Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise

Viva Pinata sounds like a strange name for a video game but what is even stranger is the premise. You basically create a garden to attract pinatas in hopes to breed them and attract more. Even stranger then the name and premise of this game is how you will get so wrapped up in your garden and addicted to getting new Pinatas (just ask my wife).

Trouble in Paradise is supposed to be a sequel to the first Viva Pinata but I see it more as an expansion pack. In TIP there are a slew of new Pinatas and gardens to cultivate. Some new gardens take you to different environments like a snowy place and desserty place. Along with these new climates there are new Pinatas to go along with them. After that the game is basically the same as the first.

Its not a bad thing that they didn't change things but there are few things that still annoy, for example the camera. I would enjoy this game so much more if you could zoom way out and get a full look at your garden and be able to travel anywhere in it quickly. Instead you have to scroll all the way across your garden to smack a bad guy just to go all the way back across to water a tree.

Graphics and sound are again the same as the first game. My wife popped the game in for the first time and I said to her "Isn't this exactly what we already have?" But to her credit she probably says the same to me every year I buy a new Madden. Anyway the controls work pretty well other then navigating to far corners of your garden.

By far though the best part of this game is the Pinata collecting and trading. Its so satisfying to get a new variant or discover a new species. The first time you see a new Pinata visit your garden is always exciting. Theres also always a sense of glee when Seedos drops you a mystery seed. So don't let the silly nature and cartoony graphics push you away because this game in many ways is a diamond in the rough.

Pros: Great family game

Collecting is fun

New Pinatas and gardens

Cons: Camera issues

Professor Pester

As a Christian playing this game its great, theres nothing to worry about. No swearing, violence or anything of the sort. The only thing is that it can be hard to put down sometimes but as long as time limits are monitored there should be no problem.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Would Jesus Play this Game: Yes