EyeToy: Play

"You've never seen anything like this before!"

The videogame industry is rife with horror stories about the untimely demises (demese?) of console add-on hardware. The Atari keypad, the Sega CD and 32x, and the N64DD are just some examples of how console gamers have expressed their disinterest, even disdain, at these products. Maybe it's the console philosophy that you only need to buy purchase hardware once, after which it's bombs away with the games! No fuss, no muss (this is in direct contrast to the PC gamer mentality of eternal hardware expandability). Actually, the only expansion hardware that ever really clicked was the unreleased Super NES CD-ROM add-on once known as the Play Station X (or PSX). Therefore, it seems only fitting that Sony has of late been pushing hardware add-on's like crazy. In one short year, they've released the Network Adapter, the Hard Drive, the USB Headset, and just recently, probably the most groundbreaking console add-on, the EyeToy.

Presentation:
The EyeToy is basically a webcam that connects to your PS2 via one of the USB ports. Like most console add-on's, there is no need to load a driver. After attaching it (preferably right on top of your television), you just stick in the game, then it's on to the fun! The game that comes free with the Eyetoy is called simply, Eyetoy:Play. During the game's initial load, you will be asked to adjust exactly where the camera is facing. I guarantee the first time you see your own goofy face on the TV will be an unforgettable experience. When the menu appears, you will notice all the typical entries like New Game, Load Game, Options, etc. The interesting part, though, is that during the game, you will NEVER use your Dual-Shock's. That's right, drop that controller and stretch those limbs, because all menu scrolling and selection is done with your image on the TV. You can use your hands, head or even feet if you're that limber. You'll want to make sure though that your room is very well lit, and that the background behind you is light-colored (preferably white), otherwise the EyeToy may not register your movements properly. Fortunately, there is an option where you can adjust the camera for darker rooms, but the general rule is, the brighter the better.

Gameplay:
When I referred to the EyeToy as groundbreaking, I didn't mean technologically. The camera, after all, is just a very cool-looking USB webcam (although I'm not sure if just any webcam will do). What I meant was that here finally was a game where the player didn't need to know ANYTHING about video games to play. No X-button is for attack, no analog vs. digital control, no don't-mind-that-mysterious painting-it's-just-background-graphics problems. You only need to know one thing: how to hit things with your hands, head, elbows or other body part. Specifically, you use your image on the TV (captured via the EyeToy webcam) to make body contact with the graphics on screen. And what kind of games, pray tell, only require you to bonk things? Simply put, very basic ones. EyeToy:Play consists of 12 of these mini-games, three of which are my favorites.

Kung Foo is a game where you (or rather your image on screen) stands between two Chinese temples. As the game starts, ninjas (aren't these guys Japanese?) and other martial arts warriors jump you on both sides from the temples. Some are faster, some are slower, but the intention is clear. Smash them before they get to you! You can punch, elbow, or even headbutt their asses, and send them flying in the air (sometimes towards the screen with a very satisfying splat!). It's your chance to pose in your favorite cheesy kung-fu stance while fighting off the bad guys!

Rocket Rumble is basically Fantavision with a webcam. Waves of multi-colored rockets streak upwards into the sky. Mark as many same-colored rockets by simply touching them (while avoiding the other colors), then press down on the Wiley Coyote-style plunger at the bottom of the screen to detonate the marked rockets, before they fall back to the ground. The more rockets you detonate, the higher your score, and the more spectacular the fireworks display!

Mirror Time is an entertainingly frustrating (or is it frustratingly entertaining?) IQ test where green and red spots appear on screen. You need to hit the green ones and avoid the red ones. Simple enough. But what happens when the screen flips upside-down? Or becomes a mirror-image? Or flips upside-down AND turns mirror image? The green and red spots change positions, and as you get better, the time required for you to hit the green spots become less and less, until your brain is frantically computing spatial analysis like crazy. I'd like to say it's ''good simple fun'' but really, it ain't!

There are other mini-games that consist of smacking drums to a beat, or punching a boxer in the parts of his body that he's not blocking, and more. But the emphasis is clearly on having good simple fun (there it is!). Because of it's simple gameplay, novel concept, and appeal to your sense of vanity (''hey that's me!''), EyeToy:Play is probably the only game that can give Karaoke Revolution a run for its money in a party. And that's saying a lot!

A word of warning though. This game is only to be played in the company of friends (preferably drunk ones). After a few minutes of playing alone, the game gets a little pointless without other people to affirm your abilities (or lack thereof). It's like a pissing contest. Without other people, it's just pissing.

Graphics:
As expected, graphics are uncomplicated. Obviously, this game was not meant to appeal to your graphical fantasies at all. But another reason could be that the screen had to be simple enough for players who were potentially beginners (a key demographic, I believe, for Sony for this game) not to be confused. As it is, most of the screen is filled with you (the player) and the wall (or whatever) behind you, as captured by the camera. The rest of the space is sporadically taken up by some temples, rockets, or colored spots.

Audio:
Music is happy and lively. Honestly, that's all there is to say.

Overall:
No company has dominated the videogame industry like Sony has. Fortunately for us, Sony has put all that political weight into creating and publishing innovative games with previously unheard-of gameplay concepts like PaRappa the Rapper, Karaoke Revolution, and now EyeToy:Play. Hopefully, this will be enough to counter the dreaded console add-on jinx. With up and coming high-profile games like EyeToy:Groove (which is like Dance Dance Revolution and a webcam), and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the future looks very bright indeed for Sony and their little gizmo. For now, if you want a party game that avoids all the pitfalls of complicated game design, and zeroes in on fast, frantic, foolish, frivolous fun, EyeToy:Play is for you!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/18/04