Sierra Sports Game Room

If given the opportunity to build the ultimate family game room, what would you put into it? No, a computer for playing games doesn't count. We are talking about the good, old-fashioned games with tables that require room.

Sure, you would put a pool table in, and perhaps would have table tennis available. What about shuffleboard? Or Air Hockey? Maybe even a dartboard.

Sierra Sports has combined all those games, plus pinball, into its GameRoom for the PC. This is family-oriented fun that may prohibit multiplayer gaming on the same machine in some arenas of competition, but does have solid Internet backing for those games in which challenging a computer foe simply won't do.

The computer comes complete with computer foes that will offer inane comments, if given the chance. But the people foes can become downright annoying after a while. Actually the dog delivers the best video performance, and vocal acting. Thankfully, you can disable this feature and simply get down to the business of playing the games.

Speaking of which, let's break those down …

Air Hockey: If you really consider this game, it plays out like glorified Pong — not just in the computer version, but in real life as well. Sierra has done a very good job of recreating the feel of the game. This is a sub-program that only lets players compete against a computerized foe, or online. There is no multiplayer gaming on the same machine — and it is a matter of game being played from the single person perspective; which is much the same way as you see the game when really playing. You control a single paddle, set the difficulty level, and then try to angle, or zip, the puck past your opponent for the score.

Table Tennis: Again, you can set the difficulty level to get the right challenge, but instead of simply using the mouse to control the paddle, you must use two keys on the keyboard to help put spin on your shots. This game uses the same player perspective as Air Hockey, and is a single player game on the computer — unless you challenge someone online.

Pinball: This is a version of the 3D Ultra Pinball: Thrillride title that Sierra marketed in the latter part of 2000. The game is fun, bright and simple to play. This sub-program includes a special ‘lights out’ effect if you collect ten snacks (if you put the ball in Chocolate World, you get a snack).

Shuffleboard: This is a little tougher to master, simply because of the mouse movements necessary to slide the puck down the board. You left click and hold to bring up the power meter, then drag the mouse backward and quickly transition forward, releasing the mouse button before getting near the foul line. The game does allow players to practice the movement before taking on an opponent. There are a variety of options that can be adjusted (like sand density) and you play on a straight or backed table.

Darts: This game has the same control elements as shuffleboard, but is easier to master. In fact, if you have never played either game before in the computer setting, it would be better to tackle darts first, then move into shuffleboard once you have the control basics down. Games you can play include the ’01 variety where you try to score exactly 101, 301, et cetera points before your opponent does, cricket (eliminate certain numbers from the dart board) or Baseball. You can also choose between the standard dartboard and an electronic one.

Pool: This is Sierra Sports Maximum Pool, featuring solid graphics and aiming tools, and a nice three-dimensional feel. If there is one aspect about this game that seems slightly unreal, it is the level of the computer competition. On several occasions, after failing to drop a ball on the break, the novice computer foe ran the table. Yikes! This game does feature classic games as well as some unique approaches to a classic game.

GameRoom has terrific online support through the Flipside/WON Internet site – though some of the rooms for some of the games seemed a little bare at times. All the games are bright and colorful, and ideal for family gaming.

Jessica, a 12-year old who helped test the program, said, “It’s a really fun game. Some of my favorite games are air hockey, table tennis and pinball. What I like about them is that they are fun to play, and they give me something to do. The competition is not really that hard, but I’m playing at the easiest levels. It probably does get pretty hard.

“The graphics are really good, I think. I like it when you go into the game room and when you pick the games you want to play.”

GameRoom combines solid play, graphics and sound for an entertaining diversion. This game is rated for Everyone.

Install: Easy
This is a hybrid CD – which means it can be played on either a PC or Macintosh Power PC. The PC install only takes 100 megs of hard drive space while the Mac install is 95 megs.

Gameplay: 8
You do have to wade through a number of screens to get to the game itself, but once there, the program moves seamlessly through the game.

Graphics: 8.5
The game has a nice three-dimensional look, and is not only bright but colorful as well.

Sound: 7
The vocal characterizations of the computer opponents – with the possible exception of the dog – come across as superficial and trite. The musical score is reminiscent of a lounge and can get annoying after a while. Thank goodness the options package insures that players who don’t want to hear either of those things can turn them off.

Difficulty: 8
This program allows for a wide range of skill levels. The controls are fairly easy to master – with the possible exception of shuffleboard and darts, but practice in those games will allow players to play with a learning curve of perhaps 10 minutes.

Concept: 8.5
This is a very nice array of games that will attract players of all ages and interests.

Multiplayer: 7
Some of the game rooms, like for darts, were a little bare when checked, but once this game has a large fan base, that will change. The pool online rooms were full, and it is rather easy to get into a game.