Product Description

There has never been a better time to buy the game everyone is talking about.The Sims Deluxe Edition combines into one premium edition the most popular PC game of all time, The Sims, as well as the top-selling Sims expansion pack, The Sims Livin' Large, and a host of all-new exclusive features and content. ... Read more

Features

• Includes:
• The Sims: Create an entire neighborhood of Sims and run or ruin their lives with the full version of the best-selling PC game of all time. Help your Sims pursue careers, make friends, and find romance - or make a complete mess of things! Open-ended gameplay gives you the freedom to set your own goals and chart your Sims' destiny.
• The Sims Livin' Large: With over 125 additional items, five additional career tracks with 50 additional jobs and a cast of wild characters like the Grim Reaper and the Genie, this best selling expansion pack puts your Sims into outrageous situations and settings.
• Sims Creator: Recreate every Sim you can imagine with this powerful tool that allows even the novice users to customize every detail of how their Sims look. Even put your own face in The Sims!
• 25 plus Exclusive Objects

Reviews (183)

Would be five stars except for Sims 2...
This pack contains the game that started it all.Here, even more room is made for individuality and creativity.

What do we learn from the Sims?

1.Deferring gratification is essential for a "win."
2.Money isn't everything - but it isn;t evil, either.
3.Energy is limited but renewable.
4.Balance is crucial.Spending all time and energy on one thing is rarely good in the long run...

Wonderful, wonderful game.

Boooooooooorrrrrrrrring!!
I've heard so many people rave about the Sims over the past couple of years that I finally decided to break down and buy it. This is one of the few times that I have to say I honestly have no idea what the big deal is all about.

The Sim is a "people simulator". You create little people, plop them down in a house and control thier lives. You buy them clothes, furniture, make them meet people. Just about everything real people do. And that's basically the problem.

The thing I that I found least entertaining about the Sims is that the whole game revolves around what I call "micro-managment". Every last little detail you have to scrutinize. Though some might find this appealing, I found it tedious and boring. It makes me feel less like I'm playing a game and more like an accountant. The game is also quite slow paced. Even if you speed up time, the game can move too fast and then you can really lose control over the game.

The gameplay consists of a "point, click, and watch" formula for gameplay. You click on an object, your Sim person will walk to it, use it, and then go back to being idle. After time if you develop a pattern the Sim person will do things on his own, but that takes a while. After endlessly pointing and clicking and watching, I started to do things like try to set my Sim person on fire, or not have him go to the bathroom for a while. It is rather fun to torture your Sim person but it wears thin after a while.

The graphics are good. The Sims speak in some kind of jibberish. And there's lots of Sim skins available for download on the internet.

All in all I'd have to say that I really don't get this game. Maybe it's because I'm more used to games like Metal Gear Solid and SOCOM that I have trouble playing a game of this type. I tend to like having more direct control over the outcome of a game. The Sims made me feel like I'm a spectator. I'd have to say pick this up only you find a really good deal. Otherwise it's best to take the $20 you were going to spend and pick up something else. Sorry, but this is one I can't recomend.

simy
this game is simulated life.Why is it "fun" to do the dishes in a game, but not in real life?who cares?it is!so, but now or die now.

simulated people
The Simms stands for simulated people.A simulation is like the real thing but on the computer.You dont move around a maze like Mario.YOu have to take care of you're SIMMS PEOPLE!!You have to feed them and give them windows and jobs and make them go to the bathroom.It's like your a scientist whocontrols the experiment which is people. And notice didnt say you are GOD Peo-PLE so you cant get made at me.

Now some warnigns about the game.Peoplewho play the Simms like to talk about wht there simms did that day and who they met and how they are doing.YOU HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF YOU'RE SIMM OR THEY WILL DIE PEO-PLE!!!!iF YOU THINK YOU CAN PLAY IT A LITTLE BIT and put it away then it is not for you.Go get Halo Half life or another first person shooter!!Part of the fun of the simms is being with people who now about it and want to talk to other people abbout how there Simms are doing!!!

Also it is very addicting!!!!

ALo you can kill your sim by putting them in the pool and taking the ladder away!!!

Kinda Fun, but mostly ANNOYING!
Overall, the concept of this game is fun and the writers had some really good ideas and it's funny in some ways. But what I HATE about this game is that you spend more than 70% of the time making them go to bed, eat, and go take a bath/shower!!! Like, I get it, but enough already... They have so little energy that you never have time to do anything fun. One or two activities, and they're down on the floor. WHAT?! Ha, don't even bother getting them a job b/c you will see them again...Just stick with the cheat codes. If this game did not have this one flaw (ie energy would last longer) then it would be awesome. I'm buying Sims 2 and I really hope that this will not be as big a problem!!!! Grrrr.... ... Read more

Reviews (28)

Games not realistic!!
I played the tournament Texas Hold Em poker and there is no way you can get pass the second round. You can have 3 of kind, and the other player would have 4 of a kind. You can have a flush, 2 other players would have a straight flush. This is what it is like almost every hand. Anyone who plays poker knows you don't see that many good hands out there.
Blackjack is way to unrealistic. If you have a 20 and the dealer has a 5 face up, he seems to always to get a 6, then a 10 to get 21. I played 10 straight hands, the dealer had 4 blackjacks and 6 20's. That is almost impossible for a dealer to get that lucky. And if you see the dealer has a king faced up, just surrender unless you have 21 because the dealer ALWAYS has another king down.
If you want to learn how to play the game, you should get this, but if you already know how to play, don't buy this, it is a waste of money!

I would give this game 3 1/2 stars
I bought this game for under $10 bucks which also included shipping.For that price, You can't lose!I was reading the reviews for Hoyle Casino 2004 which had all the worse reviews I've seen yet.The reason I bought Hoyle casino 2003 instead of the 2004 version is the fact that there really isnt much a difference.Plus with the 2003. I can play without having the cd in my drive. Which is a BIG PLUS! I was hoping to see if the Texas hold'em tournaments were gonna be like the world poker tour.SADLY ENOUGH IT'S NOT. They dont have a NO LIMIT game.It would of been exciting to go all in and see if anyone or a computer match it. But still can't knock sierra just yet.Because it is still fun.I want to try out the new drink system but only if they improve two minor issues.One: They have a no limit texas hold'em tournament and Two: CD optional if people want it in the drive. If you are in the market for a casino game.Get this version because you would save money.But still waiting to see what newer version will bring.So if Hoyle casino 2005 comes out.I'm reading reviews before I buy.Don't want to make the mistake by buying the 2004 version.

Hoyle's Casino 2003 - Best Ever
I recently purchased this from Amazon and received a manual along with it that I find very helpful as I'm new to Poker and Blackjack.The characters are so realistic and it's fun to listen to their conversations.
The first time I clicked on the AutoPlay screen to start playing I could hear sound but my screen went black. I have Windows XP Home Edition with DirectX 9.0. I was sure this was the latest version of DirectX, but when I went to Microsoft's Help & Support Center, on the list was the question did the screen go black. I then went to Microsoft.com and found there was an update called DirectX 9.0B. It took a little over 30 minutes to download this version. When I clicked Play on the AutoPlay Screen this time, the place where you hear what seems to be a frog croaking, it worked fine.
When some of the reviewers blame Hoyle for problems it could be Microsoft has an update that will make everything go smoothly. Hoyle creates extremely clever games and I'm very happy I bought this CD. The only games that can even compete with this are the Bicycle Card and Board Games which I also own. None of the other Casino games can even begin to compare to Hoyle's Casino 2003 in my opinion.

Lot's of fun and good practice
The table games are great and the play is very realistic. The players voices are a turn-off after a while so I play with the sound off. It is a great way to sharpen your skills before a trip to Vegas or AC. I had never played Pai Gow Poker but I learned from this software and look forward to trying it in a casino. The craps and roulette are fun too. I don't play slots in a casino so I don't use the slots on this either.Overall I think this is a good buy for some fun on the PC.

