Really good party game that makes perfect use of the SIXAXIS motion sensing on the PS3 controllers.
The motion sensing feels just like it should. You have to grip the controller in a certain way so that your thumb is on the X button (so you can decide on the positioning of the character and the direction of the ball) and your little finger and second finger have to be on the L2 and R2 buttons (so you can add spin when you throw the ball, which I thought was particularly clever). When you swing your arm back and forward to actually bowl the ball, you are determining the power you put into your throw and the spin at the same time, which takes a certain amount of skill to get just right. Some people say that it is disappointing that the character does not move at the same time you do, but I don't think that this would work in the same way.
The characters all have different stats on power, accuracy and spin everyone can have a different character that suits their style of play. The balls also have different grades for the amount of spin you can put on them, and with every ball you win, this stat gets better.
The challenge mode is the main mode in the game, where you can unlock new characters, character clothes and new bowling balls. To win the characters, you have to beat the character you are about to unlock in one bowling game which usually takes one or two tries depending on your average score, but the characters sometimes seem to allow you to catch up when you are behind, making it slightly easier than necessary. Unlocking the clothes is the easiest part - you have to complete a series of trick shots, some with obstacles, but even if you don't complete all of them, you pass the challenge for 'participation', which I thought was pretty dumb. Lastly, you have to complete a bowling tournament, which means you play three games of bowling and you are up against all the other characters. If you have the highest overall total, you have completed the event, but this gets very hard during the later stages. The range of top scores from the first to the last of these challenges is probably around 120-250 points and I got stuck on these almost every time. Every time you do a new one, you really have to up your game.
You can also play with up to four players in the same room as you, and when you have unlocked all the characters, this can be very fun. I was a bit disappointed that the game does not have online multiplayer, and it doesn't seem that they are going to add this feature any more.
The actual gameplay is amazing for a £5 game, and this is what makes it well worth the money.The graphics are good and suit the game just right with some minor problems with the pins simulation and the characters are very creepy looking. The sounds that come from the characters are even creepier, but I think this was the idea from the start and they make a good job of setting the right atmosphere. The music in the background is barely noticeable, but you can change the track to whatever you want on your hard disk. Overall I am still thoroughly enjoying this game and it has made sure that I will buy plenty more games from the PlayStation Network.
Add me as a friend on the PS3 if you liked this review! My PS3 ID is supersonikk, and I will kick your ass =)