Plot: What’s it about?
Minute to Win It is of course based on the popular television show, in which contestants have sixty seconds to perform tasks that seem simple, but rarely are. The show’s quick segments and varied tasks seemed to have potential in the video game realm, especially given the Kinect’s sensor tech. The game includes 20 mini-games based on some of the show’s own tasks, with some side missions instead of commercial breaks. These side missions provide a nice change of pace, since they’re more relaxed and less demanding than the main show tasks. I found the games to be quite fun, though of course a wider selection would have been nice, since there is some repetition. But the tasks are still fun and brisk enough that you’ll want to return to them in order to better your previous efforts. The sensor is put to good use, as your movements are tracked in precise fashion and you’ll never be frustrated due to poor motion recognition.
For fans of the show, Minute to Win It recreates the television experience quite well. This starts with the voice and likeness of host Guy Fieri. He is present in avatar form, which is kind of cool and the players are also shown as their unique avatars. I love being able to play as my avatar in games, so I was pleased with the inclusion of that feature. It might be a small touch, but it does a lot to make you feel more involved with the experience. The set design mirrors the television show as well, with a detailed stage and accurate blocking elements. So from a presentation perspective, Minute to Win It does a wonderful job of making it look and feel like you’re part of the real show. If you’re a fan of the show or just love mini-games, Minute to Win It can be a lot of fun and makes a terrific social game for parties and other gatherings. Up to four players can take part in the games, which sets up a nice “top that score” kind of light competition. That can lead to some hilarious moments, as people try to make sure they’re in first place. As someone who really enjoys games that bring people together, I give Minute to Win It a rock solid recommendation.
Video: How does it look?
As the game’s visual design is centered on avatar use, the graphics have a fun, colorful, cartoon kind of presence. The game looks good, but the style choice means it doesn’t look cutting edge, per se. But being able to use avatars enhances the experience and the visual design is fun to watch. The set looks good and fans of the show will appreciate the level of detail put in to ensure the game mirrors the show’s atmosphere.
Audio: How does it sound?
The sound design is solid, but suffers from repetition. The music is fun at first, but there needs to be more tunes to cycle through, as the theme song is a little annoying after a while. The same holds true of the voice work, which repeats itself rather often in an extended session. On the plus side, you’ll be so focused on your tasks and the rounds go by so fast, you won’t be too concerned with the repetition most of the time.
Supplements: What are the extras?
N/A