Fun Game
Very nice game. Graphics are well done.Facemaker is fun, and it uses the face I created in Card games without me having to tell it to go find it.The table games are well done, the speed of play is easily adjusted, graphics and audio are clear and crisp.There are so many gmes it is difficult to tire of this game.The slots could be a tad better, in that none of them are copies of real machines.Also the "feel" while playing them is not quite right.They are certainly playable though, as these faults are minor.I gave 4 stars out of 5, because the characters comments get annoyingly redundant very quickly.Of course, you can turn the character speech off if you want. ... Read more

Product Description

With a new magical, carnival-themed location, over 175 new items, and a host of quirky new characters, Makin' Magic is the largest Sims Expansion Pack ever. New gameplay includes making, gathering, and questing for ingredients to brew magic spell recipes. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Family
• Mission: Your Sims can now harness the supernatural, casting playful or mischievous spells
• Platform: Windows 98/2000/XP

Reviews (87)

Not the best Sims expansion...
I found magic to be very inconvenient and expensive to use.As in all other Sim games, it is hard to keep your Sim happy for more than a few days, and also make enough money to live off of.It is only fun to go to a premade house and play with the premade sims, but that's not the point of the game...

They should make this for the Sims 2
Sure, it will make #2 unrealistic, but it is a whole lot of fun! Imagine how great the graphics will be if this was a Sims 2 expansion pack! I could only imagine how many more spells and reactions there will be if this was made into a 2 expansion pack. But, being it is still in old school form, it is a pretty fun, pretty addictive game. I can't believe how much the price went down!

Get it while the getting's good. You won't regret it. It combines a sort of Harry Potter-type world, complete with roller coasters, mummies, a skeleton maid, and magic crystals.

Ouch
I'm so glad I don't own this expansion pack, but I was "fortunate" enough to experience it at a friend's house. I found it extremely silly. The Sims is already pretty fake (as in most expansion packs really don't offer a whole lot as it seems to in the store), with expansion packs building on this characteristic, but Makin' Magic overdoes it completely. Maxis and EA probably came out with this expansion pack after seeing such a huge response to spells and fantasy and magic in Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and the like. In a way it clashes with Livin' Large. Both of them have "halloween" themes about them and the supernatural and blackmagic occuring. Through hearsay, the only things I can remember from the top of my head found in Makin' Magic is the ability for Sims to own a vineyard and something called MagiCoins. Also, potions can enable your Sim to be a rockstar instantly as well as make any Sim fall in love with yours.

I truly don't recommend this. It's as good as cheating by getting everything you want through brewing potions and such. It took me long enough to get addicted to the Sims, but this is so exaggerated. My Sims collection stops at Superstar.

Beware, your sims are witches and wizards, AWESOME!
this being the grand finale for the original sims, they made it grand! they gave you new powers, you can now control other sims lives completly, and not just the ones you create! you can cast love spells to make the process of love a little quicker, mind control sims to make them do as you please, transform gnomes and flamingos to come alive for an amount of time, and if someone annoys you, just turn them into a frog! you have all new items and and a new town. you can also do another spell that makes the game all worth it! if you have the sims 'Unleashed' you can transform your pet into a new sim to add to your family! it gives you new looks for your sims, and an all new currency! 'Magicoins' they let you buy spell items and new houses in Magictown that give you special powers and items you get in the regular game. this is by far the best expansion they have came out with!

Brilliant Idea!
Whoever thought up this one sure thought up a winner!!It's so fun to try out each spell.It sure takes a long time to get boring because you have to find all those ingredients!It takes longer than you might think.
There are also new objects and a whole other world- Magic Town- to explore!You can earn MagiCoins (to buy ingredients) by performing magic tricks and so forth for the crowds there.It's very cool.Just make sure those spells don't backfire on you! ... Read more

Product Description

The Sims: Double Deluxe is the ultimate compilation. Double Deluxe includes "The Sims," "The Sims: Livin' Large," "The Sims: House Party," "The Sims Creator Tool" and exclusive Double Deluxe content. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Teen
• Genre: Strategy
• Mission: Create and develop your own unique person by choosing from hundreds of characteristics
• Platform: Windows 95/98/XP

Reviews (29)

Well Worth The Price!
Just like the title states, this is well worth the price!
This includes the original The Sims, The Sims House Party EP, the Sims Livin' Large EP, some bonus objects, walls, and floors, and The Sims Creator tool.
If you don't have any of The Sims games, this is the perfect place to start.The Sims and the two EPs have so much stuff in it for a Sims novice, you won't need the other expansion packs for years!It's virtually impossible to get bored with infinitely many possibilities.
The Sims Creator is a program where you can make Sims skins.My sister is no artist but she made some pretty good Lord Of The Rings clothes for the LOTR heads she downloaded.It's a good thing to experiment with.
Buy this if you don't have it; you won't be sorry!

SIMS BY FAR
THE SIMS IS THE SIMS HAVING THREE EXPNSION PACKS IS BY FAR THE THING.THEY MAKE AOT OF MONEY U KNOW U LOSE AND EXPANSION PAK U BUY ANOTHER ONE./BUT WITH THIS SET THERE NO NEED. BUT STILL POPLE WOULD DO THE SAMEE.THEY CONTIUNE TO BUILD UP CAPIAL FORM THIS.

Good game not so good playability
Good game with lots of neat objects and items. The iteractions are cool too. Everything you need to throw a great party. But you get bored of it after a while, and don't get it and plan on not spending more money on another expantion pack. The Sims Makin Magic, Bustin out, and Hot date give you a lot more to do so you are never in a position where all your mood bars are full and you dont have something to do.

Greatest PC deal/game of all time!!!
I first recieved Sims DOuble Deluxe as a Christmas gift. Much to my dismay i needed Windows XP to run it. I waited patiently and when the game did work, I found myself staying up late to play it!
First of all...
GRAPHICS 9/10
This game has some of the best graphics I've ever seen. Unlike other games it also does not need to load thest graphics.
GAMEPLAY 10/10
With fires, moods, and work, you are kept alert and on your toes. With buy and build mode, there is no limit to how big your home can be!
SOUNDS 8/10
The only problem...repetitive music. It's not bad, but not good either.
REPLAYABILITY 10/10
Like i said, you won't want to turn off the PC!
EXPANSION PACK ?/10
I haven't loaded it yet.
OVERALL 10/10
This is a great game and i think you would be a fool not to buy it if you can.
Need I say More?

I love it except for...
First off I have to say that I became one of those addicts after I first got this.I'd spend hours and hours playing it and playing it,trying to get my people happy and rich and so on.Its a really great game EXCEPT for those of us who get so addicted we wanna add on more expansion packs,such as oh say Hot Date.The Hot Date has enough problems on its own,I'm not saying it isn't fun but the sounds usually hard to get right if you can get sound on it.I tried to point on Hot Date after Double Deluxe and its just a pain.I've been doing nothing but installing and installing and nothing works,always telling me I've got the wrong CD or it wouldn't play for this reason or that reason.So my advise to you is that if you buy Double Deluxe,don't try to install the Hot Date Expansion Pack after it because thats just impossible.Oh yes,for those of you who can't seem to get it uninstalled,goto the Sims official website and download the SimsEraser. ... Read more

Features

• Explore rich environments from the colorful Burrow to the dark reaches of the Forbidden Forest.
• Master new spells including Expeliarmus, Diffendo, and Skurge.
• Overcome dangerous foes from Aragog to the Basilisk.
• Take flight to play improved Quidditch.
• Interact with new characters from J.K. Rowling's world, including Dobby, Lockhart, and Ginny Weasley.

Reviews (89)

The Chamber Of Fun!
This game is one of the best games I have ever played.

>Every hidden corner can be explored.
>Each spell is very creative.
>The surroundings in the game are very well detailed.
>It is more fun to collect wizard cards in this game than in
any other because the cards unlock many secrets.

From Arigog in the Forbidden Forest to the bascilisk in the Chamber Of Secrets this game is great fun. It is a must play!

