pretty similar to Ping Pong in Kinect Sports, except you’ve been shrunk down and are running around on the table. First to win two rounds.

GAME PLAY
Playing a Rookie opponent, I won the first round 45-0, but lost the second round 45-30 with the computer causing me to swing and miss twice… very ridiculous. Maybe I was too close to the TV… I won the third round 45-0.

22 calories burned (257 overall)

Tennis: Smash Alley (1-4 Players)
In this game, you have to hit the ball into various characters on the court. There’s no next and the court is much more narrow. For each wave to clear, you get extra time. The game is over when you run out of time.

I scored 36 on this one, which was my best to date. I recall having trouble with it the first time I played.

15 calories burned (272 overall)

Tennis: Rapid Return (1-4 Players)
Rapid Return requires you to return balls from two characters at the same time. You can score 1-3 points per return based on how hard you hit it. You are allowed 3 misses, and after returning X balls or scoring X points, you are allowed an extra miss. Sometimes they throw a bomb at you, which you don’t want to get hit by or it ends your game.

I played this one twice, because I tried for an achievement where you hit the line judge. I missed.

I scored 17 points the first time, then 74 the second time.

19 calories burned (291 overall)


Quick Play (1-4 Players)
In Quick Play, a wheel is spun and a random event is chosen to play. You can spin the wheel again if you don’t like the event.


Challenge Play
Challenge Play allows you to issues challenges to your Xbox live friends. First you come to a page where you see challenges that have been issues to you. You can play those, or challenge someone which is what I did.

The challenge friend screen pulls up six friends at a time, but lists the gamertags of friend who have played the game first. Either that, or it lists players online who have it… I don’t know for sure, but the one person I know has it was listed first and then it was alphabetica. My only option is my brother, Tiki McKilty, so I issued a challenge to him.

Once selected, it shows me my record against him, which is 0-0. I chose issue challenge and I can select any of the mini-games. I chose Crazy Kicker and scored 41 points. Afterwards, I chose Send Challenge, and I suppose I wait for him to accept and play the challenge…


Odds and Ends
The game boasts leaderboards, but I could never find what I wanted. Let me choose an event and see how my friends did. There doesn’t seem to be any way to do that whatsoever. If it exists, I can't find it.

One thing the game could benefit from is even easier and faster menus. After playing a game, you can replay or go back to the main menu. The choice to go back to the Select a Sport menu would be better, while being able to go back to the selected sport menu would be even better.

It could be more efficient by having less page changes. The slowness of going from menu to menu takes away from the game a bit when you get going, although it does provide for some needed breaks I suppose.

Summary
In conclusion, this game is a lot of fun. It’s mostly a party type game, but it’s also fun one-on-one, or alone. There are plenty of games to keep you occupied and I’m hoping they release more. It also doesn’t kill off the original Kinect Sports as those are different sports all together. You should get plenty of play from each—I know once my family visits during Christmas, we’ll be playing this game quite a bit.

Like all motion games on any console, there are going to be some missed reads where you’ll swear you did something but the game didn’t register it. Instead of bitching and pretending to throw a controller, think about why it missed that read. Were you too close? Were you off screen? Were you too slow or too fast? Make adjustments.