When you feel like playing cards and find
yourself all alone, don't fret! Grab your favorite munchies and drink, settle
yourself down in front of your computer, and pick your favorite of 15 popular
card games from the Bicycle Card Games menu!
Newly released by Microsoft for 2002, Bicycle
Card Games features 12 rather unique characters to oppose or partner with you
when you play. These animated characters range from an animated paper clip
appropriately named Clippy...to a private detective by the name of Peter...to
Mildred, a somewhat bossy grandma type.
Bicycle Card Games is a collection of 15
different card games that will appeal to people of all ages, from children to
adults. Included in this collection are Bridge, Canasta, Cribbage, Gin Rummy,
Hearts, Spades, Solitaire, Pinochle, Card Match, Crazy Eights, Spite and Malice,
Whist, Oh Hell!, Old Maid and Go Fish.
There may be only one version of the card game
you choose to play but some of the games offer a variety of versions from which
to choose. For example, when accessing the Solitaire menu, you will find 15
different versions to play like Baker's Dozen, Klondike and Pyramid, to mention
a few.
This title offers a wide variety of game options
that you can set the way you want. General game options offer a huge selection
of both card fronts and backs from which to choose, including classical designs
to wild and funky motifs! You can choose the type of music you want to hear
while you play or you can choose to turn the music off. Pump up the volume for
music, voices, and sound effects or turn them down or off.
Adjustments for the skill level for both you and
the other characters can be set for Beginner, Intermediate or Expert. You can
even select random settings for a variety of game play.
Bicycle Card Games sports fairly nice graphics
in bright, bold colors. The animated characters are interesting though not
particularly extraordinary. Some of the animated clips are quite good.
In the sound category, this title does quite
well. There is a nice mix of music, a variety of sound effects and character
voices are well done. While I can't pinpoint any spectacular innovations here,
the blend does make for a pleasant atmosphere.
I had no problems with game play itself. There
is smooth transition from game to game and hand to hand. The game speed can be
set at low, medium or fast.
I played almost every card game more than once
and some a number of times. Having done this, I did notice a couple of
discrepancies within the Pinochle game menu that I feel should be addressed.
Namely, the deal does not pass after each hand as described in the game rules,
which affects the way bids and game play should be done. Additionally, there is
an occasional miscalculation of the automated meld scoring that doesn't seem to
occur every time you play. I could find no consistency of occurrences which I
find hard to explain.
Since this is a new game, it does not appear in
the Microsoft Game Support listings on the web and I found no patches for
Bicycle Card Games there either. I hope that these issues will be addressed in
the near future.
I personally enjoy games that can be played
without having the game CD in the CD Rom and this title can be played without
doing that. I should note that I opted for a full install which is my normal
way of doing things.
Bicycle Card Games is appropriately rated E for
Everyone.
Minimum System Requirements include: Windows
95/98/2000/Me/XP, Multimedia PC with a 133 MHz or higher processor (200 MHz
recommended), 16MB RAM for Windows 95/98; 32MB RAM for Windows Me; 64MB RAM for
Windows 2000; 128MB RAM or Windows XP, 100MB of available hard disk space, 50MB
of available hard disk space for swap file, 2X CD ROM, Super VGA monitor capable
of 800x600 resolution, Audio board and speakers recommended, and Microsoft mouse
or compatible pointing device.
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Reviewer's Scoring Details |
Install: Easy.
Gameplay: 7.0.
Although this game demonstrates easy transition from game to game, hand to hand,
and individual game menus, the issues I noted within the Pinochle game were
significant enough to lower the total score of this category by one full point.
Graphics: 8.0.
While there is nothing particularly innovative here, this title sports nice
graphics.
Sound: 8.0.
Microsoft has combined a very nice mix of music, sound effects and character
voices which makes for a pleasant ambiance while playing.
Difficulty: 5.0.
This game should be fairly simple for
any user with basic computer skills to use. Reading and comprehending the game
rules raise the difficulty rating to the mid-range of 5.0.
Concept: 6.0.
Bicycle Card Games is a little better than the average for this type of game but
sports nothing outstanding or innovative that would boost this score to a higher
degree.
Multiplayer: N/A
Overall: 6.5.
I should say upfront that I love card
games and find it refreshing to be able to play when I'm in the mood and no one
else is around. Having said that, however, I cannot find a reason to recommend
Bicycle Card Games to a higher degree. It lacks any innovative or new twist
that would set it apart. Sorry, Microsoft but I have to call it like I see it.
