Start the Party! Save the World

Start the Party! Save the World is an exclusive motion-controller title and the follow-on to Start the Party! A game that launched alongside the PlayStation Move back in 2010. The problem is this supposed sequel does little to move forward from the original and you could even argue it takes a few steps back with a collection of 20 mini-games that aren’t quite as fun as the first time around.

Save the World puts you in the game via use of augmented reality, either by placing you in the centre of the screen amidst all the chaos, or in an ambulance, spaceship or similar contraption as if you’re controlling it from within. It really is quite amusing seeing one’s self flying around the screen or sitting in a fishing boat trying to save further miniature versions of you from the clutches of electric squid and it’s these tid-bits that provide a level of personality to proceedings.

The major issue I have is that the first one worked because it was simple in its execution and explanation of the tasks at hand, whether you were colouring something in or bashing a large rock with an even larger pick axe. Here things are a little more complicated and tasks involve movements that are too precise for what is clearly a ‘come one, come all’ target audience. I can’t see somebodies grandparents or young children really grasping the concept of some of the games and I could see the boredom setting in rather quickly.

Something else that is a tad disappointing is the decision to remove the comical sequences between party rounds where you would get the chance to draw on an opponent’s face, or rerecord their sound bite that would pop up before each turn. The only improvement in this regard is your ability to now put your face into an actual character and not just a generic coloured square, although it’s a little underwhelming that there’s only four to choose from.

The game follows a vague story of Dr Terrible whose sole aim is to destroy the world and it’s your job to stop him in his tracks. It’s a simplistic concept with the right ideas, but the tasks aren’t consistent enough with the theme to hold any real merit. This lack of identity and depth brings its shelf life into serious doubt and instead of a fun budget-priced sequel you can bring out for parties and family get-togethers, it’s more of brief distraction that will hold little interest.

The fact that it only supports one Move controller is the icing on the cake and highlights just how little effort was put into turning this into the finished product. It’s a game that takes very few risks and has very little ambition. It doesn’t do anything new, original or even interesting for the ‘motion market’ and similar games for similar prices are where you should be looking. Start the Party? I couldn’t think of a better way to end it prematurely.

Craig Bryan, NoobFeed
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