www.Multiplayergames.com – Multiplayer Games

There’s an exec at EA looking at a sales sheet right now and laughing. Yes, he’s aware that there are people out there willing to pay a whopping $40 for a digital version of a board game (one in which the actual game would only cost $20) without any online features to speak of. Unlike previously released Monopoly however, there is some value in Trivial Pursuit, though not enough to make this worth the ridiculous asking price.

The major change to this digital edition is obvious, and that’s multiple choice answers. All of the same rules apply in the standard mode, in that players are trying to collects pie pieces from around the board in each category, before having to answer one more to take it all. The multiple choice nature means a lot of correct answers based on guesses, but does add a sense of fun, and makes it easier for less-then-stellar trivia buffs.

Also, the presentation is jazzed up by pictures, and unique map-based questions that require category knowledge and geography. The constant animation of the pieces does grow tiresome and slows the game down. Grating music doesn’t help either.

Unlike Monopoly, which added in abysmal mini-games, additional modes here are actually enjoyable. Clear the Board mode has players moving around, gaining points for each correct answer. The catch is that each spot can only be used once, right answer or not.

Next up is the initially confusing Facts and Friends. Here all players use a single play piece. The game is based on points, which can be won by answering questions, betting on other players likelihood of getting it right, or even stealing wedges earned by other players. It’s unique and intriguing once all of the rules are understood.

All of that is wonderful, but everything comes back to value, which Trivial Pursuit fails at. This, like Monopoly, should have been $10 or $15 on the Live Arcade with online. Trivial Pursuit fails are both, and as such makes it a flat out stupid investment unless you truly feel like this varies enough from the physical version at half the price.

It should also be noted that some questions contain typos, such as “George Tech” instead of “Georgia Tech.” Dice rolls also feel forced and rigged, consistently rolling the exact number needed to land on the needed spots as the game comes to a close. These little flaws add up over time, and while it may seem like beating a dead horse, $40 is ridiculous to ask for any board game translation.

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