M1

M1- Learners review the appeal of the game to the target audience and comment on the quality of the gameplay. They offer a personal recommendation of the game they have reviewed and offer realistic ratings for different aspects of the gaming experience.

Below I have featured my personal recommendation of the game ‘virtual families’ and commented on how well the gaming experience was for me, using the provided ratings for each aspect of the game. For instance, when on the game, I observed how well the graphics have been created, along with accessibility, innovation, lifespan and the gameplay as a whole. Following this I was able to rate the game overall, which gives a clear idea to future gamers of how well I found this game as a whole. This can give a clear indication from a player’s point of view, of whether it is advised to purchase the game or not.

 

Graphics

32%

The graphics in this game, as briefly mentioned above, are poor. This gives the game an overall effect of appearing unfinished, due to its numerous defects displayed. For example, the majority of the screen is unclear due to poor graphics, with characters even being able to walk through or into objects when moving around the house. The graphics in this game affect the game drastically, due to the fact that as previously mentioned, the game appears unfinished.

 Gameplay

67%

The gameplay in Virtual families gives it an extremely addictive nature. This is due to the overall theme of the game, which is very similar to the Sims. For example, you are able to build relationships and start up new families, which ultimately makes you wish to return to the game repeatedly, to continue checking on your virtual beings.

Accessibility

44%

The accessibility of this game to download is easy, as it is displayed on the App Store as “free to download”, although it may require in-app purchases, whenever you feel necessary throughout the game. However, it may be argued that for new players, the accessibility of getting to know the game is a struggle. Despite having a brief tutorial presented in the beginning of the game, you are then left to figure out how to complete numerous tasks without any guidance.

Lifespan

56%

The lifespan of this game could ultimately be regarded as continuous, due to the idea of starting up new families repeatedly, although the novelty of this wears off as it eventually becomes common and repeated. For example, when a family dies you are able to “adopt” a new being and start up a new family, though doing this continuously can become familiar and boring.

Innovation

27%

Although this game has been designed thoroughly with many new aspects, a lot of the items and the overall theme in fact, displays many similarities with the Sims game. It may not be the case that this was aimed on purpose, however it may put game players off, that almost the entire game is meeting the same outcomes in which you would aim to do when playing the Sims.

 

I decided that based on the ratings I have given for each category, the overall rating for the game is 72%. This is quite a high rating, meaning that other possible players will look at my rating and will be advised to purchase it as a result. However, this is my personal view only, and so others may disagree with my rating and see the game as weak.