Great Game, Great Graphics
I've had trouble finding computer games for my daughter that are age appropriate.Most games labeled "for children" are really for kindergarten & under, and thus too easy & childish."Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets" is just perfect!This is a wonderful game, challenging without being frustrating; great graphics; low on violence; and just plain fun.

geting better
This game is better than the first harry potter but don't get me rong I liked the first also.this is another must have for harry potter fans.

One great game
This is the best of the 4 Harry Potter games. The graphics are good,the music is good,and the gameplay is great. The spells you learn are really creative. This is the hardest Harry Potter game I've played. However,you have to restart the game to acsoss the Main Menu.

A great game for all ages!
Harry Potter and the Chamber Of secrets is a very fun and interesting video game. You start out having to save Ron from the Whomping Willow. On the Whomping Willow there will be a sign that means you may cast Flipendo on it and save Ron. When you arrive at Hogwarts, you're first day you will have a lesson with Proffesor Lockhart on the Third Level. You will have to hit an arrow key on the keyboard as a wand makes its way around it. This is called Rictusempra. It stuns many unusual creatures. It is useful in this game, though. You will then go to the Rictusempra Challenge. When you arrive in a room that has three boxes where you can cast Flipendo on it, look at the doors. On each floor level there will be a picture of Proffesor Lockhart. Cast Flipendo on the blocks until you have the three bottom level doors unlocked. Then unulock the left door and go into it up into the next level and so on. Then when you arrive in the last room You have to hit the creatures into the pit where they belong. Then go up to get the Completion Star, and your time will become your new personal record. What I like to do after I complete the Rictusempra Challenge is go to the Dueling Club and duel other members. After you beat levels, the courts change. Then finish all of the other challenges. When you arrive at the Chamber Of Secrets, I have barely any advice. The only advice I have is that when fighting the Basilisk in the second round, only hit him when his mouth is open. Before you fight the Basilisk, you must gain a lot of health. After you defeat Tom Riddle and the Basilisk, you end up in Dumbledore's office. Go up to the top of his office and look for a Wizard card. Then, when you are finished, do not i mean DO NOT go to the feast. First, you must make sure you have every Silver Wizard card to advance to the Gold Wizard card Challenge. If you do not have every Silver Wizard card, I would duel people and buy cards from sellers. That is all the advice I have. And I recommend to purchase Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Plunge into a world unlike any dreamt possible before. From the makers of the original Myst and Riven, this groundbreaking adventure beckons players to uncover the elusive secrets of the ancient D'ni civilization. Follow Yeesha, eccentric daughter of Atrus, to discover Linking Books, encounter descendants, and solve puzzles as you venture through visually stunning environments.

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Uru: Ages Beyond Myst is the next chapter of the Myst franchise and the most immersive and ambitious Myst experience ever created. The game is bigger, better, and more innovative than any of the previous Myst adventures. Players can move at their own pace, spending hours discovering visually stunning, real-time 3D worlds, solving a large variety of mind-challenging puzzles, and following an epic storyline. Players can continue to discover new areas of D'ni by downloading new maps, worlds, and puzzles.

The Story of Uru

The story of the D'ni civilization began when they established their underground empire on Earth some 10,000 years ago. While living beneath the Earth's surface, the D'ni practiced what they called the "Art of Writing," which enabled them to create links to incredible, alternate worlds of fantastic variety called "Ages," to which they could travel through "Linking Books."

The D'ni people thrived for thousands of years, but later met with a great catastrophe that all but ended their civilization. Their vast cavern was left uninhabited, and their Linking Books and Ages seemed lost forever.

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Then, in the late 1980s, a few humans from the surface discovered that cavern. One of these humans was Elias Zandi. He devoted the rest of his life to exploring and, eventually, restoring that ancient city in the D'ni cavern, preparing to one day reveal their discovery to those who were suddenly feeling irresistibly drawn to the cavern.

When he passed away in 1996, his legacy was divided between a foundation that he set up and his only son, Jeff Zandi. The foundation came to be known as the DRC (D'ni Restoration Council). As their name implies, they took on the task of physically restoring the ruins of the D'ni cavern. If you choose to visit the cavern at some point, you're sure to run into them.

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Jeff Zandi, on the other hand, was interested in learning why the D'ni civilization fell in the first place. He continued studying the teachings of Yeesha, by far the most talented of all the D'ni writers, and daughter of Atrus and Catherine. After years of learning, the younger Zandi is finally comfortable bringing others to an uru (a D'ni word meaning "large gathering" or "grand community").

On your way to the cavern, if you decide to join us, it might be a good idea for you to learn some of the great teachings of Yeesha. Experience the adventure of a lifetime, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst.

Game Features

• Experience a new freedom of movement, a first for the Myst franchise: Explore each unique age in real-time 3D, moving your character effortlessly through the world without pointing and clicking.
• Create a realistic character: Choosing from a wide variety of facial and clothing features, you will be able to create a male or female avatar that you will use to explore the world. The range of character options allows you to appear the way you look, or the way you want to look.
• Explore the mysterious and graphically intense world of Uru. Uru's work-of-art style graphics will immerse and captivate you like never before.

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• Follow an epic storyline: At the request of Yeesha, the eccentric daughter of Atrus, you'll journey through a variety of different ages, and discover the lost civilization of the D'ni people. As the story unfolds, you'll be drawn deeper into the D'ni civilization, and if you choose to download new content, the journey expands even further. You can explore new ages and areas of the D'ni civilization, unravel new mysteries, and adventure in a world that continually changes and expands. Exciting new content will be downloaded regularly, providing an adventure experience that is fresh and ever-changing.

Features

• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Adventure/Puzzle
• Mission:?Single-players?move at their own pace, spending hours discovering visually stunning, real-time 3D worlds, solving a large variety of mind-challenging puzzles, and following an epic storyline.
• Platform:?Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP

Reviews (237)

A major disappointment
When I heard that the makers of Myst had created yet another adventure game, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Taking into account that I had thoroughly enjoyed all of the other Myst games, I expected that Uru would be no letdown. Wrong!!! As it turned out, Uru did not even work on my computer; the game merely allowed me to view the introduction before requiring some advanced graphics card and stopping dead in its tracks. This game was such a disappointment! I had been so fond of the Myst series until this little party pooper came around. I had basically exchanged 50 dollars for Uru's cover art and a fruitless 30-minute installation! Anyway, if you plan on buying this game, be aware that it requires a computer that was probably invented seconds before the game's completion.

Brilliant & Appreciated
i felt this game had enough challenge & atmosphere to credit the team that worked so hard to build it..(!) i dont understand why this game was knit-picked so badly. i thought the moving objects were really interesting especially with the way they mimicked actual objects. i've played games with stick-figues for graphics that took *hours & dozens of tries* to position. Having a little effigy of yourself running around on the screen is adorable. All the different camera features with total surround was brilliant. The only reason this game didnt get 5 stars was because it does need a patch to run on XP.

It doesn't stand out
When I first heard that Uru would allow the user to make their own character and place him/her into this world, I was very excited. However, once I got my hands on the game itself and learned how troublesome it was to simply move this person around the worlds, I was very disappointed. My father and I have been playing these games since Riven and have loved them immensely. Every year, right after Christmas we begin to play them and usually continue nonstop till we have beat it. However, it has been about a year since Uru has first come out and it is just now that we are actually beginning to go through it again and finish.

The past games had problems that could have been solved by using clues spread throughout the world. But I find with Uru that you just have to play guess and check a lot which I have never found to be the way when it came to Myst.

Now I am usually a patient person but the loading time between worlds is unbelievable. This game requires a lot of linking I have found and some of the problems are timed (I am thinking of the Paths of the Shell expansion pack on this comment), so you really start panicking when your computer takes a good 5 minutes before something actually shows up. And then to actually get the player moving without being all jolty, it takes another minute to load. Sigh. Very disheartening.

I have found that with Uru and even Exile the quality has come down. Riven seems to be their own real achievement currently but hopefully Myst IV will redeem them... if only I could get it to load on my computer. Sigh. These games have it in for me and my computer, I tell you.

