Viva Pinata is back for a 2nd go around. The sequel improves the game, making it the best in series Real
Viva Pinata 2 comes with a actual story this time around. although its not very good. Basically the Ruffians have deleted every Pinata on record. So now you have to collect all the pinata data and restore the files. By doing this you will have to send pinatas to parties all over the world. Each pinata will need to get the Candiocity metor at max. This can be done by giving them a joyous candy, buying them clothing to wear, or in some cases watering them with you watering can. Some pinata's enjoy it, while others won't so be careful who you water. Some missions will simply getting the pinata to the location. While others may contain a certain variant of Pinata, or even have one wearing a certain item of clothing.
Viva Pinata 2 generally plays the same way as the original. You start with a little patch of soil, and from there you build a garden. You can put in fences, pathways, statues, and houses. Along with that you can plant flowers and trees. Having these can bring different species of Pinata in your garden. You start off small with creatures like Worms, and bunnies. As you progress through a natural cycle of gaining better and better pinata's you will come across species like Rhinos, Tigers, Elephants, Lions and other elegant rare species. Meeting the different requirements for appearance, residents, and romance are all different for each individual Pinata. For example, amount of a certain flower, or eating a favorite food, or even eating another Pinata!
The sequel comes with new things to buy in the shop, the biggest change is brand new surfaces. In the old game you had Long grass and short grass. Now you can have Sand, and Snow surfaces. having these will attract Desert and Arctic types of animals like Camels, and Penguins.
Instead of having an arctic or Desert animal appear like every other Pinata, In Viva Pinata 2 you will have to literally travel to 2 different locations. These places are Called Dessert Desert, and Pinartic respectively. Here you will have to capture a pinata by setting a trap, with there favorite seed or fruit. Then you will have to transport them to your garden where you need to meet the resident requirements like normal. Overall this a great new feature since the original always made you feel confined into one little area.
The challenge in Viva Pinata will generally come by the ruffians. These creatures are the most annoying things you will come across. Basically they will come to your garden and cause havok. Most of the time you will have to take them while they destory prized Pinatas, Cause fights, fill up ponds, or get Pinata's sick. In the original game you could by a captain Cutlass which will get rid of all Ruffians for good. However in Viva Pinata 2, that will only get rid of the Minions. The Ruffian Leader, Professor Pester will not be fazed by your feeble attempts to rid of him this time. Instead you have a few options. You can pay him Chocolate Coins which depending on the amount will get rid of him. If you have a Rhino he will attack him and he will fly out of your garden. You can also buy a decoy pinata which will fake him out and not destroy your best Pinata. Or you can simply take his Evil and watch your hard work be destroyed!!
Viva Pinata also comes with Online co-op that you and a friend can play over Xbox live. The Original only had item sharing. This adds a much needed online interaction that was missing in the first Viva. Along with that comes a new feature made for Non-Online gamers. Its a new 2 player mode, where a 2nd player can jump in and out of play and help with the garden. This feature was made probably for the younger kids, having an adult or older sibling help a younger player with there garden. However this is also a great way to get 2 skilled farmers to work to together. My only gripe about this is how the camera works. You have little control so it greatly effects your freedom in that way.
Viva Pinata Trouble in Paradise also has a brand new "Free Play" mode where you get rid of all the challenge and do what ever you please. Its a great mode for those who just want to chill and not worry so much about keeping care of a garden. Its a small addition , but a fun one.
Another small addition comes in the lines of "Party Animals" like Mini games. There are two little games where you put your pinata in either a race of Beauty contest. These are very small add ones, but never the less cool add ones. Just another thing to do if you need a little break from farming.
Viva 2 comes with more pinatas, more seeds, a slightly bigger garden (believe maybe same size), a real story , more challenge. The biggest addition to this game would be the Pinata Vision Camera. Viva 2 is compatible with the Xbox Vision Camera. So what you can do is now scan cards using the camera, and put them directly into your garden. You can get cards on the internet, and print them out via computer. This adds a whole different way of getting pinatas.
Overall Viva Pinata improves on the original in almost every way. Its hard to be more innovative with a Viva Pinata sequel since the game is already "set in stone" so to speak. However what is here is great. Along with the new pinata and items, modes, online play, and more user friendly item menu, making getting items and using them more streamlined. When its all said and done this is the best viva pinata yet, it touches up and improves every aspect of the game. There might not be any ground breaking new ideas like that first one, however what is here is great
Breakdown
Gameplay: The game is just as addictive. If you were the person who got hooked the first time, you will get hooked again. If you never played it before, don't wait now
Graphics: They look almost identical. The first game looked great, and so does this one
Sound: Music is just as great as before, along with sound effects. However many are recycled from the first game
Value: 40 bucks is a nice price budget price for the type of game like Viva Pinata 2. If you liked the first one it will be a well spent 40 bucks, same with those who never played it. If you have, well this one will not change your mind
Overall: Fans rejoice for another, please for those who wrote off the first game, give this one another chance. Don't judge the game by the look, the game is addictive and fun for any age group, this is coming from a 17 year old btw..