• Review: Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures

    by
    Beatboxtaun
    Published on 09-30-2011 10:47 AM
    5 Comments Comments
    Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures



    Developer: Majesco Entertainment
    Publisher: Majesco Entertainment
    Platform: Nintendo DS
    Genre: Simulation-styled Mini-game
    Rating: Everyone
    Release Date: September 13, 2011

    Mama is back, in the latest addition in the Cooking Mama franchise, and is now bringing the action outdoors. Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures offers the players some outdoor activities and introduces new playable characters. So grab your marshmallows, sleeping bag, and mosquito repellant and go camping with Mama and Papa.

    Presentation
    Mama ditches the apron and gears up for the great outdoors. While there is no story on Mama titles, there are many activities she offers the player through mini games. Mama doesn't come alone for this venture, and is now joined by Papa. The player chooses to play as either Mama's son, Ringo, or daughter, Ichigo.

    The mode screen offers different selections. Choose to go through the Options and clear data, view credits, and more. The Books selection allows the player to view the various items that he/she unlocked or cooked throughout the game. It acts as the games encyclopedia. The Challenge mode gives the player the opportunity to improve their scores on the various activities that were performed throughout the game. The Explore selection is the game's main "story" gameplay option. Again, there is usually no real story to Mama titles, and the same goes for Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures. However, there is now an addition of exploration in Camping Mama that is experienced in this section.

    Graphics
    The iconic Mama character graces our screens and warms the soul. The simple cartoon feel is complimented by a colorful setting and characters. Cooking Mama titles have always been enjoyed for the fun and chipper graphics, that are simple, yet pleasing to watch.

    Sound/Music
    Cooking Mama games are not only known for their lovable mascot, Mama herself, but also for the cutesy music that fits the game. Mama is still voiced with the thick accent that we know and love. Her quirky phrases, "Wow! Give it up!" are added by Papa's encouraging phrases including, "Fantastic! You're giving Papa a run for his money." While Papa is not as engaging or iconic as Mama, his addition was a change up from the previous games in the franchise. However, it is still Mama's voice and phrases that will remain with the player, even when the game is not being played.

    Gameplay
    When going into the Explore mode, the player is greeted by an island. How Mama and her family ended up on an island is a bit odd, however, that is how the variety of settings are made possible. Offering settings like a forest, mountains, and seas, the camping action does not just take place at night, but there are plenty of activities that Mama and Papa have planned for the day, too.

    While starting on a level, the player begins on one side of the area, and must make their way to either Mama or Papa on the other end. The player begins with a heart meter, which is a first in the franchise, and it includes eight hearts. Along the way there are critters that present an obstacle in which the player must get passed without bumping into them. This will take a heart away from the meter. When all eight hearts are lost, the player must replay the level. There is a collection of different critters, from rabbits, wild boars, bees, bears, and more, so that it doesn't seem too repetitive. To assist the younger audience, a heart is not necessarily taken away from the player every time they bump into a critter. Some levels offer mini games of their own and if completed, they will receive a heart for doing so. Treasure chests are placed throughout the levels that offer hearts, items to decorate your camp with, or Explorer Badges, which serves as the game's personal achievements.

    Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures uses the stylus to complete the game. To guide Ringo and Ichigo, the player places the stylus on the screen to lead them in the direction they are supposed to go. The further the stylus is placed down on the screen, the faster the character will move. You can tap on bushes to move them out of the way or to find a hidden heart amongst them. Tapping some trees will offer some type of treat to get a stubborn critter out of the way and open a path. Mini games utilize the stylus in various ways from sliding, tapping, or even to draw a picture before a firework display ends. My favorite mini game was drawing the shape indicated on the top screen when a firework is launched. The shape must be completed as shown, before it explodes. Shapes include hearts, butterflies, spirals, and more, and the firework explosion will take the shape of the one you have drawn. Of course it wouldn't be a camp night without ghost stories. Mini games also include tapping the stylus on the picture that the pumpkin headed ghost will hold up, to match another. The inclusion of mini games such as these and making s'mores adds to the variety of activities that you would do when you are actually camping. Unfortunately the stylus did not always seem cooperative. When I was trying to slide the stylus up on the screen, to jump over boars, the character would sometimes not jump. This seemed to happen more so with sliding objectives. I would try it a bit harder and it would cooperate. Sometimes I would find that I had to wait for the character to complete his jump and do it again, as it would not always catch my command as the character was in midair.

    As mini games are completed, the player is awarded with metals, depending on how well the player completed the tasks given to them by Mama or Papa. A gold metal is given when the player receives a perfect score of 100. A couple of mistakes are forgivable by Mama and the player will still be given a silver metal. If the player didn't perform very well, they are still rewarded with a bronze metal. Once all the levels in a section of the island are completed, the player then opens up another part of the island to explore.

    Lasting Appeal
    Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures offers hours of enjoyment with 38 levels to complete and 100 new mini games. Even after the mini games are completed, I found myself wanting to get a gold coin on every task and going back and completing them again through the challenge mode. Even after that, the mini games are so enjoyable, the player will find themselves revisiting the ones that they had enjoyed the most.


    Conclusion
    The last installment in the Cooking Mama franchise does not fail to deliver hours of entertainment. While offering different elements, the game does not lose its charm. Introducing an explore mode on a Mama title was a great way to change things up and the omission of extra critters would make for a more enjoyable time for a player of any age. More activities throughout each level would also add to the lasting appeal of the game. The elements of education, rather than just offering fun mini games, is a great way to get your little one thinking - for instance, tapping on lady bugs in the order of how many dots are on its back. The game is a solid $29.99 purchase and offers good, clean fun.

    New to the Cooking Mama franchise, or a long-time fan, Camping Mama: Outdoor Adventures is the perfect pick-up-and-go game for any gender and any age.

    Score:
    8.0/10
    Comments 5 Comments
    1. Gusto's Avatar
      Gusto - 11-30-2011
      Even better than mama! Great work taun, I've always enjoyed mama titles.
    1. ecchiSKETCH's Avatar
      ecchiSKETCH - 11-30-2011
      What can't Mama do?!
    1. Gusto's Avatar
      Gusto - 11-30-2011
      @ecchi, help the sales of the 3DS
    1. Beatboxtaun's Avatar
      Beatboxtaun - 11-30-2011
      @Gusto thanks, babe! And wait a gosh darn minute....okay, maybe she hasn't, but that's why she's jumped ship to iOS.
    1. Alex "SageMode" Rayon's Avatar
      Alex "SageMode" Rayon - 12-01-2011
      I've never played a Cooking Mama game, maybe I'll try this one out.

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.