SO disappointed...
I was a bit suspicious of this game at first.Wasn't the Myst Trilogy supposed to stop with three games?I was rightfully cautious.It's been about a year since I've had this game, and I finally figured out that I don't play it because it is no fun!I had the problems with system requirements too, but after updating my graphics driver, things finally started working.I had been stuck in the desert you get dumped into first because whenever I approached a certain journey cloth, the game crashed.The driver update solved that.However, once I could go to any of the worlds in the game, I noticed how bad the game was.

My first complaint is that MYST DOES NOT NEED AVATARS!I enjoyed being able to click and proceed to the next screen.I DON'T NEED TO WATCH SOMEONE WALK AROUND.If I wanted to do that, I would be a stalker!Like other reviewers have said, the slideshow was so much better.

Second, the controls of the other games were SO MUCH EASIER!Clicking, moving mouse, clicking again.There is elegance in simplicity.None of this <insert bad language here> that is thrown into Uru.If it can't be done by clicking the mouse and using your head (Ubisoft - please don't take that literally - I've heard the horror stories of kicking rocks), it shouldn't be in a Myst game.

Third, I am not interested in a Myst online game.Games like Myst, Riven, and Exile do not belong in an online environment.I admit that I haven't tried Uru online, but I have no desire to do so.If the game comes out, it should be GOOD ENOUGH to make me want to play it online.

In short, this game is not well developed.I prefer DOS games to this!It overworks my computer and it is NO FUN TO PLAY.Cyan and Ubisoft, please do not try anything like this again.Myst fans, stick with Myst, Riven, and Exile, the real Myst trilogy.

URU:Too much hype
This age of myst was one the really dissappointed me. Upon getting the game, it wouldnt play on my system because of the video card, so i had to buy a new card to play it. But the game itself is really boring, you spend all your time searching every inch of the screen to find things. All the other myst series had it alot easier to see when you had something to look at or click on, but not this game. If you are not in the exact right spot, you will miss something that you need to continue the game. I never finished playing URU because you are not sure what you are looking for, also you almost need a PHd to solve a few of the puzzles. This game was a big waste of my money, and i hope that they go back to the drawing board on the next installment they make. Get back to some of the old myst, newer isnt always better! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With more than 10 million copies sold throughout the world, the Myst series has become the benchmark for all adventures to come. Now, for the first time, the three volumes of this mythic saga are assembled in one astounding collection. Gather your cunning and summon your imagination--for every enigma you unravel binds you closer to the unforgettable realm of Myst. Myst Trilogy includes Myst Masterpiece, Riven, and Myst III: Exile.

Myst Trilogy includes:
Myst Masterpiece The remastered version of Myst. In this acclaimed first adventure, embark on an intrepid journey into a strange world and its mysteries--a world wracked by intrigue, betrayal, and inexplicable distortions of time and space. Join Atrus as you discover the secrets of the D'ni civilization, where books are portals into other worlds, and lessons of the past shape your future.
Riven: The Sequel to Myst Riven plunges you deeper into a world cursed by bewildering rifts in time. Every shadow hides a secret, and appearances are never what they seem. Atrus needs you once again; help him free his wife, Catherine, and untangle the daunting mysteries of Riven.
Myst III: Exile A decade has transpired since Riven. Now Atrus and Catherine's efforts to rebuild the D'ni civilization are jeopardized by a new enemy. Saavedro, bent on avenging his ruined existence, has emerged from exile to claim vengeance upon Atrus's two sons. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

XP Compatibility
I have all three Myst Trilogy games working perfectly under Windows XP Pro (SP2) OS on my PC.It has an Nvidia GeForce FX 5600 video card with 256 mb RAM, which is recommended by Ubisoft for this product.

Captivating Time Waster
If you have the time to immerse yourself in a 40-60 hour puzzle, these are the games for you. Great graphics, wonderful puzzles. Not for the dim-witted....

This game is really cool!!
Myst is a wonderful game full of puzzles, fun, and it takes a LOT of brain power.I enjoyed playing Myst, although for children, I would recommend adult help (some puzzles are REALLY tricky)I would say though, that this game probably shouldn't be played by children under 12.Again, very tricky.There is a little bit of a kind of spooky atmosphere (not terribly spooky), but kids might not like it.Myst is a big puzzle.There are no directions, you're just dropped on an island, all alone.You have to find special books that take you to different islands, and at every island, lies more and more puzzles.I think this game is best played in a group or with a friend.Together you can use your different skills to solve the puzzles.
I would recommend this Myst Trilogy pack to anyone that enjoyed the game, or is interested.Also, the price is wonderful.If you like puzzles, thinking, and teamwork, buy this Myst Trilogy pack!

???Help Me???
I've read some reviews from people that say they got it to run on XP. How? I have run the compatibility wizard--more like a compatibility trickster--and it still doesn't work. What I've SEEN of it is excellent (artistry is stunning; plot, so far, is great), but it quits when I get to the part where the player goes to another age. I loaded it onto the dinosaur of a computer that has Windows 98 on it, and it worked, except the computer is so ancient it's too slow to keep the graphics up with the sound and it gets stuck.
Somebody help me? If you've got a suggestion (a solution would be nice), pleeeeease e-mail me at: sindar_gloriel@mailpuppy.com And this is the new version of the original Myst, if that makes any sense. I looked for patches--couldn't find any. I've heard some horror stories about tech support from UBI software, too.

Noooo....puede ser...
No puede ser semejante juego tan malo....No soy aficionado a los juegos de aventura pero Syberia y Grim Fandango me parecen geniales...Pero este....en trilogia si dejenme decirle que es una farsa...Ni se les ocurra comprar este juego... Necesita quicktime...y consiste en hacer click sobre imagenes y estan van cambiando...acercandose, no hay sensación de movimiento...aunque dice que tiene vision 360 grados...pero esto no es un juego. Las imagenes son buenas pero es simplemente la superposicion de imagenen al hacer click....noooo que desilución tan gigante. ... Read more

Features

• Manage every aspect of a major shopping mall, from hiring and firing mall staff to setting rent for individual shops
• Suit an infinite number of shoppers, al with their own personal preferences
• Promote your mall with seasonal events and advertising campaigns
• Give people access to your mall by train, car and bus
• Research new technologies to improve your mall - elevators, security cameras and more

Reviews (2)

BAD!!!!!!!
THis game is a WASTE to buy!!! This is the wort game i have, and i have played many games!!! you have to build your own mall and it doesn't give you half the things you need. I know it seems fum but i promise you it is not. What it is is a waste of money. if you are going to buy a game go and get Sims!

Shopping Tycoon Lovers
Mall Tycoon 2 has new environments to choose from-and-you can build 9 Shopping levels! It has the same look and feel as Mall Tycoon 2.I was hoping on more of a 3D environment like the Sims 2--they're not there yet-and I hope it wont be too long.This is the BEST shopping mall tycoon you can buy! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The popular and long-running TV game show is brought to your PC. Hosted by Louie Anderson, Family Feud contains more than 1,500 surveys, and, of course, the most popular answers. Choose to compete against friends and family, or challenge the computer opponents. Watch full-motion video segments of the TV show that feature Anderson. The game lets you customize family members with names and likenesses, or you can choose from a variety of preset characters. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Family Fun
This game is so cool!!!!!!!! It's a great game to play with your family & friends. If you buy this you will have a blast!

Survey Says...Number 1 Answer
It is just so amazing how many flaws game shows have had when they become computer games and video games. The gameplay really isn't as fun or exciting as the reality of the actual game show itself. Not always in this particular case. With some game shows, they have to really seem to fit the right key. That right key came with Family Feud and Louie Anderson. Although Louie is no longer the host of Family Feud, and Richard Karn of Home Improvement fame is, Louie brought a realistic sense of humor that blended in uniquely and to the fullest sense of the survey.

