Hoyle Card Games 2005

"A very solid decent game"

Hoyle game fans around the globe rejoice! Once again Hoyle games has pulled yet another gaming sector of fun out of it's sleeve and this time it's Hoyle card games! In Hoyle card games you the player partake in a variety of card games from old maid, go fish, to poker, rummy or bridge. The games in and of HCG themselves follow traditional rules and there are many unlockable features that you the player can get after accumulating "Hoyle bucks" which include new background music, create-a-portrait accessories, even card deck designs.
I this review I'm going to cover graphics, sound, features and miscellaneous additions that I feel are important and add or detract from the game.

Graphics(6/10): The graphics in HGC2005 are what I consider substandard for most games but in keeping up with Hoyle games appearance they do substantially well. With other games I would have issues with such graphics, however, with games that are geared towards games such as card games, I rarely find anything to gripe about with graphics. In fact they are quite colorful to a degree, and the create a portrait options are varied and fun. Facial expressions are somewhat present, however, that usually entails a raised eyebrow here and there but nothing special.

Sound(8/10): I am going to have to say, this is the most sound I've heard in a card game ever, but I for one have not much to complain about. The sounds are as realistic as one can have with a card game, the sound of shuffling, playing the cards and whatnot have as much detail as they really can, which is much to them. The atmospheric music, and voices however, are quite enjoyable for the most part. The other players talk to each other and yourself in regards to the game, and you as the player can also chose to talk nice or trash to another player, and while this has little effect on the game, does make for some nice stress relief especially when your hand was all planned out and said opponent crushed your hopes and dreams, well deserving of a trash talking, or even a pie in the face. The background music is alright, most musics are catchy and ambient, however some can be repetitive and annoying, up to ones tastes I suppose.

Features(9/10): For a card game this game has all the features I'd be able to think of really, every card game I know is in there, with tutorials for each. Some features are much smaller, like having preferred players that will appear from game to game as well as being able to pick players yourself during the game as it is. Lots of customizable features are available like being able to chose the music, as well as a ton of create a portrait features too. I would give a 10/10 for this, however it looses a point merely because most card gamers would simply enjoy a card game without those features anyway. (A friend of mine has a blackjack game that is 138k and in 4 colors, and he finds it quite suitable).

Miscellaneous(8/10): Very decent miscellaneous additions add season to an already good game. These additions include Hoyle Bucks, which one earns during the games that can be used to purchase things such as backgrounds, portrait accessories, to new portraits altogether! The other characters in the game have personality and will talk from time to time during the game to strike up conversation and whatnot. The small things that are put into this game really do add up to it.

Overall I recommend this game for anyone looking for a decent addition to their pc. With all the games included your sure to find a favorite and if not then at least you have a few games on there bound to keep any member of the family entertained. Enjoy

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 12/27/04