by Robert Workman on Monday, September 01, 2008
After the release of the semi-successful original game and a merely average Party Animals spin-off, the Viva Pinata crew returns with Trouble In Paradise for Xbox 360. Like the first game, you maintain a garden while caring for a variety of Pinata creatures, feeding them candy to alter their moods and placing them wherever you feel they're comfortable. Micromanagement is key to success, and it's done in a fun, tireless way.
Apparently, Professor Pester is back and raising havoc. With the help of his nefarious Ruffians, he shuts down the computer records for Pinata Central, leaving hundreds of parties in peril. It's up to you to help rebuild the database, shipping Pinatas off to different areas as needed. Of course, Pester keeps right up with you, challenging your Pinata and garden-tending skills.
Trouble In Paradise has a few noteworthy additions. You can print creature designs off the Viva Pinata page (which should now be active) and put them into the game using the Xbox Live Camera. Thirty new species including a cute little Penguin Pinata should quickly become a favorite for fans. The camera interaction is also easier than in the first game, as you can now zoom right to specific Pinatas without a long wait. Perhaps the two biggest add-ons players will notice while gardening are the new land types, sand and snow. Using them in excess creates unexpectedly fun results, such as summoning a blizzard or excessive sunshine.
Although we liked the first game, it was also too difficult. With Trouble in Paradise, developer Rare remedied this with two extra modes, Just For Fun and co-op. At any time, a second player can join in the action off-line to help you. This is great for parents who want to play along with their kids or for siblings and friends who want to work together. Unfortunately, this mode isn't available through Xbox Live, although you're able to visit other gardens and challenge fellow players to quick races and minigames. The other mode, Just For Fun, enables younger players to simply get everything right from the start and create a Pinata world.
Viva's presentation doesn't go over the top, but it doesn't necessarily have to. The characters are cute and cuddly, the gardens look great, with tons to explore and plenty to do, both offline and through Xbox Live.
Rare could've easily slapped a couple of minor changes into this game and given us an expansion pack. Instead, Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise offers enough to make it a worthy sequel. It'll be a little too cute for some, but others will see past the adorable exterior and find the delicious treats inside, just like a real pinata.
Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise Game Guide
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