With Family Feud for the P.C., you get a choice from 5 families to choose from to play for the big bucks. But, if you aren't satisfied with those families, you can always make your own family with the create a family option. The game is exactly the same as Louie used to host the feud. Still, he seems a little mild-mannered during the game, but shows a better sense of humor at the end, with a little dance he pulls to say goodbye. Otherwise, the game also includes several other features to the mix, including a question level difficulty, and a adjustable time limit on all questions. Still, unlike some game show hosts, Louie looks a little more realistic than the actual contestants. That is really no surprise there. The game also includes something that really isn't in the box, fun. This is actually fun.

I just still don't understand that when it comes to game shows making it for the P.C. there are always flaws. When it comes to Wheel Of Fortune, all you see is Vanna and no Pat Sajak. When it comes to Millionaire, it seems more like the newer version without Regis Philbin. When Pyramid was released in 2001, the game really wasn't like the actual game show. Unlike those game shows, Family Feud hits it exactly right. If you're a fan of the Family Feud and you have a computer, get it for the P.C. You will have a good time with it.

FAMILY FUED
THIS ONE IS GREAT AND YOU MIGHT NEED THE BOOK THAT HAS ALL OF THE WORDS FOR SPELLING
GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN

Very entertaining...
I give this game 4 1/2 stars. I feel like I am actually at the game. Since I seriously doubt I will be a contestant on Family Feud any time soon, this game is as close as you can get to the real thing.

My one real gripe is that Louis, as lovable as he is, can be a little annoying at times. The game has no way to turn him off so it slows up the game.

Other than that, I recommend this game for great family fun!

Simple, But Fun
The makers of Family Feud tried to make this game as much like the game show as possible. The questions are read by host Louie Anderson, the background includes stage lights, and audience sounds are added in. Surprisingly, most of these features add to the fun of the game rather than taking away from it. You can choose one of their pre-made families or create your own family and family members. However, you are limited to creating 10 characters and 5 families. Once you've reached the limit you can create new characters and families by editing the old ones, but the original characters/families will be lost forever. The character creator allows you to adjust each individual facial feature, as well as the hairstyle, body type, and clothing. Some of the features have a limited number of choices, and most of the features are better suited for women's faces than for men's. The main complaint I hear about this game is that the computer opponents are too easy. I can see how that would be true for expert players, but for the average player setting the computer opponent level to Hard should be sufficient. You could also reduce the answering time for questions or lower the acceptance of misspelled words. ... Read more

Features

• Create your own unique Sim and make new friends
• Random behavior of characters adds comedic mischief and unpredictability
• Create your dream home, build your business, or throw outrageous parties
• All-new, fun-filled, job experiences with entertaining mini-games
• Secure trading; manage a casino; or die a whimsical, morbid death

Reviews (37)

Don't buy if you're only into killing things...
...but if you have an active imagination and love getting goofy with people you've never met before, then this game is definitely for you!Just one word of warning:Be prepared to shell out $9.95 per month, because you WILL be addicted!Even so, considering the price of the average MMORPG subscription is well over $14 per month, The Sims Online is an absolute bargain you'll never be able to put down!

Ten dollars a month FORGET IT
I'm truly a sims lover. I have every expantion pack and sims 2. I just recently got this game because I didn't have it and I saw advertisment on the back of some Sims games. It looked cool that you can talk to other people online and that you can make friends. Also you can share a house with a husband or a best friend. Yeah, that sounds like a lot of fun right?? Well I got the game thinking that it was a lot of fun. When I opened it up and discovered something that was not said in the advertisements. If I wanted to play this game it would be ten dollars a month. That is just as much money as it costs to buy this game. I told my parents that it was 10 dollars a month and the first month free. My parents said no. Listen to me and don't waste the money buying this game in the first place.

An Amazing Game
TSO (as referred to in the actual game) is one of the best games ever.

You might've heard rumors about mafias and other people who aren't nice in the game, but through my experience, that isn't true. If you are just beginning the game and want to meet nice people, start out in Jolly Pines. Everyone helped me when I was new, and all of them became my good friends.

Just try this out. I think they are still offering your first month free, and you will quickly know if you like it or not. So give it a try, and see how you like it.

I sure did.

Kick @$$ Game!!
I LOVE the sims online...It's very addicting and not to hard to get the hang of. There are tons of people willing to help, especially at Newbies Job-Skill Center in Mount Fuji (A city you can choose to live in in the game). I HIGHLY Recommend it...and if you get on and are in Mount Fuji, and need help drop me (Megan-Beth) a message and I'll be more than willing to answer your questions!

Good Concept, but Falls Short
At first, TSO sounded like a great game. After I bought and played the game, however, it seems a little...well...pointless. You go around to other properties and make "money" by playing mini-games (that are strange, time consuming and not fun). Then you use the money to buy clothes, furninshings and building materials for a house. And then...not much happens after that. I wouldn't even categorize this as a game. There isn't really an obejct to it.
If you're considering buying the game to make friends and meet people, use AIM. TSO is the same concept except you see a fictional image of the person you're talking to. Not too exciting there. And all the interactions get really old after a few days...heck, the whole game gets old after a few days. Not to mention the monthly fee you have to pay to play. Definetly not worth it...
... Read more

Features

• PC Products
• ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
• Action/Adventure

Reviews (45)

Writing that makes you wish you were in Soviet Russia
Oh man, where do I begin?First of all, I have never written an amazon review.Reason being that I am usually pretty indifferent, or i should say on the level and feel that the customer can choose for him or herself without listening to my opinion which is many time different from theirs anyway.However, this game was so utterly and painfully terrible that I feel it my duty .... no, my crusade, my jihad, my mission and my ka to warn anyone, ANYONE no matter your usual preference of games to avoid this embarressmet at all costs.Do not take this game even if someone offers YOU 20 bucks to take it off their hands.This curse, this abomination may quiet possibly signal the doom of mankind and any further intelligent thinking on the part of mankind.The writing is terrible on such a level that I felt sick listening to the dialog .... which is impossible to turn down other than adjusting you own speaker volume because this game offers absolutely no game options what so ever.I am one of the few people who still love playing adventure games and i state this so no one gets the imppression that i am a first person shooter who's first forray into adventure gaming was this.I play adventure games for story, writing and thinking .... this monstrosity of a game gets a F in every category.I'm serious, do not waste your money on this game, do not waste your time or even 2-3 days of your life on this game .... go outside and feed bread crumbs to ducks or drill an enormous hole straight through your eyeball, just do not play this game.It is a curse that will stay with you.After witnessing this you will never ever buy an adventure again without first reading 30 reviews at least.After playing this game, which i might add I did not have the stomach to complete, I now no longer believe that mankind as a whole is evolving upwards toward some form of perfection.I now believe that we are de-volving at an unparrelled rate and that soon we will be swinging from trees again or living in caves drawing stick figures of deer and bears and such and calling those stick figures works of unriveled artistry.Please, unless you are considering all the pros of tolitarian censorship, then avoid this game as if it were a rampaging rabid grizzley in heat.

Corny and made little sense to me
This game was just bizzare. I rarely laughed at the corny humor that saturates the gameplay--I usually rolled my eyes. I thought the navigation was illogical and frustrating as well. This is one of those games that I forced myself to finish, and was glad when it was over. Still, it had enough challenge in it to keep me going, so it wasn't a total waste. I've definitely played worse games (like Conspiracies).

Save your money unless they come out with a patch
This game has done nothing but misbehave. First it did not want to load my saved game so I started over again. Second time around it was OK. Then the game blacked out on me at the same point every time, I uninstalled and installed again but the same thing kept happening. The Adventure Company has no on-line help, you have to e-mail them. I could not find a patch either. I am probably going to e-mail them to see what happens but basically I have written it off. I have all the requirements needed according to the box(XP etc.).

The little I played was disappointing and very confusing, the best thing they could do was to give a solution guide along so you can check if you are really just confused or does the game go somewhere?? I never got past the 2nd chapter so who knows?? Graphics are very cartoon like but then I am used to Myst, Syberia and other top of the line games. I could live with that if other features would make up for it, but that is not the case.

