As a pack-in title with Kinect, Kinect Adventures could either be completely terrible (as some mini-game collections are) or pretty decent (like Wii Sports). Adventures is the latter, being a decent game that serves more to show off some of what Kinect can do in a family friendly environment.
Motion gaming has stormed the planet since the Wii launched. Who would have thought that a system with less power, less graphical prowess, no dvd player and a stick for a controller would catch on? Sony and Microsoft have both aimed to capture a slice of the pie and Microsoft has done so with Kinect, a device that captures your every movement; without a controller. Kinect Adventures (like Wii Sports) is a collection of mini-games aimed at a casual audience as opposed to the hardcore that Microsoft typically aims at (I don't see Viva Pinata 3 anywhere, do you Halo Reach?).
In Kinect Adventures, you'll control your Xbox Avatar through 5 different mini-games. Adventure mode starts you off easy and new variations of each mini-game are unlocked as you progress. A word of warning though; when Kinect asks you if your feeling tired or sore, you may want to take a break. It's my belief that so far, the Kinect is cardio in disguise. I've never been so sore in my life the day after playing a video game all night. Some of the games are pretty easy, like a racketball-ish game (smash wood blocks and targets with a ball) and plugging leaks in an underwater glass box (the fish and crabs of the ocean are trying to drown you!!). The white water rafting mini-game and Reflex Ridge are where your going to destroy your body. Rafting takes alot of quick movements and jumping. Doesn't sound hard? You try it then. Reflex Ridge is worse although it's probably the most fun. Dodging obstacles in various courses reminds one of the tv show Wipeout and it wears you out.
Visually Kinect Adventures is the best out of all other mini-game games. Using the power of the Unreal Engine, that isn't much of a surprise.
Kinect is very accurate at capturing your movement in game, however sometimes your onscreen avatar has a tendency to freak out when you make awkward movements. It doesn't interrupt the game but usually it's just weird or a little funny. Stepping out of Kinect's range doesn't interrupt the flow either as Kinect will merely guide you back in to where you need to be. Facial recognition also plays a part as it can tell who among your friends and family are currently at the helm.
As you progress through Adventure mode you'll unlock all the different variations of each game for Free Play. You'll also unlock a great deal of items your Avatar can wear out of game and virtual "living" trophies that you animate with your movements and give voice using the Kinect's voice features (with hilarious results). You can upload these trophies to the web but unfortunately, they only stay up for a few weeks. You can keep them on your game however for as long as you like. Kinect also like to take pictures of you in awkward positions as you play the game. You can view these pictures from the menu as you please, favorite them and laugh at your friends/family for looking so silly.
Kinect Adventures also touts online play which is basically the same as playing side-by-side, except no one is beside you. The game succeeds in being a fun little family title, but there isn't much staying power with it. A few more full fledged mini-games would have been nice and a little less aches and pains would have been lovely (like I said, cardio in disguise).
I give Kinect Adventures a solid 3/5. It's rated E for Everyone.
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