EyeToy Play 2 Australia 2Screenshots   The Final Say! Gameplay 9.0 Graphics 7.2 Sound 7.5 Value 8.5 EyeToy Play 2 - reviewed by Andrew B  Review Date: November 2004 Review Score 8.5/10  Distributed By: Sony

EyeToy was easily the PS2 hit of 2003 which not only featured an entertaining game but also brought gamers directly into the world of gaming by making them actually part of the game itself with a device that simply just plugged into the USB port on your PlayStation 2. EyeToy Play 2 goes one step further and once again reunites gamers with the EyeToy camera but this time the games have been changed to include a variety of new party games that must be seen to be believed. EyeToy Play 2 boasts over 12 new games which includes over 75 mini-games and in order to play this game, you will need the EyeToy camera that can either be purchased separately or by purchasing the original EyeToy game bundle. Unlike the previous instalment, EyeToy Play 2 has come leaps and bounds since its predecessor and the games are more streamlined and entertaining with the option of allowing up to four players to join in. As with the original game, kids will simply adore this title and if the adults have some friends over for a few beers, then this is what makes gaming fun. The developers of EyeToy Play 2 boast some impressive new features that take gaming to the next level via the USB EyeToy and the built-in microphone. These new features include motion-cam detection that basically monitors the players to ensure that their hits are aimed at the right direction in the game. This is a much needed addition to the game because the old motion-detection of some of the previous games were a little to be desired at the best of times. MiniVision is also a new feature which basically transforms the player into the game itself by miniaturising them into the gaming world so instead of using your upper body to play, you must now use your entire body and all I can say is that you better have a big room for this new feature. This feature is used heavily in GoalAttack. Cutout-Cam although a little buggy in some places allows EyeToy Play 2 to basically superimpose a background in your room that really helps immerse you into this 3D world. This helps get rid of unwanted "players" and background objects such as paintings and lounge chairs. SonicCam is another improvement to the EyeToy gaming world that basically allows you to yell at your EyeToy in order to make something move harder. Although parents should be wary because this one can get on everyone's nerves and my six-year old nephew was no exception. Highly recommended to children under 10 or drunk adults! The last new feature of EyeToy Play 2 is the SpyToy that basically turns your PS2 into a security system and records any movement in your room. Unfortunately we don't have the PS2 hard drives readily available in Australia which would of made this an extremely useful addition.

As mentioned before, EyeToy Play 2 comes with a variety of games that includes Kung 2 that is basically a karate game where players must destroy a variety of objects and defeat a plethora of deadly ninjas. The beauty of Kung 2 is that players can now use their voice to inflict more damage to their punches, thanks to the SonicCam feature.

Secret Agent is another game that basically forces players to freeze in silly poses in order to avoid security guards that although does sound a little repetitive is fortunately full of little mini-games to help spice things up. BubblePop is the new instalment of wishi washi that is aimed at the younger generation and forces players to pop blue bubbles and avoiding the red bubbles on the screen.

MrChef forces players to become a full-time cook and once they have an order, they must use their own guile to fulfil the order before another order comes in. It's an awesome little game because the gamer must make a plethora of things from hamburgers to milkshakes.

Monkey Bars is probably my least favourite game and basically re-enacts King Kong's climb but backwards and requires great skill and patience. D.I.Y is another personal favourite of mine which has the gamer doing some home improvements and contains a variety of mini-games such as knocking trees into mulchers or hammering nails into walls. It's also great for destroying houses too!

HomeRun is basically virtual baseball and is actually a very entertaining game that requires players to hit home runs and then run to the appropriate base. GoalAttack forces the player to become a goalie for a soccer team and they must use their entire body to help deflect the ball from the goal and if this won't get you fit than nothing will. Table Tennis, another active gameis extremely entertaining but I must admit that it does become a little tiresome because of the difficulty of the game itself but once you have mastered it, it's great fun. Players must use their hands as bats in Table Tennis to defeat their opponents. The last two games are called Drummin' and AirGuitar that must be seen to be enjoyed. I'm sure all of us have used an air guitar or air drum before.

The gameplay of EyeToy Play 2 is a little bit of a hit and miss as was the original game for the EyeToy but fortunately these new game are 100% better than its predecessors and literally takes the EyeToy to the next evolutionary stage in gaming. Graphically, EyeToy Play 2 is a little bland in some places but remembering that the gamer is part of the virtual world really improves the graphics of the title. Fortunately, depending on the light, the camera can make quite a mess of the player if the lighting is not taken into account. There are also a variety of special effects and some amazing colour schemes that will easily make this game the Christmas hit of 2004 for gamers of all ages.

Once again, Sony has implemented an extremely cute and sometimes annoying soundtrack into EyeToy Play 2 with a variety of sound effects and also some lame character acting that fits this title perfectly.

In conclusion, if you have never owned the EyeToy before than I would recommend that you purchase this bundle because it's probably the most fun you will have on your PlayStation 2 when you have a group of friends around or have young children. Check it out!

- Andrew B