Dreadful
Had a heck of a time trying to run it on XP which only added to the unavoidable realization that this "adventure game" is a complete waste of a person's time and energy. I couldn't tell you much in the way of storyline because my computer would freeze up every 10 sec. I gave up trying to go past the 1st chapter. Who needs this aggravation. Root canal is more pleasant.

My Kind of Exploring
This is not for people who like shooters or blowing things up. You can easily get lost in the jungle for a while if you don't keep track of where you have been. Then there are the 6 doors that all look the same. They have a beautiful butterfly pattern on them, but you have to keep track of which door goes to which room. I really like this kind of exploring. I haven't scene a game like this in years. Once you find your way around, then you have to have found the right inventory items and figure out where you need to use them. Some of these are hilarious. You are in for some surprises. Then you can also explore areas out of sequence which adds to the confusion. There are doors in the middle of nowhere that are dimensional portals. Let alone you keep looking for the same guy, well, at least he kind of looks like the same guy. Actually the Doc is different versions of himself in past lives. These can be funny too. One time he is in a gorilla suit, then he looks like a sailor from a corporate office and then he is locked up in something - but I don't want to give that away. If you like taking your time trying to figure out a whacky world this is the one. ... Read more

Product Description

Before J. R. R. Tolkien's epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, there was The Hobbit. Join Bilbo Baggins in his journey though Middle-earth. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Action/Adventure
• Mission: Lead Bilbo Baggins through Middle-earth in his first big adventure
• Platform: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

Reviews (32)

An enjoyble game
From Hobbiton to Mirkwood,this game is really fun. The graphics are great,the music is great, and the quests are outstanding. However, the game doesn't follow the story all the time. The wepons you get are Sting,Stick, and rocks. The enviroments are amazing.

Happy Playing!

luv this game
I love this game.the only problems are that you can only save at specific points, and those points are not well placed.for instance, when you are fighting the spiders, when you get to the only save point, there is a giant spider about to kill you.also, the cutscenes get annoying after a while, and there are only 2 or 3 that you can skip. it takes a while to get used to fighting, but once you do, you can get past anything.what i really didn't like, though, was that the Ring has a meter, and once the meter runs out, you have to take the Ring off and wait for it to charge.when you are in the elven palace, it gets really annoying.overall, it is an awesome game, and i highly reccomend it.

Merely a Poor Console Conversion to make a buck
What the company did here is paid big bucks to get the movie name and rights to the characters, then no follow through.Not trusting the company is the reason for a demo.More demo's please.Recall the game, "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring"?Is was a beta for this game.Now they have better rendering on the characters, but they forgot to put color on the ground and walls.Everything is black.Super annoying.One player. "How do I get up there?"If you hate jumping games, you'll hate jumping games more that they don't finish making.Keyboard - Extra long jump Left-Ctrl key+direction key+jump key+you can't see because they didn't render the ground or the walls in act 2...it's black.Major design flaw (act1) with invisible barriers - If you push the butter churn to the fence near the hay stacks, standing on it to jump over, you can't jump back.You can physcially jump higher than the fence, but they never thought you'd do that and were using an invisible vertical barrier, so you couldn't get there in the first place.If you liked the book, don't purchase this game or you'll even find the book frustrating.

Good for kids... with some help
I've been playing this game with my six-year-old son.He loves it.He does need a little help sometimes.First, some of the puzzles are impossible for a child to figure out (and even adults, if you're not an experienced gamer.) Second, it can be difficult to know what to do at each level to get through it.What I did was to search the Web for a "walkthrough" -- a step-by-step guide for playing the game.Cheating?Maybe, but my son enjoys it more this way -- we get to be able to finish the game, and he can concentrate on the parts he can do well.

Not a PC game fanatic- but I loved this!
WOW!I am in no way a big PC game person.I prefer to play solitaire or go on cartoonnetwork.com.But when my younger brothers brought this home, I was definitely intrigued by the things you had to do in the game.

As soon as I got to play it, I was immediatly hooked.As an amateur, my brothers had to help me at several points, but I was able to figure most of it out on my own.I'm not a Tolkein freak, I just enjoyed the movies, so I can't complain about the storyline, because there definitely is one in this game.There is no bad language nor is there blood, which was a plus for me, as I am a female and I just don't enjoy those things.Of course you have to defeat villians, but it's not gross.

The graphics are awesome, too.There are excellent details and lots of movement.The look and feel of the levels all vary thus far, which makes it so the game doesn't get boring.

I highly recommend this game to anyone- even if you don't like PC games. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Bad Software
Couldn't get to load on my XP-Pro System. Crashed my computer every time I tried something to get it to load.When I called the number for tech support, I was told that the free tech support expired and I'd have to pay for help. NEVERMIND! I returned software for refund.

GREAT FOR THE KIDS
I got a new computer, and the old games didn't work with it, so bought this.My granddaughter loves to play Go Fish when she comes over,and she was ticked to death to see I bought it for the new computer. I enjoy playing Euchre myself, so these games get a lot of use.

Hoyle Card Games 2003
Euchre:
I basically play euchre when my phone line is tied up.Otherwise I play on Yahoo!

Overall, Hoyle isn't too bad, but I find that even on the "advanced" setting, your partner is too timid, mostly by failing to lead trump on your call or order.However, they often order up from first with 2 bowers and no support, when they could have had 3 or 4 trump by passing for "next".

Also, 1st chair never donates.

Unrealistic loners, the computer often takes trick 1 with trump or off Ace, and properly leads the Right, but then leads offsuit to give the opps a chance to stop the loner.Even when holding JJ9, AK.

Pinochle:

In viewing the meld, you gain additional information that can be used later in the gameplay.The computer never makes use of this.Say your P in double-deck has 3 aces of diamonds (which you only know after the fact) and you make diamonds trump with a run (so the computer should know you have the 4th ace).You lead the Qd.Your P should play the 10 of diamonds and lead back at least 2 ace of diamonds before playing other suits.

Also, in the bidding, if you are in a game to 3550 and both teams have around 3000, you cannot count on your P to bid even if you have no marriage yourself.This is very frustrating because you now have to bid a lot more.I think it is so the player can have the glory, but I want the computer to play with the understanding that you must bid to win.

Canasta, Go Fish, Old Maid, You Name It!
The Hoyle Card Games are really great! There are many characters you can play against in the different games, with different personalities. The facemaker isn't as great as some other Hoyle Games, but I got used to the difference quickly. The only other negative is that only one person can play the gamesat a time, because otherwise you could see each other's cards. This is a really great game, though! I give it a thumbs up!

Hoyle Card Games 2003
I am satisfied with most games except for Bridge, the main reason I made the purchase. The players take far too long to respond and even longer to play their cards. It is so bad that I never even play bridge!
In hearts, the players make inappropriate comments when playing the queen of spades.
In gin rummy, you don't get a good look at the cards when the game is over.
Overall, the older versions are better for both the games and the characters. I look forward to reviews for the 2004 version to see if there is any improvement before I think of buying it! ... Read more

Features

• vices.

Reviews (37)

It knows what you have in your hand!
This game is OK for the basics, but don't expect anywhere near a real experience here. I can't tell you how many times I get beat on the last card, with just one higher card, say a 9 high to my 8 high. Always with only one card higher! That's not real. Plus, too many of the players are idiots, while a few are otherworldly lucky. It's nothing close to a random draw, and that's what you need for a real experience.

This toy is so fun!
I first played this toy at my friends house and thought, "How fun!"Of course then I wanted the game for myself.When I bought it, I played every game and loved it right away.This game rocks!

Card Games is Great !It's from the experts.
Hoyle Card Games is a great way to learn the finer points or learn a new game all together.This CD is free of bugs; the graphics and audio are very good.Hoyle are well-known rules experts.

have to learn all over again
It takes some time to get used to the fact that you have to play it with the CD in.

Puzzle Game
I read the reviews and was thrown for a loop because 99% of the complaints were talking about card games.I was looking for review of the puzzle games and I found only a few.Puzzle is outstanding, addictive, fun, relaxing and frustrating.What more can you want? ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

When Alexey Pajitnov, creator of Tetris (one of the most addictive games of all time), designs a new puzzle title, fans everywhere perk their heads up and take note. While it's not quite up to the irresistible standard set by its legendary predecessor, Microsoft's Pandora's Box: Puzzle Game of the Year Edition was named Puzzle Game of the Year by the Electric Games website, and offers hours of nonviolent, uncomplicated enjoyment through its 10 different types of puzzles.

Nearly all of the Pandora's Box conundrums resemble the traditional jigsaw puzzle, though you'll find plenty of visual twists, such as sliding pieces on a circular plane or having to solve a puzzle built on a complex 3-D object. Some deviate from this formula, but the most addictive puzzles follow this model, and those provide the most extended--and replayable--diversions.

For those overwhelmed by complex computer games, Pandora's Box: Puzzle Game of the Year Edition offers a simplistic interface and basic rules, easing computer novices into the puzzle environment. This edition features 40 new puzzle games, as well as the original 350 puzzles from the original Pandora's Box. There are five difficulty levels, plus various hints and wildcards that remove the frustration factor when you're unable to complete a particular puzzle. Looking for new puzzle games to replace your Tetris addiction? Check out Alexey Pajitnov's engrossing Pandora's Box: Puzzle Game of the Year Edition. --Doug Radcliffe ... Read more

Reviews (32)

A Puzzling Experience.
Loved the game. Still do. I have played it many times before, just to get a better understanding of the different puzzles included in the game, and also to try and better my personal scores. If there is a better puzzle game out there, I would like to see it. It has kept me captivated hours on end each time I open up a new account for play, and I will keep playing it for years to come for that reason.

A computer game for people who don't play computer games
Pin ball makes me grit my teeth, other computer games are either too violent, too complicated to figure out how to play or too juvenile. But Pandora's Box is the exception. It's the game for lovers of geography, art, history, mythology and for jigsaw puzzle lovers. The graphics are stunning, the music, while not the best feature, lends the right note, changing from African drums to a Caribean beat to pomp & circumstance depending on what parts of the world your game takes you. If you don't want to keep score you can also solve the puzzles on their own. This is my second copy and I hope Microsoft brings out a third installment with new puzzles.

A computer game for people who don't play computer games
Pin ball makes me grit my teeth, other computer games are either too violent, too complicated to figure out how to play or too juvenile. But Pandora's Box is the exception. It's the game for lovers of geography, art, history, mythology and for jigsaw puzzle lovers. The graphics are stunning, the music, while not the best feature, lends the right note, changing from African drums to a Caribean beat to pomp & circumstance depending on what parts of the world your game takes you. If you don't want to keep score you can also solve the puzzles on their own. This is my second copy and I hope Microsoft brings out a third installment with new puzzles.

Most intriguing
...

I had played it at a friend's house, and enjoyed it immensely.
A young student and I spent hours just having fun with it.Each puzzle opens up a new dimension.A new way to look at a problem to solve it.

Encourages thinking and problem solving.
I don't know why Microsoft discontinued it, but I found it to be most thought provoking.
Mr. Gates, get it back out there.

Give me more!
Our family has delighted in playing this game for several years.We've enjoyed the variety of puzzles and the various challenges offered at each of the levels.And beyond that, we've enjoyed the photography and art that is featured in the games.I have looked in vain for other computer games that are as enjoyable...until I saw that there is a millenium edition of Pandora's Box with 40 more games.I am so disappointed that I can't find a copy that I plan to search for a used one.After 7th Guest and 11th hour games were exhaused, we revelled in Pandora's Box.I long for more of these challenging types of computer games. ... Read more

Features

• Actual SeaWorld attractions and rides; free play or challenge mode
• Play as park manager and design the entire theme-park layout
• Construct and maintain new attractions; hire and fire staff; collect admissions
• 1,000s of options including roller coasters, water rides, and shows
• Animal browser with information on animal habitat, feeding habits, and more

Reviews (1)

Not as fun as I thought
I expected this to be a lot of fun, but it isn't.There's no real guide to the game, so a lot of the little details (how to raise the beauty rating, park rating, buildings broken down, descriptions of different buildings--what they do, etc) has been left out.Freeform is kind of nice, but you can't practice raising the beauty rating.Scenarios are ok, but the intermediate scenarios are a lot harder than they should be.If you really like a challenge, this is for you.But I was expecting a little more. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

"It's about nothing." --George Costanza, Seinfeld

Rarely has a game had so much hype: the cover of a national newsweekly, articles in every newspaper from L.A. to New York, comments that The Sims Online--or TSO for short--will save PC games from console-game encroachment. The Sims earned such attention because the concept was brilliant. The Sims was less a game and more a fun software toy, with no way to win. The Sims Online follows the same formula. Unlike other online games, TSO was specifically designed to not have traditional rewards such as gold, power, or magic items. There are no levels to attain, or princesses to rescue. Instead, players take joy in little victories--maybe your Sim cooperates with others, and all four of you manage to bake a pizza without burning it and then sell it. Or maybe you throw a party, and all the cool kids show up and have a good time. The core reward for playing the game is nothing... nothing more or less than the joy of playing.

Unlike the original Sims, where you created a number of Sims and controlled them all as a god, in TSO you create and control only one Sim at a time. This is a significant change, as you can't direct one Sim to perform a time-consuming task and then switch to another Sim until the task is complete. Instead, if you want your Sim to do anything in the game, you have to watch him do it in tedious real time (the fast-forward button, so vital in the original Sims, is gone). For example: when your Sim is sleeping, you have to sit and watch him sleep for the five minutes it takes him to refresh. This real-time aspect is excruciating. The game designers probably thought that a group of ten people, while watching their Sims work out in an exercise room together, would alleviate the boredom of watching Sims pump virtual iron by striking up a conversation (the chat aspect gets a lot of comment from TSO designer Will Wright). The problem is that unlike a chat room, where a topic or passion is already shared by everyone in the room, the only thing a player has in common with other folks in TSO is that everyone is watching their Sims power up. Such basic commonality doesn't spark quality conversation. The best you can hope for is some idiot inevitably commenting "nice grunt" or making some other silly sexual innuendo (often with *%$^@*# fake words generated by the much-needed obscenity filter).

If you're willing to put in the time, there's still the issue of paying month-by-month to access your Sim. For this reason, word of mouth, which caused The Sims to rocket from obscurity to the Best-Selling PC Game of All Time, is working against TSO. Casual game players loudly criticize the idea of paying for both a game and a game service, despite the fact that many of these same players are comfortable shelling out hundreds of dollars for cable, magazines, TiVo, and other monthly subscription-based entertainment services. The overall trend toward pay-per-month-of-play service is generally accepted by the hardcore gamers who play dynamic online adventure games like EverQuest, where gamers can see their monthly tribute at work in the form of fancy new spells and labyrinths. But TSO is a quietly suburban diversion for mostly casual gamers, filled with objects that are mundane by design. In TSO, you putter, you work out, you chat with others in the real world via your avatars. To put it another way: you live a slightly zanier version of everyday life, and frankly, that costs a lot already.

TSO still has the core elements that made the first game a classic: obsession with the minutiae of daily life, amusing content from the game designers, and the mind-bending thing that happens when you've been playing too long--that the real world starts to look exactly like The Sims. (Couch shopping caused that surreal "Is it Sims, or is it real?" experience for a friend.) TSO may still prove to be the Goliath the media predicted it would be thanks to the nature of ever-changing online games. Ironically, the monthly fees that bother so many new TSO players will pay for the improvements those same players crave. For example, EA plans to release new functionality that will allow players to design clothes and objects (a big hit with players of the original Sims).

TSO is fluid, and the game reviewed as it is at launch may be very different from TSO in a year, when the designers are able to respond to player requests. Even until that time, there are good things about this game. When your character is "greened up," dressed in disco finery and looking to hit it lucky with the dice, TSO can be a blast. But the tidal wave of hype may have done more harm than good for a game that has a simple, Seinfeldish heart. --Jennifer Buckendorff

Pros:

• Gameplay similar to The Sims
• Wide variety of social interactions, including a deep menu of dance moves
• Persistent online world lets you share the Sims experience with others

Cons:

• Lack of fast-forward feature is a drag
• At launch, too few in-game money-making opportunities
• At launch, game world seems empty--there's not enough to do
• Players of The Sims, used to easy money through cheat codes, may balk at having to actually work for in-game cash

Reviews (212)

3/10- Still Not Good
Ok I played it during the summer and might I say its the worse expiernence ever.I do have to say this game "HAS POTENTAL"The game designers can make it work.They just need to get off their lazy ass and create something desent. Short and simple well wait another year to probally go back

Sims Online is really fun...
I was pleasantly suprised when I played this game, normally I am more of a RPG guy, but this ame is crazy.A lot more creative than I was expecting.I loved it...getting it for the kids as an x-mas gift...

Making Magic vanising items
Has anyone have the same problem as me?After installing Making Magic, my iguanas and love birds dissapeared. I have also lost the ability to go to the comunity lots. Please e-mail me if there is a solution

It's much improved now
Many many changes have been made since the inital release.This should've been the version that was initially rolled out.More changes to come!

Mindless Chatroom with a few game elements thrown in!
TSO was and still is HUGE disappointment. Its merely achatroom with a Sims theme and ITS NOT WORTH the cost. I recently cancelled after foolishly paying for months of what is essentially a giant Sim Chatroom with some game elements thrown
to give the casual player the false assumption that they are playing an actual game when in fact they're only participating in an interactive chatroom.

Why can't Electronic Arts spend more time on making a really good game or two, rather than making a below average to horrible animatedchatroomthat has little to offer? ... Read more

Product Description

FIFA 2004 ... Read more

Features

• Complete, authentic FIFA soccer action
• Off the Ball control system
• Very smooth player movement and control
• Build your franchise and guide your club to the Championship
• For one or more players using LAN or Internet connection

Reviews (39)

disapointment
My first Fifa game was FIFA 96, and, every 2 years, I buy another. After seeing FIFA 2003 at a friend's house, I was really looking forward to the 2004's issue. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!!

The game is really slow; you almost have to shout for them to run; it keeps crashing during the match; the menus are some of the most confusing and useless I've ever experienced... Well, I hope EA Sports learns a lesson and puts the level of excitment (which was present on the others) back on the game, especially during the match: too slow, too complicated, not worth it.

The only good point are the new leagues.

Sorry EA, but get a clue!!!
I was so excited to get this game for my b/day, but was heartbroken when it wouldnt load on my computer. I learnt that EA is one messed up company! I called 7 different EA customer support lines before i actually used a voice changer to make my voice sound like a big man, not a kid. But anyways, the gameplay is horrendous! The fouls are totally unrealistic, you can go head on and slide tackle from behind, with not so much as a comment by ally mccoist on the refs contacts. (more on the voices later). But if you do the normal tackle, 80% of the time, you get some cheap foul called on you. And when i watch the replay, i see that my player came nowhere close to touching the other player. This really bites in online play, which isnt all that great. The off the ball control is pointless, because if you move a player open, once you send a ball to him, he gets magically covered! As for all the new leagues, that is a piece of crap! The all new leagues are like the minor leagues for the FA and Mexican league. They have 3 english practice squads! There is no international tournament that i have found, and you cant use real madrid in the club championship, because there is no club championship. Now my last irratation is the announcers. not to be rude, but what happened to the randy hahn, and brandi chastain. Its really hard to understand Ally Mccoist during gameplay, his scottish accent is so thick, it just sounds like a blur. I think this could have been a decent game, but the gameplay, menus, and overall rushed feel of the game ruin it. Id check out Winning Eleven 7, Its worth the extra 10 bucks. The lesson here, you get what you pay for!

Not worth it at all
I own 2003 and 2002 and this is a disgrace for a good line of soccer games. The menu is horrid, the gameplay is so slow and way to complex to be any fun. Not very supportive of hardware and had to go to alot of trouble to get it to work. Does not work in DVD drives. No controller custom config. This game is so crapy I would not recomend it to anyone, and im considering writing EA because they usually put out a good product. Waste of 20 bucks

Horrible game
There are many reasons why this game deserves a 1 star.The only reason why I did give this game a 1 star is because it has player names and a numbr of leagues.The graphics are weak, stats do not compare to other EA titles like Madden.Control of the players could have been better.

Unpolished product with hyper-aggressive copy protection
This refers to version 1.1 (patch 1.1) of the PC version of FIFA 2004. Maybe later versions are better?
First I could not get this game to run at all on my computer. EA's support pointed me in the wrong direction telling me that the my graphics card was not supported although I wrote them that the demo had worked fine.
After many hours of experimenting, surfing and exchanging the disk in the shop where I bought it, I finally found out that the aggressive copy protection used by EA prevented the game from loading on my DVD drive.

Thank God I found a hack on the Internet (nocd patch) that allowed me to run the game at all.

Next bad surprise: FIFA 2004 had beend advertised to have a controller configuration in patch 1.1. This is ridiculous: You can only configure the KEYBOARD! The default button layout for my joystick is very inconvenient, no fun at all to play like this. I bought another joystick (Saitek P2500) just for this game, but it was not properly supported either. Before you run out to buy the (only?) supported joypad for this game, a Logitech Dual Action Game Pad, read the reviews at Amazon about it: Unfortunately this joypad seems to have serious problems with the analog sticks at the time of this writing. I hope Logitech will fix this.

Bottom line: No way out for me. Invested about 50 hours to get this game to work properly for me without success. What a waste of time and money! I hope they will add proper joystick support in patch 1.2. Until then this game is useless if you do not like to control a football/soccer game with the keyboard.

It is obvious that this game was rushed out the door instead of giving the development team the time to do their job properly. Shame on the management and marketing of EA! ... Read more

Product Description

Players will control every position on their team, including three Chasers who try to score with the Quaffle, two Beaters who control the dangerous Bludgers, the Keeper who protects the goal, and the Seeker who chases the elusive Golden Snitch that must be caught to end the match. ... Read more

Features

• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Genre: Sports
• Mission: Take to the air in the game that allows players to experience the magical speed, power, and competition of Quidditch; the favorite sport of Hogwarts School for Witches and Wizards
• Platform: Windows 98/Me/2000/XP

Reviews (23)

Lot's of fun
QWC is the only Harry Potter game that you don't have to worry about the story. It is only Quidditch. I think that World Cup is frusterating,but Hogwarts is extremly fun. Some of the special moves are really creative. There is a lot of stuff that you have to work hard to get. However, the quidditch cards can be annoying.

Pretty Good!
Harry Potter Quidditch World Cup has great animations. You can play as Griffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Japan, Geneology, Hoodlums, Boxers, ect. It is crap

Harry Potter Quiditch Easy World Cup
This game is kinda fun; in multiplayer. But the inadjustable AI level makes it to EASY. In perspective just unlock everything and then just play multiplayer.

BOTTOM LINE
Only buy this if you have relatives willing to play.

Good, but could have been better!
I was so excited when this game came out because I thought it will be very fun just like how quiddich should be but after I tired it at home it was just okay to me. I don't know about you but I am a huge HP fan so I don't know why this game wasn't so appealing to me as I thought it would be. I like the graphics and stuff in this game but if I were you, I would rather buy the Harry Potter 1, 2 or 3 computer game instead of this one. I mean, they have quiddich in them too just not so much like this one. It really irrates your eyes when you stare at the screen for so long chasing the snitch.

It's a good game but could been better.

An out of control game
This game is really fun and has good 3-D appearances, but sometimes when you are flying it sort of goes out of control. For example, you're flying up the field and you're aiming for the goal hoop opposite the keeper and you're about to shoot the quaffle through the hoop when you're player suddenly passes the quaffle towards the other team and the other team catches it without you controlling the pass. It just does it by itself. It can make you lose a game easily and instantly. ... Read more